Shiva - one of the major Hindu deities. He is the supreme being of sheffith doctrine and one of the main traditions of contemporary Hinduism.

Shiva is known as the "destroyer" in trimurti, a Hindu Trinity that includes Brahma and Vishnu. In the tradition of shaikism, Shiva is the supreme being that creates, protects and transforms the universe. In Hindu tradition (known as "legalism"), the goddess or Devi is considered supreme, but Shiva is revered as Vishnu and Brahman. It is said that the goddess is everyone's energy and creativity (Shakti), while sati is the equal and complementary partner of Shiva. He is one of the five equivalent gods in the traditional panchayatana puja of Smarta Hinduism.

According to the Sharif sect, the supreme form of Shiva is the invisible, infinite, transcendent and unchanging absolute Brahman, as well as the primitive atman (soul, self) of the universe. Shiva's description is both kind and frightening. In terms of benevolence, he is described as a knowing yogi who lives a life of asceticism in Mount Kailash and lives with his wife Parvati and his two children Ganesha and kartikeya. In his ferocity, he is often depicted as killing demons. Shiva, also known as adiyogi Shiva, is considered the patron saint of yoga, meditation and art.

The symbolic features of Shiva are the snake named vasuki on the neck, the moon decorated with crescent moon, the Ganges river flowing from the shaggy hair, the third eye closed on the forehead, Trishula or Trident and damaru drum as weapons. He is usually worshipped in the funny form of Lingan. Shiva is a pan Hindu deity, widely respected by Hindus in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and some parts of Pakistan.