Shiva (or Siva) is the protector of the Vedas (sacred texts), husband of Parvati and father of Ganesha. He is the third god in the Hindu triumvirate, or trimurti. He is the aspect of destruction or destroyer (of worlds) which allows for creation – destroying by death and destruction of people, places, things, as well as, the ego, attachments and old habits. As such he is associated with the concept of time. The patron of yogis, self-controlled, an ascetic, he abstains from all forms of indulgence and pleasure, concentrating on meditation. he is one of the most important gods in Hinduism and is the most important Hindu god for the Shaivism sect.

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