Shiva: The Alluring Scent Of A Godlike Cologne

Shiva is a popular name and has various meanings in different cultures and religions. In Hinduism, Shiva is one of the principal deities and is known as 'The Destroyer' within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity. In Judaism, Shiva is a week-long mourning period for first-degree relatives. There is no evidence of a cologne called Shiva.

Shiva in Hinduism

Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is also known as Mahadeva, meaning 'The Great God', and Hara. He is the third god in the Hindu triumvirate or Trimurti, which also includes Brahma and Vishnu.

Shiva is known as 'The Destroyer' within the Trimurti, responsible for the destruction of the universe in order to re-create it. He is regarded as the source of both good and evil and combines many contradictory elements. He is usually depicted as white, with a blue neck and throat, three eyes, and either two or four hands.

Shiva is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism. He is worshipped as the supreme god by members of the Shaivism sect. He is also the most important Hindu god for the Shaivism sect, the patron of Yogis and Brahmins, and the protector of the Vedas, the sacred texts.

Shiva is often depicted as an ascetic, abstaining from all forms of indulgence and pleasure and concentrating on meditation as a means to find perfect happiness. However, he also has a darker side and is associated with ghosts, thieves, villains, and beggars.

Shiva's consort is the Mother-goddess, Devi, who has taken on many forms, including Kali, the goddess of death, and Sati, the goddess of marital felicity. Her best-known incarnation is Parvati, Shiva's eternal wife, with whom he has two sons, Ganesha and Skanda or Kartikeya.

Shiva is closely associated with the Linga or Lingam, a phallic statue representing his raw power and masculinity and the seed of the universe. He is also known as the Lord of Dance and is often depicted performing the Tandava cosmic dance within a circle of fire, representing the never-ending cycle of time.

Shiva in Judaism

Shiva, in Judaism, refers to a seven-day mourning period for immediate family members of the deceased. The word "Shiva" comes from the Hebrew word "shiv'ah", which means "seven". The practice of sitting shiva is believed to have originated before the biblical flood narrative, with the earliest instance cited by rabbis being the seven days of mourning for Methuselah, the oldest man in the world, before the flood.

Shiva begins immediately after the burial and is observed by the parents, siblings, spouses, and children of the deceased. Mourners traditionally stay at home, wear torn clothing or a torn black ribbon (a practice known as keriah or kriah), and do not go to work or school. Mirrors in the house are covered, and mourners sit on low stools or the floor, symbolising their low spirits. Friends and family visit the mourner to offer condolences and provide comfort, and traditionally bring food.

The period of shiva is followed by sheloshim, a thirty-day mourning period during which mourners can begin to interact with others and participate in social relations. The final stage is shenat aveilut, a twelve-month mourning period during which limitations are placed on mourners with regard to wearing new clothes, attending social gatherings, and receiving gifts.

Shiva as a name

Shiva is a name with a rich history and multiple meanings across different cultures and religions.

Hinduism

In Hinduism, Shiva is one of the principal deities and is worshipped as the Supreme Being in Shaivism, a major tradition within the religion. The name Shiva has Sanskrit roots and means "kind, friendly, gracious, or auspicious". As a proper name, it means "The Auspicious One". Shiva is also known by many other names, including Mahadeva, Hara, Viswanatha, Shankara, and Rudra. In Hindu philosophy, Shiva is often depicted as embodying opposing themes, such as creation and destruction, or fierceness and benevolence.

Judaism

In Judaism, Shiva (Hebrew: שִׁבְעָה‎) refers to a seven-day period of formalized mourning for first-degree relatives. The ritual, also known as "sitting shiva", is intended to help mourners through the initial period of intense grief following a death. During this time, mourners traditionally stay at home, wear torn clothing, and receive visitors who offer condolences and comfort.

Other Meanings

Beyond these religious contexts, the name Shiva can also be found in other cultures and languages. For example, in Irish, Shiva is a female name meaning "goddess" or "wise woman". In Japanese, Shiva can be a male name meaning "a thousand autumns" or "a thousand rings". In Persian, Shiva is a unisex name meaning "a hundred".

Shiva as a place

Shiva is a place of mourning in the Jewish faith. The word Shiva comes from the Hebrew word "shiv'ah", which means seven, and refers to the seven-day period of formalized mourning observed by the immediate family of the deceased.

Shiva is intended to help mourners through the initial period of intense grief and disorientation following a death. During this time, mourners traditionally stay at home, wear torn clothing, and are visited by friends and family who offer their condolences and provide comfort.

The process of sitting Shiva is said to date back to biblical times and is referenced in the story of Noah in Genesis, where Joseph mourned his father, Jacob, for seven days.

In addition to providing emotional support, friends and family are expected to bring food to those sitting Shiva. Traditionally, three prayer services are conducted each day, and mirrors in the home are covered.

The end of Shiva is marked by a walk around the block, symbolising the mourners' re-entry into the outside world.

Shiva as a film

Shiva, the Hindu deity, has inspired a 1967 Kannada movie called Gange Gowri, a 1990s television series called Om Namah Shivay, and a 2011-2014 television serial called Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev.

Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism and is considered the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism. He is known as The Destroyer within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that also includes Brahma and Vishnu.

A film about Shiva can focus on his benevolent and fierce aspects. In his benevolent aspect, Shiva can be depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives an ascetic life on Kailasa with his wife Parvati and their two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya. In his fierce aspect, Shiva is often depicted slaying demons.

Shiva is also known as Adiyogi, the patron god of yoga, meditation, and the arts. Iconographical attributes associated with Shiva include the serpent king Vasuki around his neck, a crescent moon adorning his head, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, and a third eye on his forehead that turns everything it looks at into ashes.

A film about Shiva can explore his relationship with other deities. For example, in the Shakta tradition, the Supreme Goddess (Devi) is regarded as Shiva's equal complementary partner. In the Smarta tradition, Shiva is worshipped alongside Vishnu, Devi, Surya, and Ganesha or Skanda.

Shiva is also associated with dance and is often depicted as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. A film can showcase Shiva's association with performance arts and his role as the patron of the arts.

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