Who Is Lord Shiva? The Story, Symbolism and Divine Nature of Mahadev Introduction   Among all the divine forms worshipped in Sanatan Dharma, Lord Shiva occupies a unique and deeply revered place. He is Mahadev, the Great God; Mahayogi, the supreme ascetic; Neelkanth, the blue-throated Lord; Nataraja, the cosmic dancer; and Bholenath, the compassionate Lord who is easily pleased by sincere devotion. Read about the major incarnations of Lord Shiva   Lord Shiva is in Fierce form AI image  Explore: which leaves and flowers are offered to Lord Shiva. Yet Shiva is not a deity who can be understood through a single description. He is both the great ascetic and the loving family man. He is associated with both creation and dissolution, with silence and cosmic dance, with terrifying power and extraordinary compassion. He lives on Mount Kailash yet is equally worshipped in simple temples and humble homes. His appearance itself seems to contain a collection of mysteries: matted hair...