A
- Abhinavagupta अभिनवगुप्त
- Kashmiri philosopher and poet (c. 950–1020 CE), the greatest teacher of Kashmir Shaivism; his Tantraloka sets out the non-dual Trika system. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Abhisheka अभिषेक
- Ritual bathing of the linga or image with water, milk, curd, honey, ghee and other offerings, accompanied by mantras. The most common act of Shiva worship. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Adi Kailash आदि कैलाश
- Peak in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, near the Tibet border; one of the Panch Kailash, with Parvati Kund at its foot and Om Parvat nearby. Sacred geography →
- Adi Shankaracharya आदि शंकराचार्य
- Teacher of Advaita Vedanta, traditionally dated to the 8th century CE; hymns to Shiva are attributed to him, and tradition holds he died near Kedarnath. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Adiyogi आदियोगी
- “The first yogi.” Shiva as the original teacher of yoga, who passed the knowledge to the seven sages. Forms and avatars →
- Agama आगम
- Body of scriptures that govern temple building, image making, ritual and worship. The Shaiva Agamas, traditionally 28, are the basis of Shaiva Siddhanta practice. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Aghora अघोर
- “Not terrible.” One of Shiva’s five faces, facing south, the face of dissolution and fierce grace; also the name of a mantra. Forms and avatars →
- Aghori अघोरी
- Ascetics of a radical Shaiva order who live near cremation grounds and reject ideas of purity and impurity, seeking to see Shiva in everything. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Akshamala अक्षमाला
- Rosary of beads, often of rudraksha, held by Shiva in many images; used to count mantras in japa. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Amarnath अमरनाथ
- High cave shrine in Kashmir holding a natural lingam of ice; the yatra ends on Shravan Purnima. Sacred geography →
- Ananda Tandava आनन्द ताण्डव
- The dance of bliss performed by Nataraja at Chidambaram, through which Shiva creates, sustains, destroys, conceals and reveals the world. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Andhaka अन्धक
- Blind asura born of Shiva’s sweat when Parvati covered his eyes. Impaled on the trishul, he repented and became a devotee. The great stories →
- Apasmara अपस्मार
- Dwarf of ignorance and forgetfulness crushed beneath Nataraja’s right foot. He is never killed, since knowledge must keep overcoming ignorance. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Ardhanarishvara अर्धनारीश्वर
- “The lord who is half woman.” Shiva and Parvati in one body, right half male, left half female, showing that Shiva and Shakti are inseparable. Forms and avatars →
- Arudra Darshan आरुद्रा दर्शन
- Tamil festival in the month of Margazhi, on the Thiruvathirai star, celebrating Nataraja’s cosmic dance, above all at Chidambaram. Festivals, vows and worship →
- Arunachala अरुणाचल
- Sacred hill at Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, worshipped as Shiva in the form of fire; site of the Arunachaleswarar temple and Karthigai Deepam. Sacred geography →
- Ashutosh आशुतोष
- “Quickly pleased.” A name of Shiva, who grants boons readily to sincere devotees, sometimes to the gods’ dismay. Forms and avatars →
- Atmalinga आत्मलिंग
- The linga of Shiva’s own self, given to Ravana and set down by Ganesha at Gokarna, where it is worshipped as Mahabaleshwar. The great stories →
- Avimukta अविमुक्त
- “Never forsaken.” Name of Kashi and its sacred zone, which Shiva and Parvati are said never to leave. Sacred geography →
B
- Basava बसव
- Twelfth-century Kannada poet, minister and reformer who shaped the Lingayat movement, rejecting caste and temple ritual for personal devotion. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Bhairava भैरव
- Fierce form of Shiva born of his wrath, who cut off Brahma’s fifth head. Guardian of cities and of the Shakti Peethas. Forms and avatars →
- Bhasma भस्म
- Sacred ash, especially from cow-dung fires or cremation grounds, smeared on Shiva and his devotees as a sign of impermanence. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Bhasmasura भस्मासुर
- Asura granted the power to burn anyone he touched on the head. Vishnu, as Mohini, tricked him into touching his own. The great stories →
- Bhikshatana भिक्षाटन
- Shiva as a naked wandering beggar carrying Brahma’s skull as his bowl, a form much loved in South Indian bronzes. Forms and avatars →
- Bhringi भृंगी
- Sage who worshipped Shiva alone, ignoring Parvati. Reduced to a skeleton and given a third leg, his story explains Ardhanarishvara. The great stories →
- Bilva बिल्व
- The bael tree, Aegle marmelos. Its three-part leaf, bel patra, is the favourite offering to Shiva, said to stand for his three eyes or the trishul. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Bol Bam बोल बम
- Chant of the kanwariyas as they carry Ganga water to Shiva, especially on the road to Deoghar in Shravan. Festivals, vows and worship →
C
- Chandesha चण्डेश
- Chandikeshvara, the Nayanar saint who became steward of Shiva’s possessions. His shrine stands beside the outlet of the sanctum in South Indian temples. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Chandrashekhara चन्द्रशेखर
- “Moon-crested.” Shiva wearing the crescent moon on his head, the gentle form in which he appeared at his wedding. Forms and avatars →
- Chidambaram चिदम्बरम्
- Temple town in Tamil Nadu where Shiva dances as Nataraja; the Panch Bhoota Sthalam of space, akasha. Sacred geography →
D
- Daksha दक्ष
- Prajapati, father of Sati, who insulted Shiva at his sacrifice. He also cursed Chandra to wane. The great stories →
- Dakshinamurti दक्षिणामूर्ति
- Shiva as the south-facing teacher seated under a banyan tree, teaching sages through silence. Forms and avatars →
- Damaru डमरू
- Small hourglass-shaped drum held by Shiva. Its beat is the rhythm of creation; tradition holds the sounds of Sanskrit grammar came from it. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Darshan दर्शन
- Seeing and being seen by the deity. The central moment of a temple visit or pilgrimage. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Dhyana ध्यान
- Meditation; also a verse describing a deity’s form, recited to fix the image in the mind before worship. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंग स्तोत्रम्
- Short Sanskrit hymn naming the twelve Jyotirlingas by region, recited morning and evening by many devotees. Sacred texts and hymns →
E
- Ekadasha Rudra एकादश रुद्र
- The eleven Rudras, storm-gods of the Vedas and later forms of Shiva; their worship gives the Ekadasha Rudrabhishek. Origins: from Rudra to Shiva →
G
- Gajasura गजासुर
- Elephant asura slain by Shiva at Kashi. Shiva wore his hide, becoming Krittivasa. The great stories →
- Ganas गण
- Shiva’s host of attendants: dwarfish, wild and joyful beings, led by Ganesha and Nandi. The family and the ganas →
- Ganesha गणेश
- Elephant-headed son of Parvati and Shiva, remover of obstacles, worshipped first before any rite. The family and the ganas →
- Ganga गंगा
- The sacred river goddess, caught in Shiva’s matted hair as she fell from heaven so that her force would not shatter the earth. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Gangadhara गंगाधर
- “Bearer of the Ganga.” Shiva receiving the descending river in his jata. Forms and avatars →
- Gauri गौरी
- “The fair one.” Parvati in her gentle, golden form; worshipped by women for a happy marriage. The family and the ganas →
- Gokarna गोकर्ण
- Coastal temple town in Karnataka where the atmalinga is worshipped as Mahabaleshwar; its name means “cow’s ear”. Sacred geography →
H
- Hara हर
- “The one who takes away.” A name of Shiva who removes sins and sorrows; heard in the cry “Har Har Mahadev”. Forms and avatars →
- Harihara हरिहर
- Image combining Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) in one body, half and half, showing their unity. Forms and avatars →
- Hartalika Teej हरतालिका तीज
- Women’s fast in Bhadrapada remembering Parvati’s penance to win Shiva as her husband. Festivals, vows and worship →
J
- Jaladhari जलाधारी
- The spouted base around the linga that carries away abhisheka water. Devotees do not step across its outlet. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Jalandhara जलन्धर
- Asura born from Shiva’s anger cast into the sea, invincible while his wife Vrinda kept her vow. Slain by Shiva. The great stories →
- Jata जटा
- Shiva’s matted locks, piled high, holding the Ganga, the crescent moon and often a serpent. Kalpeshwar honours the jata. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Jyotirlinga ज्योतिर्लिंग
- One of twelve shrines where Shiva is believed to have appeared as a pillar of light; Kedarnath is one. Sacred geography →
K
- Kailash कैलाश
- Mountain in western Tibet, about 6,638 m, the home of Shiva and Parvati; sacred also to Buddhists, Jains and Bon followers. Sacred geography →
- Kala Bhairava काल भैरव
- Bhairava as Lord of Time and the guardian, or kotwal, of Kashi, who rides a dog. Forms and avatars →
- Kamadeva कामदेव
- God of love, burnt to ash by Shiva’s third eye when he disturbed Shiva’s meditation. The great stories →
- Kannappa कण्णप्प
- Hunter-saint of Srikalahasti who offered his own eyes to the bleeding linga; one of the 63 Nayanars. The great stories →
- Kanwar Yatra काँवड़ यात्रा
- Shravan pilgrimage on foot in which devotees carry Ganga water in pots slung from a pole to pour on a Shiva linga. Festivals, vows and worship →
- Kapala कपाल
- Skull bowl held by Shiva as Bhikshatana and Bhairava, recalling Brahma’s severed head. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Kapalamochana कपालमोचन
- “Release of the skull.” Sacred pool in Kashi where Brahma’s skull fell from Bhairava’s hand. Sacred geography →
- Kapalika कापालिक
- Early medieval Shaiva ascetics who carried skull bowls and imitated Bhairava’s penance; the order has long since disappeared. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Kartikeya कार्तिकेय
- Six-faced son of Shiva, nursed by the Krittikas, who killed Taraka; called Skanda and, in Tamil, Murugan. The family and the ganas →
- Kashi काशी
- Varanasi, the city of Shiva, where death is believed to bring liberation. Sacred geography →
- Kashmir Shaivism काश्मीर शैव दर्शन
- Non-dual Shaiva philosophy of Kashmir, also called Trika, teaching that the world is Shiva’s own free self-expression. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Kedarnath केदारनाथ
- Himalayan Jyotirlinga in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, and the first of the Panch Kedar. Sacred geography →
- Khatvanga खट्वांग
- Staff topped with a skull, carried by Shiva in fierce forms and by Kapalika ascetics. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Kirata किरात
- Mountain hunter. Shiva took this form to test Arjuna before granting him the Pashupatastra. The great stories →
- Kirtimukha कीर्तिमुख
- “Face of glory.” Fierce face carved above temple doors, said to be a being created by Shiva that devoured itself. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Krittivasa कृत्तिवास
- “Clothed in a hide.” Shiva wearing the skin of the elephant asura he slew at Kashi. Forms and avatars →
- Kumarasambhava कुमारसम्भव
- Kalidasa’s Sanskrit poem, c. 4th–5th century CE, on Parvati’s penance, her marriage to Shiva and the coming of Kumara. Sacred texts and hymns →
L
- Lakulisha लकुलीश
- Teacher, perhaps of the 2nd century CE, honoured as founder or reformer of the Pashupata order; shown holding a club. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Linga लिंग
- “Sign” or “mark.” The rounded pillar that stands for Shiva beyond form; the main object of worship in his temples. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Linga Purana लिंग पुराण
- Purana devoted to the linga, its origin and worship, and to Shiva’s cosmology. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Lingayat लिंगायत
- Shaiva community of Karnataka, also called Virashaiva, whose members wear a small linga on the body; shaped by Basava. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Lingodbhava लिंगोद्भव
- Shiva emerging from a fiery pillar whose ends Brahma and Vishnu could not find; carved on the western wall of many Tamil temples. Forms and avatars →
M
- Mahadeva महादेव
- “The great god.” The most common name of Shiva across India. Forms and avatars →
- Mahakala महाकाल
- “Great Time.” Shiva as the destroyer of time; worshipped at Ujjain and, in Buddhism, as a protector. Forms and avatars →
- Mahamrityunjaya महामृत्युंजय
- Rig Veda verse 7.59.12, “Tryambakam yajamahe…”, prayed to Shiva for release from death and for healing. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Mahashivaratri महाशिवरात्रि
- The great night of Shiva in Phalguna (February–March), kept with fasting, night vigil and worship through four watches. Festivals, vows and worship →
- Manikarnika मणिकर्णिका
- The great cremation ghat of Varanasi, named after an earring said to have fallen into its well. Sacred geography →
- Mansarovar मानसरोवर
- Freshwater lake below Mount Kailash, said to have been born in Brahma’s mind; bathing in it is a lifelong wish of many pilgrims. Sacred geography →
- Markandeya मार्कण्डेय
- Boy-sage who clung to the linga when Yama came for him; Shiva kicked Yama away and made him ever sixteen. The great stories →
- Mudra मुद्रा
- Symbolic hand gesture in images and ritual, such as abhaya (fear not) and varada (granting boons). Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
N
- Nandi नन्दी
- Shiva’s bull, mount and gatekeeper. His image sits facing the sanctum, gazing at the linga. The family and the ganas →
- Nataraja नटराज
- “King of dancers.” Shiva dancing in a ring of fire, the cosmic dancer of Chidambaram. Forms and avatars →
- Nayanars नायनार
- The 63 Tamil Shaiva saints, c. 6th–9th century, whose lives are told in the Periya Puranam. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Neelkanth नीलकण्ठ
- “Blue-throated.” Shiva after drinking the halahala poison from the churning of the ocean, held in his throat. Forms and avatars →
- Nirvana Shatakam निर्वाण षट्कम्
- Six-verse hymn attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, each verse ending “Shivoham, Shivoham”, I am Shiva. Sacred texts and hymns →
O
- Om ॐ
- The sacred syllable, the sound of the absolute; Omkareshwar’s island is said to be shaped like it. Sacred texts and hymns →
P
- Panch Bhoota Sthalam पंचभूत स्थल
- Five South Indian Shiva temples each embodying an element: earth, water, fire, air and space. Sacred geography →
- Panch Kailash पंच कैलाश
- Five Himalayan peaks revered as Shiva’s abodes: Kailash, Adi Kailash, Kinnaur Kailash, Shrikhand Mahadev and Manimahesh. Sacred geography →
- Panch Kedar पंच केदार
- Five Garhwal temples where parts of Shiva as a bull appeared: Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar. Sacred geography →
- Panchakshara पंचाक्षर
- The five-syllable mantra “Na-mah Shi-va-ya”, the heart of Shiva worship. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Panchanana पंचानन
- Shiva with five faces: Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Ishana. Forms and avatars →
- Parikrama परिक्रमा
- Walking clockwise around a shrine or sacred place. Around a Shiva linga it is often a half-circle, turning back at the jaladhari. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Parvati पार्वती
- Daughter of the mountain, Sati reborn, wife of Shiva and mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya. The family and the ganas →
- Pashupata पाशुपत
- Oldest known Shaiva ascetic order, associated with Lakulisha, whose members sought freedom by imitating Shiva. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Pashupatastra पाशुपतास्त्र
- Shiva’s irresistible weapon, given to Arjuna after the contest with the Kirata. The great stories →
- Pashupati पशुपति
- “Lord of creatures.” An ancient epithet of Rudra, lord of all bound souls (pashu). Origins: from Rudra to Shiva →
- Pashupatinath पशुपतिनाथ
- The great Shiva temple of Kathmandu, Nepal, on the Bagmati river. Sacred geography →
- Periya Puranam पेरिय पुराणम्
- Twelfth-century Tamil work by Sekkizhar telling the lives of the 63 Nayanar saints. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Pradosh प्रदोष
- Twilight on the thirteenth lunar day of each fortnight, sacred to Shiva; the Pradosh vrat is kept with evening worship. Festivals, vows and worship →
- Prasad प्रसाद
- Food or other offerings blessed by the deity and shared with devotees as grace. Shaiva traditions and saints →
R
- Rudra रुद्र
- The fierce “roarer” of the Rig Veda, god of storms and healing, from whom later Shiva grew. Origins: from Rudra to Shiva →
- Rudrabhishek रुद्राभिषेक
- Abhisheka of the linga while the Rudram is chanted; a central rite at Kedarnath and many Shiva temples. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Rudraksha रुद्राक्ष
- “Eye of Rudra.” Seed of the Elaeocarpus tree, worn in malas and said to have formed from Shiva’s tears. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Rudram श्री रुद्रम्
- Vedic hymn to Rudra from the Taittiriya Samhita (4.5 and 4.7), in two parts, Namakam and Chamakam; also called Shatarudriya. Sacred texts and hymns →
S
- Sadashiva सदाशिव
- “Ever-auspicious Shiva.” The five-faced supreme form in Shaiva Siddhanta, above the other aspects of the god. Forms and avatars →
- Sati सती
- Daughter of Daksha and Shiva’s first wife, who gave up her life at her father’s sacrifice; reborn as Parvati. The family and the ganas →
- Shaiva Siddhanta शैव सिद्धान्त
- Major school of Shaivism rooted in the Agamas and the Tamil hymns, dominant in South Indian temple worship. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Shakti शक्ति
- Divine power and energy, personified as the goddess; Shiva’s inseparable partner. The family and the ganas →
- Shakti Peetha शक्तिपीठ
- Seat of the goddess where a part of Sati’s body is said to have fallen; each is guarded by a Bhairava. Commonly counted as 51. Sacred geography →
- Shankara शंकर
- “Giver of welfare.” A name of Shiva; also the name of the philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. Forms and avatars →
- Shiva Purana शिव पुराण
- Major Purana devoted to Shiva, divided into samhitas; the main source for his stories, forms and worship. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Shiva Sutras शिव सूत्र
- Seventy-seven aphorisms of Kashmir Shaivism, said to have been revealed to Vasugupta in the 9th century. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Shiva Tandava Stotram शिव ताण्डव स्तोत्रम्
- Rhythmic Sanskrit hymn describing Shiva’s dance, traditionally attributed to Ravana. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Shivaratri शिवरात्रि
- Monthly night of Shiva on the fourteenth day of the waning moon; the greatest is Mahashivaratri. Festivals, vows and worship →
- Shravan श्रावण
- Monsoon month (July–August) sacred to Shiva, the time of the Kanwar Yatra and the Shravan Somvar fasts. Festivals, vows and worship →
- Shvetashvatara Upanishad श्वेताश्वतर उपनिषद्
- Late Vedic Upanishad, dated by scholars to before the common era, that first presents Rudra-Shiva as the supreme god. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Skanda Purana स्कन्द पुराण
- The largest Purana, rich in pilgrimage lore; its Kedara and Kashi Khandas describe Himalayan shrines and Varanasi. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Somnath सोमनाथ
- First Jyotirlinga, at Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, where Chandra was freed from Daksha’s curse. Sacred geography →
- Somvar सोमवार
- Monday, Shiva’s day. Many devotees fast on Mondays, especially the Mondays of Shravan. Festivals, vows and worship →
- Svayambhu स्वयम्भू
- “Self-born.” A linga believed to have appeared naturally, not made by human hands, such as Kedarnath’s rock. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
T
- Tandava ताण्डव
- Shiva’s vigorous cosmic dance, sometimes of joy, sometimes of destruction. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Tapas तपस्
- “Heat.” Austerity and penance that build spiritual power; Shiva is the great ascetic and Parvati won him by tapas. Shaiva traditions and saints →
- Tevaram तेवारम्
- Tamil hymns of the saints Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar, sung in Shiva temples and praising 276 shrines. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Trinetra त्रिनेत्र
- Shiva’s third eye in the middle of the forehead, the eye of wisdom whose fire burnt Kamadeva. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Tripundra त्रिपुण्ड्र
- Three horizontal lines of sacred ash drawn across the forehead by Shaiva devotees. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Tripurantaka त्रिपुरान्तक
- Shiva as destroyer of the three flying cities of the asuras with a single arrow. Forms and avatars →
- Tripurari Purnima त्रिपुरारी पूर्णिमा
- Kartik full moon remembering Shiva’s victory over Tripura; celebrated with lamps as Dev Deepawali at Varanasi. Festivals, vows and worship →
- Trishul त्रिशूल
- Shiva’s trident, whose three prongs are read as the three gunas, the three times, or creation, preservation and dissolution. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Triyuginarayan त्रियुगीनारायण
- Village temple near Sonprayag where Garhwali tradition says Shiva and Parvati married before an ever-burning fire. Sacred geography →
U
- Uma उमा
- An ancient name of Parvati, found already in the Kena Upanishad as a wise goddess. The family and the ganas →
- Upamanyu उपमन्यु
- Boy-sage whose devotion won an ocean of milk from Shiva; later taught Krishna Shiva worship in the Mahabharata. The great stories →
V
- Vachana वचन
- Short Kannada prose poems of the Lingayat saints such as Basava and Akka Mahadevi, addressed directly to Shiva. Sacred texts and hymns →
- Vasuki वासुकि
- King of serpents, coiled around Shiva’s neck; he served as the rope at the churning of the ocean. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Vibhuti विभूति
- Sacred ash given as prasad and worn on the forehead; the word also means divine glory. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
- Virabhadra वीरभद्र
- Fierce warrior born from Shiva’s matted hair to destroy Daksha’s sacrifice after Sati’s death. Forms and avatars →
- Vishwanath विश्वनाथ
- “Lord of the universe.” Shiva of Kashi, worshipped in the Jyotirlinga temple of Varanasi. Sacred geography →
- Vrinda वृन्दा
- Faithful wife of Jalandhara; tradition holds the tulsi plant grew from her. The great stories →
Y
- Yoni pitha योनि पीठ
- The base on which the linga stands, representing Shakti; together they show the union of Shiva and Shakti. Iconography: reading an image of Shiva →
