Mahadeva
महादेव
The Great God
Cosmic & Philosophical
Description
Mahadeva represents the all-powerful, compassionate, and supreme form of Shiva who pervades and governs the cosmos. Worshipped as the protector of Dharma and destroyer of evil, he is the one who holds together the cosmic law and guides souls toward liberation.
Meaning
The Great God
Essence
Mahadeva represents the all-powerful, compassionate, and supreme form of Shiva who pervades and governs the cosmos. Worshipped as the protector of Dharma and destroyer of evil, he is the one who holds together the cosmic law and guides souls toward liberation.
Cosmic Functions
Srishti (Creation)
Sthiti (Preservation)
Samhara (Destruction)
Tirobhava (Veiling/Obscuration)
Anugraha (Grace/Liberation)
Significance
Represents Shiva in his most complete and accessible saguna (with attributes) form, embodying all his powers and aspects. This is the form most commonly revered in Puranic lore and worship.
Symbolism
Master of Time and Death
Supreme Yogi and Ascetic
Lord of Creation and Destruction
Merciful and Just
Embodiment of all aspects (Rudra, Sadashiva, Parashiva)
Iconography
Elements
Third Eye (knowledge and destruction)
Blue Throat (Neelakantha – from drinking poison)
Ash-smeared body (renunciation)
Serpent Ornaments (ego conquered)
Tiger Skin (power over instincts)
Crescent Moon (cycle of time)
River Ganga (purity and life-giving flow)
Philosophical Context
shaivism schools: Shaiva Siddhanta,Kashmir Shaivism,Pashupata Shaivism,Nath Tradition
core idea: Mahadeva represents Shiva in his fully engaged, relatable, and benevolent form — accessible to devotion, meditation, and philosophical inquiry. He is the bridge between the unknowable Absolute (Parashiva) and the living world.
Scriptural References
Shiva Purana
Linga Purana
Vedas (especially Rudram, Yajurveda)
Mahabharata (Shiva Sahasranama)
Upanishads (Kaivalya, Svetasvatara)
Mantras
ॐ नमः शिवाय
महादेवाय नमः
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
Worship & Rituals
Associated Forms
Rudra
Parashiva
Sadashiva
Panchabrahma
Nataraja
Ardhanarishvara