Talk:Shiva

Featured picture scheduled for POTD

Hello! This is to let editors know that File:6 Śiva and Pārvatī seated on a terrace. 1800 (circa) BM.jpg, a featured picture that is used in this article, has been selected as the English Wikipedia's picture of the day (POTD) for April 6, 2026. A preview of the POTD is displayed below and can be edited at Template:POTD/2026-04-06. For the greater benefit of readers, any potential improvements or maintenance that could benefit the quality of this article should be done before its scheduled appearance on the Main Page. If you have any concerns, please place a message at Wikipedia talk:Picture of the day. Thank you!  — Amakuru (talk) 20:51, 31 March 2026 (UTC)

Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism and the supreme god in the tradition of Shaivism. Worshipped throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia, he is an amalgamation of various older deities into a single figure. Alongside Brahma and Vishnu, Shiva forms part of the Trimurti, in which he is known as the "destroyer", although in many traditions he also creates, preserves and transforms the universe. He is depicted as both an ascetic yogi and as a householder with his consort Parvati and his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya. Shiva's iconography includes the trishula (trident), the third eye, the damaru, the serpent king Vasuki, the crescent moon, and the river Ganga flowing from his hair. Usually worshipped in the form of the lingam, Shiva is regarded as the patron of meditation, yoga and the arts. This painting depicts Shiva and Parvati seated together on a terrace at night, with iconographic elements including skulls, snakes, and the Ganga flowing through his hair. The work was painted around 1800 on paper in bodycolour and gold, inlaid with pieces of iridescent beetle carapace, and is now in the collection of the British Museum in London.

Painting credit: unknown

Recently featured:

• Nadar
• Painted francolin
• 2024 Hualien earthquake

"Banned" in India

Hi all,

In the section "In Popular Culture," the article currently states "Shiva was also featured in the manga Record of Ragnarok (Japanese: 終末のワルキューレ, Shūmatsu no Warukyūre) by Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui. In the series, Shiva serves as a fighter for the Gods. Despite making an appearance in the series, the show was banned in India due to the series's controversial portrayal of Shiva." The two linked articles for the "banned in India" claim do not state such, with 396 saying they elected not to show it, and 397 noting that "Hindu activists" urged Netflix not to stream it in India. Neither of these would seem to rise to a ban.

I would probably rewrite it to something like "Due to the potentially controversial depiction of Shiva (and Buddha) in the series, Netflix elected not to stream it in India." This is much closer to the sources provided and removes the "ban" language.

Thanks! ~2026-29601-08 (talk) 16:46, 16 May 2026 (UTC)

flood

frankly I dont think gavin flood is qualified enough to be commenting on the matter. No mention of Arthur Avalon. ~2026-40036-90 (talk) 17:18, 16 July 2026 (UTC)

"Destruction-God" in other religions

What I think would be interesting to know, if this concept of a "Destruction-God" can also be in other religions (or philosophies), or if this concept can only be found within Hinduism. Lcporschen (talk) 05:17, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

Dispute

Narayan Dikshit, Hbanm, The guidance WP:BRD indicates that if you disagree about the content you should discuss it on the article's talk page, not in lengthy edit summaries. Cabayi (talk) 12:03, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

There is no dispute, Narayan Dikshit is changing sourced information, Nandi as Shiva's mount is properly sourced with reliable sources and he is changing it without providing any reliable source. Also, trayodashi tithi is primary tithi of Shiva, as it is celebrated as Pradosha, he is again changing it to chaturdashi tithi, which is shared with deities like Kali, without any reliable sources. "Ishvara" name he mentioned in "other names" section, is used for every Hindu god and is not exclusive to Shiva. Hbanm (talk) 12:29, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

Here is the source for Vrishabha as Shiva’s mount, distinct from Nandin, from the mainstream scriptures. And regarding your statement, “trayodashi tithi is primary tithi of Shiva, as it is celebrated as Pradosha” can you provide any reliable source for this assertion? Otherwise, pls answer my simple question: to whom are the days of Kalashtami and Masik Shivaratri dedicated? Narayan Dikshit (talk) 14:01, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

Nandi is mount of Shiva and it's mainstream view in contemporary Hinduism, infobox is for mainstream views, one paper can't overtake mainstream view backed by multiple secondary reliable sources. I don't want to debate on tithi issue anymore, as it doesn't belong in "Day" section. There is a whole article on Nandi as mount of Shiva with multiple reliable sources too, go read it. Hbanm (talk) 14:17, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

"Ishvara" name he mentioned in "other names" section, is used for every Hindu god and is not exclusive to Shiva Even the “Shiva” name is used for every Hindu god and is not exclusive to Shiva! So, what are you trying to convey with such a poor analogy? Please don’t revert it unnecessarily. Narayan Dikshit (talk) 14:26, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

I think you need to learn rules of wikipedia, "other names" section is for primary and main names, not for non-primary or ambiguous names. Stop unnecessarily creating problems. Shiva is name of Vishnu too, as per Vishnu Sahasranama, doesn't mean you will go and put name Shiva in other names section of article Vishnu. Go and learn how Wikipedia works. Hbanm (talk) 14:38, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

Please focus on the content, not your opinions of each other. "play the ball and not the man" Cabayi (talk) 14:43, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

Now, why are you attacking me unnecessarily? I know that, but Ishvara or Isha itself is a primary and principal name of Shiva, according to the Hindi dictionary Amarakosha, it is not some secondary name for him. Narayan Dikshit (talk) 15:05, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

Correction *Hindu dictionary Narayan Dikshit (talk) 15:06, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

hi:wikt:Amarakosha - nothing there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Cabayi (talk) 15:16, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

Please provide the reliable source for "Ishvara" being the primary name of Shiva. Also, there are enough names in infobox and there is no need of more names. Hbanm (talk) 15:10, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

The primary names of Shiva are given in the ancient Sanskrit lexicon Amarakosha, among which the name Ishvara is also designated as a primary name of Shiva:

(१.१.७२) शम्भुरीशः पशुपतिः शिवः शूली महेश्वरः (१.१.७३) ईश्वरः शर्व ईशानः शंकरश्चन्द्रशेखरः Narayan Dikshit (talk) 15:28, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

This is not a reliable source. It's primary text, like Vishnu Sahasranamam. Please read about reliable sources. Primary sources are not considered reliable sources on Wikipedia, in majority of cases. Hbanm (talk) 15:33, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

Also, there is no need to mention tithi in "Day" section, so i have removed it. Hbanm (talk) 12:43, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

Okay. Narayan Dikshit (talk) 13:45, 13 September 2026 (UTC)

• Narayan Dikshit, Hbanm, I'm sorry your discussions petered put and you've resumed edit-warring on the article. I've imposed short-term pblocks on you both to prevent further disruption. You are of course free to continue discussing your differences on this talk page, and to make edit requests. Cabayi (talk) 11:16, 21 September 2026 (UTC)