Shiva is the third member of the Hindu trinity representing Godhead in its aspect of annihilator, in charge of the “constructive –destruction” in the continuous process of creation, preservation destruction and re-creation or transformation.
The eternal truth is expressed through his personality more in dignified silence than in vociferous eloquence.
He is the god of austerity. The name “neel kantha”, the blue neck god symbolizes the pervasiveness of Maya. The third eye in the center of the forehead represents the eye of wisdom as well as annihilation. When the eye of wisdom opens, the universe of names, forms and duality must stand annihilated. Supreme knowledge can not but is followed by austerity.
The tiger skin and holy ash that besmears the body symbolizes complete dehydration of the Vasanas at the mental level.
The trident stands for Sama, dama and vairagya which dispel and destroy the six qualities Kama, krodh, lobh, moha, mada and ahmkara.
Shiva by his tapas, austerities and consequent wisdom has conquered the concept of death and all its hideous retinue and they are all under his lordship and command.
The kundala he is wearing represents the feminity hidden in every male thus signifying the ancient concept of ardha narishwara i.e. half male and half female.
Shiva not only destroys the universe but also one’s illusions about the cycles of birth and death which binds us to this world.