Shiva: The God Who Is More Human Than Us
This month at Soul Veda, we turn our focus to Shiva, the most paradoxical of gods—ascetic yet householder, fierce yet compassionate, destroyer yet nurturer. His stories are not just tales of divinity but reflections of our own struggles with ego, transformation, and balance. What does it mean to trust, love, and act with dharma, even at the cost of making mistakes? In a world that values control and certainty, Shiva reminds us that true power lies in surrender, wisdom, and the ability to embrace both destruction and renewal. Let’s explore what his many roles teach us about being human.
Shiva—The Great Ascetic, The Cosmic Dancer, The Fearless Warrior, The Compassionate Protector, The Divine Husband and Father. To understand Shiva is to understand the cycles of life itself—creation, destruction, preservation, and ultimately, transformation.
Through the ages, his many forms and manifestations have taught us the essence of existence—how to navigate challenges, how to balance power and wisdom, how to embrace both the masculine and feminine within, and most importantly, how to let go. Today, as we stand amidst the turbulence of a fast-changing world, Shiva’s stories hold deep relevance, offering us guidance on ego, resilience, compassion, dharma, and the power of choice.
Below, we explore five key roles of Shiva, each rich with symbolism and deeply applicable to our lives today.
Shiva: The Eternal Force of Transformation, Balance, and Free Will
Shiva as Neelkanth – The Blue-Throated One: The Ultimate Compassion
When the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean for Amrita (the nectar of immortality), they unknowingly released Halahala, a deadly poison capable of destroying all creation. As the world trembled in fear, only Shiva stepped forward. Without hesitation, he drank the poison, holding it in his throat, neither swallowing nor expelling it, preventing destruction. The act turned his throat deep blue, earning him the name Neelkanth, the Blue-Throated One.
What It Teaches Us Today
We live in a world where compassion is often mistaken for weakness, where people shy away from absorbing the difficulties of others. Shiva’s story reminds us that true strength is not in domination but in sacrifice, in the ability to hold space for others' pain without being consumed by it. Just as Shiva did not allow the poison to spread, we must learn to process suffering without letting it define us.
Today, resilience is often projected outward—the ability to fight back, push forward, and never break. But Shiva teaches us inner resilience—the quiet power of holding, healing, and protecting. (See my article on resilience for a deeper perspective.)
One of many pictures of “The Churning of The Cosmic Milk Coean To Get The Amrit”
Shiva as Tripurantaka – The Destroyer of Illusion: Ego, Competition, and the False Beauty of Success
The three asura brothers who built the three indestructible cities—Tripura—believed themselves invincible, drunk on power. They had started as devout beings but lost themselves in their desires for domination and luxury, forgetting their true purpose. It was only when Shiva, with a single arrow, destroyed all three cities at once that their illusions crumbled.
However, the Devas were not innocent either. They became jealous of the asuras' success and prosperity. Instead of acknowledging what the asuras had built for themselves, they only saw it as a threat. When Shiva asked the Devas to help him prepare for battle, they grew overconfident, believing that their efforts were the true force behind Tripura’s fall. They failed to see that ego and illusion are not just the poisons of demons—they can take over even the gods.
What It Teaches Us Today
We live in a world obsessed with status, material success, and competition. We build our own ‘Tripuras’—corporate empires, social personas, wealth, and achievements—believing they make us untouchable. But like the three asura kings, we often forget where we came from, what truly matters, and what is real.
At the same time, envy and resentment can also take over those who watch from the sidelines. Instead of learning from others’ success, we may look at it with jealousy, trying to tear down what others have built. The Devas’ arrogance and pride remind us that ego is a disease that can infect even the most righteous. We must be aware of this not only in others but also within ourselves.
Tripurantaka teaches us that ultimately, there are no good or evil people—only those who allow ego, jealousy, and illusion to consume them. And sometimes, we must put back in place those we once admired—whether they are our closest friends, family, or even ourselves.
Not all battles are necessary. Not every war is justified. Many of our struggles—personal or global—stem from envy, ego, and the need to prove superiority. But Shiva shows us that wisdom, diplomacy, and self-awareness can often dismantle illusions better than brute force. Even in the New Testament, we are told to “turn the other cheek”—to rise above petty conflicts instead of responding with retaliation.
Shiva as Tripurantaka with his divine weapons, striking the one arrow to destroy Tripura
Shiva as Nataraja – The Cosmic Dancer: The Rhythm of Life
In his divine form as Nataraja, Shiva’s Tandava dance is the pulse of the universe—the cycle of creation, destruction, and renewal. His dance crushes ignorance (Apasmara) underfoot, showing that wisdom is the path to liberation.
Shiva’s form as Nataraja is a visual representation of cosmic balance. He stands on one leg, crushing the demon Apasmara, symbolizing the conquest of ignorance. His other leg is raised, representing liberation and transcendence beyond worldly attachments.
In his upper right hand, he holds a damaru (drum), the source of the primal sound from which the universe was created. This drum represents the rhythm of existence, the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
His upper left hand carries a flame, the fire of destruction that clears the way for transformation. Destruction is not an end, but a necessary phase for new beginnings.
His lower right hand is in Abhaya Mudra, a gesture of reassurance, fearlessness, and protection. It reminds us that even amidst destruction and chaos, there is divine order and purpose.
His lower left hand points towards his raised foot, inviting devotees to seek liberation and find refuge in divine wisdom. The raised foot symbolizes escape from the cycle of suffering and illusion.
Around him, the cosmic ring of fire (Prabhamandala) represents the infinite nature of time, the eternal cycle of existence, and the energy that binds and propels all of creation.
What It Teaches Us Today
Shiva’s dance symbolizes change—the inevitable flow of life. The world is constantly moving, evolving, shifting. Those who resist change suffer, while those who embrace it move with the rhythm of existence. In our modern world, where uncertainty is constant—whether in relationships, careers, or society—the lesson is clear: Dance with life, do not resist it.
The symbolism of Nataraja also serves as a powerful reminder that balance is essential—in destruction and creation, in action and stillness, in embracing both our material existence and our spiritual evolution. By surrendering to this cosmic dance, we learn to live in harmony with life’s constant ebb and flow.
Shiva as Veerabhadra – Righteous Anger and the Power of Destruction
When Daksha insulted Shiva and humiliated Sati, her grief burned so fiercely that she sacrificed herself in the fire of her father’s yajna. In rage and sorrow, Shiva tore a lock of his hair, giving birth to Veerabhadra—the fiercest warrior, the embodiment of Shiva’s fury. Veerabhadra stormed Daksha’s court, destroying everything in his path, teaching the lesson that dharma cannot be insulted without consequence.
But what dharma was broken in this story? Daksha, as a father, failed his duty (dharma) to love and support his daughter. Instead of embracing Sati’s choices, he let ego, societal expectations, and illusion take precedence. He rejected her out of pride, refused to acknowledge her happiness, and chose his reputation over his daughter’s well-being. His refusal to forgive, accept, and love ultimately led to tragedy.
This is not just an ancient story—it mirrors reality even today. Honor killings, forced marriages, and parental control over children’s lives still happen in many parts of the world. Even in modern families, parents often demand their children conform to societal expectations, pushing them into paths that serve prestige over happiness. Veerabhadra does not simply destroy Daksha’s court—he destroys the illusion that control, power, and pride matter more than love and acceptance.
What It Teaches Us Today
There is a fine line between righteous anger and ego-driven destruction. Veerabhadra represents the moment when patience runs out, when justice demands action. But it also serves as a warning—are our actions rooted in protecting dharma, or are they merely fueled by our own pride? Before we unleash destruction, we must ask ourselves—is it necessary? Is it just?
Veerabhadra reminds us that when illusions break, dharma must be restored—even if it means correcting those in power, those we admire, or even our own families.
Scroll Right to see pictures of this story. Source Source
Shiva as the Family Man – Balance Between Masculine and Feminine
Despite being a fierce warrior and ascetic, Shiva is also the most loving husband and father. His relationship with Parvati is one of equality, mutual respect, and balance. He dances with her as Ardhanarishvara—the half-male, half-female form, showing that both masculine and feminine energies exist in all of us.
As a father, he raises Kartikeya to be a warrior and nurtures Ganesha with wisdom, showing that parenting is both protection and guidance.
What It Teaches Us Today
We often struggle between work and family, ambition and love, discipline and gentleness. Shiva shows us that true balance lies in embracing all aspects of ourselves. A man can be strong yet kind, fierce yet loving. A woman can be nurturing yet powerful, soft yet unbreakable.
However, in modern corporate institutions, politics, and leadership roles, this balance is still missing. Men continue to dominate these spaces, and while women have made progress, they are often expected to assimilate into male-dominated structures rather than being valued for their own innate strengths.
Studies show that women bring essential qualities into leadership, especially in the realm of Emotional Intelligence (EQ)—a factor proven to be just as critical as IQ for success. Yet, when women seek to advance in their careers, they are often forced to choose between motherhood and work, pressured to be more resilient, tougher, and more like their male counterparts.
Where is the space for Parvati as the nurturer and Shiva as the householder?
Shiva’s story teaches us that true success embraces both the masculine and feminine—logic and intuition, ambition and compassion, resilience and flexibility. When leadership includes both perspectives, societies, businesses, and families thrive. Until we create a world where men and women can equally embody their strengths without sacrifice, the balance Shiva represents remains incomplete.
Society thrives when both masculine and feminine qualities are embraced, rather than divided into rigid roles. When we honor both, we create harmony in relationships, in families, and within ourselves.
The Philosophy: Transformation, Dharma, and Free Will
The Reason Why Shiva Is More Human Than You and Me….
Shiva proves that he is, perhaps, the most human of all gods, despite being the most divine among the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. He is not infallible, nor does he claim to be. He makes mistakes. He trusts those who later betray him, he acts out of compassion even when it exposes him to harm, and he fights for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Yet, none of these actions have ever made him weak.
His heartbreak did not make him weak.
His compassion did not make him weak.
His blind trust did not make him weak.
His willingness to love and give back did not make him weak.
Instead, they made him greater than illusion and ego, for Shiva teaches us that true strength lies in devotion, in the courage to change, in the ability to trust, love, and give back. These are not vulnerabilities but the ultimate virtues that break ego and illusion.
In our modern world, we are often told that strength means not showing emotion, not trusting too easily, and always being on guard. But Shiva shows us that to love, to trust, to change, and to hold dharma above all else is the highest form of power.
His life is a reminder that dharma is not about always being right, but about choosing to act with wisdom and righteousness, even when mistakes are made along the way. His actions are rooted in purpose, not pride, in duty, not ego—and that is why he remains the ultimate force of transformation and balance.
In the end, Shiva is not just a god to be worshipped—he is a mirror. A reflection of who we are, who we can become, and the choices we must make to walk our path with wisdom, balance, and grace.
Om Namah Shivaya.
Join my online Soul Veda Mantra Art Session on the 8th March 2025
Let us continue to work on our own transformation and on being more human like Shiva. We will be painting Self Portraits to reflect on our own journey.
