Ishvara

Ishvara is the personal form of the supreme, formless Brahman, manifesting as the cosmic controller. In Shaivism, Ishvara is Shiva who governs the universe with divine will and compassion. While Parashiva is the unmanifest absolute, Ishvara is the aspect that engages with the world — creating, sustaining, and dissolving it.

The Lord of Manifestation

This concept bridges the gap between the formless Absolute (Brahman) and the personal God who can be worshipped and related to. Ishvara is the source of divine order and cosmic law.

"He is the one God, hidden in all beings, all-pervading, the self within all beings, the overseer of all actions, the dwelling of all beings, the witness, the knower, the only one who grants liberation."