Lord Shiva is the glorious god in Sanatan Dharma. In fact, he is the Param Brahma, which means he is shapeless, dimensionless, and attributes less supreme consciousness.

After creating the metaphysical world, other divine celestial beings (energies or deities) that came from Shiva requested and prayed to Shiva to personify himself so that they could experience and interact with Shiva.

The deities desired to understand their essence and the reason for their existence. As a result, they prayed to their creator. Shapeless Shiva appeared to them in the mystic form of infinite light. It was the figurative representation of Shiva as the cosmic egg known as the golden womb, Hriyangarbha.

In that metaphorical form, Shiva enlightened them and allotted responsibilities to each of them. But those metaphysical divinities further requested formless Shiva to manifest one particular form so they could comfortably experience and interact with him.

After accepting their request, lord Shiva manifested himself in the bodily form so that others may experience and connect with him. Thus, the first physical form of Shiva was Rudra. But it was the most terrible and aggressive form of Shiva. To calm his violent side, Shiva manifested another form as Shiva Shankara and Rudra became inactive within Shiva Shankara.

Hence, Shankara is the most peaceful and loved form of lord Shiva, which is close to the heart of Shiva’s devotees. Lord Shankara is also the same form that lives at Mount Kailash with his family. It is one of the most revered forms of lord Shiva known by the name of auspicious one. Vedas defines lord Shiva as the ultimate alpha male. Shankar’s name holds the significance of being the one who removes all doubts and confusion from life.

As the Shankara, lord Shiva is the strongest as well as the most peaceful and beautiful form of supreme divinity ^{[Paperback Amazon US]}.

He is an unborn, immortal, and omnipresent great god of the entire world.

One name that truly defines the influence of lord Shiva in Sanatan Dharma is Mahadev.

The reason I’m saying this is Mahadev means the god of the gods (the greatest god). It implies that others are deities, whereas Shiva is their mighty god, Mahadev.

• Maha = the greatest one
• Dev = consciousness

Therefore, Mahadev Shiva means the greatest consciousness. He is the soul maker with no starting and endpoints. And in the physical form as well, lord Shiva Shankara has no self-need. He is the supreme Vairagi, self-sufficient and independent. In short, he is complete in himself.

By chanting the name of Shiva, all the pain, hardships, and despair disappear from the life of Shiva’s name chanter. Aum Namah Shivaya is the most revered mantra of lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is the beloved partner of Shiva. Both operate as dark matter and dark energy. 

Lord Shiva is famous for his generosity. The massive section of Shiva devotees calls him Bholenath because lord Shiva is innocent and naïve like a little child.