Shiva

Exploring Shiva, one of Hinduism’s most complex and revered deities, through his mythology, philosophy, and cultural legacy

In the stillness of the cosmos exists a force both boundless and paradoxical – Shiva. More than a god, he is the formless essence that both creates and consumes the universe. His realms transcend time, his actions defy logic, yet within them lies a cosmic rhythm governing all beings.

Shiva- God of Gods is a journey into the heart of Shaivism. With poetic depth and philosophical clarity, it traverses sacred terrain, from the thunderous stillness of Mount Kailash to Rudra’s cosmic dance.

The book is both a spiritual exploration and scholarly reflection, delving into the many faces of the Divine – the cultural significance of the linga, the meaning behind Shiva’s images, his fierce yet loving relationship with Parvati, the symbolism of the third eye, and the wisdom found in texts such as the Shiva Sutras and the Puranas.

Shiva invites readers to sit in the shadow of the ultimate yogi, who holds the cosmos within his breath. Embrace the paradox, touch the infinite, and enter a world where destruction births creation, and every end gives rise to a new beginning.

Author Biography

Well-known Indian academic and Indian religious studies expert, Nilima Chitgopekar has written extensively on Shiva and the goddess. She was the author of Shakti- An Exploration of the Divine Feminine, published by DK, now in its 3rd reprint. She has lectured extensively at Harvard and Oxford, and has published six other books including The Reluctant Family Man- Shiva in Everyday Life (2019), Rudra- The Idea of Shiva (2007), The Book of Durga (2003), Invoking Goddesses- Gender Politics in Indian Religion (2002) and Encountering Sivaism- The Deity, The Milieu, The Entourage (1998).