Shiva - An Introduction  (English, Paperback, Devdutt Pattanaik)

This is an attempt to understand the meaning of Shiva worship in our time exploring various pictorial images of Shiva iconography, taking us through Shaivite philosophy, beliefs, history, folklore and myth. Written in a simple narrative style, and interspersed with familiar and unfamiliar tales retold, the book reaches out to young and old alike.

Highlights include lucid explanations and a pictorial key to numerous symbols associated with Shaivite ritual and festival practices, a map of India showing important Shiva temples including the twelve jyotir-lingas, a list of 108 sacred names of Shiva with their meanings, a bibliography for those interested in learning more, and over 150 illustrations of which many are in colour.

Shiva-Maheshvar Let me meditate on the supreme god, who wears the crescent moon as a crown, whose dazzling form is adorned by the five dements of the universe, who holds in his four hands the weapon of the axe, the deer, who is fulfilment and forgiveness, as his worshipper desires, who sits on the world lotus in perpetual repose, who is of wisdom, desire and action, who is the source and the goal of life and who will embrace all creatures at the end removing their fear of death.