
By Wolf-Dieter Storl
• Explores the shamanic roots of global spirituality as exemplified through this Hindu god who stocks a number of the attributes of the Norse Odin and the Celtic Cernunnos
• seems to be at Shiva’s relation to modern tradition, Tantra, and the dualistic religions of the West
To his devotees Shiva is the whole universe and the middle of all beings. Hindu fable exhibits him showing initially of production as an incredible pillar of fireside from which this international sprang forth. but he's additionally the main approachable of gods, for he's the sweetheart of fans and the devotee of his devotees. Of the 1,008 names of Shiva, Pashupati, Lord of Animals, is likely one of the commonest. His designated relation to animals together with his trickster nature exhibit the deep connection of Shiva to shamanism and different gods similar to the Norse Odin and the Celtic Cernunnos that got here out of the Paleolithic traditions.
Ethnologist Wolf-Dieter Storl used to be first captivated by way of Shiva while he was once in India as a traveling pupil at Benares Hindu collage. during this ebook he invitations readers to affix within the vigorous and legendary international of Shiva, or Mahadev, God of All Gods. Shiva is a research in contrasts: because the lord of dance he looses himself in ecstatic abandon; along with his consort Parvati he could make love for 10,000 years. either women and men worship him for his skill to unite and stability masculine and female energies. yet because the ascetic Shankar he sits in deep meditation, shunning girls, and none dare disturb him lest he open his 3rd eye and immolate the complete universe. Lord of intoxicants and poisons, he's the keeper of mystery occult wisdom and powers, for which he's worshipped via yogis and demons alike. Shiva dances either the enjoyment of being and the dance of doom--but in each element he breaks in the course of the fake ego to bare the genuine self mendacity inside of. this can be his actual power.