Om Nama Shivaya

Shiva is translated as “the auspicious one.” He has many appellations including Rudra, Mahadeva, Mahesh, Kailas, Umapati, and Nilakantha. Shiva is the husband of goddess Parvati(Par-vuh-tee). They are the parents of Ganesha (the elephant headed god) and Skanda (the leader of the celestial army). Shiva inhabits Mt. Kailash, where he spends hundreds of years immersed in meditation. He is an ascetic and very interested in spiritual pursuits rather than worldly matters.