Shiva is one of the three main deities in Hindu religion. He is the personification of the mode of ignorance, although he is transcendental to the modes of nature. Followers of Lord Shiva are called shaivaites. He's also known as "Mahadev", the great God. Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism form the three main denominations in Hinduism.

Vishnu represents the mode of goodness, Brahma is associated with passion, and Shiva with ignorance. Collectively they are known as the Trimurti where Brahma is the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer.

Shiva is also manifested in a stone form known as the Linga. In pictures he can be seen dancing at the time of destruction or fully absorbed in meditation. Shiva is a great devotee of Sri Krishna. He is always immersed in meditating on the lotus feet of his Lord. Due to his compassionate and devotional service to Lord Krishna, Shiva is known as the best of vaishnavas in the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Lord Shiva is also known as Ashutosh, one who is easily pleased. Lord Shiva appeared as Dakshinamurti to impart knowledge to the four Kumaras. Being compassionate, he appeared in flesh and blood to help his devotees and relieve their sufferings. His pastimes and activities are recorded in the Tamil Puranas like Shiva Purana, Periya Purana, Shiva Parakramam and Tiruvilayadal Purana.

Shiva is referred to as the "good and auspicious one". As Rudra, he is considered to be the destroyer of inauspiciousness. As Shankara, he is the doer of good. Shiva is 'tri netra' or the three-eyed. He is most popularly known as the one who drank the poison of destruction that came out from the ocean of milk when the demigods and demons were churning it to get nectar. By drinking that poison to save the world, he became known as "Nila Kanta", the blue-throated one, for he keeps the poison in his throat. That is what makes it blue. And to cool himself from the effect of that destructive poison, Shiva wrapped his neck with snakes as cold as ice. As Nataraja, he is the Divine Cosmic Dancer. At the time of destruction Shiva dances the tandava to destroy everything

He is very merciful. He destroys the ignorance in the heart of those who approach him with proper motives, especially vaishnavas. He has the power to deliver one at the lotus feet of his Lord, Sri Krishna. He is the protector of religious acts and his carrier is a bull, the symbol of religion. Finally, Lord Shiva is very austere.