Divinity · ◇ Light

Shiva

Nilakantha · Mahadeva

coreattestedc. 400 BCE – 400 CE (epics and Puranas)Hinduism

The destroyer and the ascetic, third of the Trimurti, who dances the world to its end and sits in meditation on its ashes. When the churning of the ocean raised Halahala, the poison of everything, before it raised the nectar, Shiva drank it so creation would not burn — and holds it in his throat forever. The blue mark is the receipt.

Light92

Wisdom90

Grace86

Influence85

✦Signature powerDivine DomainHolds sovereign power over a sphere of the living world.

Its universe

The mythic order Shiva belongs to, who comes before and after in the story of this world.

The Ocean of Milkwhat is churned
- Vishnuthe pivot of the churning
  - The Devasthe tail end
  - The Asurasthe head end
    - Rahuone swallow from forever
- Shivawho keeps the poison

Relics & objects

Sacred and cursed things that belong to the world of Shiva.

The AmritaSacred

Read the story

Illustrated chapters where Shiva appears. Start reading in a click.

Illustrated storyThe Churning of the OceanCursed into weakness, the gods cannot win immortality by force — so they invite their enemies to help churn it out of the Ocean of Milk, with a mountain for a churning-rod, the serpent king for a rope, and Vishnu as the tortoise underneath it all. What rises first is not nectar but Halahala, the poison of everything, and Shiva must drink it and hold it in his throat forever. The nectar comes last, and is won by a single enchanting glance.Begin reading →