Shiva (/iv/; IAST: iva, lit.

the auspicious one) is one of the principal

deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme God within Shaivism, one of the three
most influential denominations in contemporary Hinduism. [1][2]

Shiva is "the transformer" within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that
includes Brahma and Vishnu.[3][4] In Shaivism tradition, Shiva is the Supreme
being who creates, protects and transforms the universe.[5][6][7] In the
goddess tradition of Hinduism called Shaktism, the goddess is described as
supreme, yet Shiva is revered along with Vishnu and Brahma. A goddess is
stated to be the energy and creative power (Shakti) of each, with Parvati the
equal complementary partner of Shiva.[8][9] He is one of the five equivalent
deities in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism.[1]