Maheshvara

Maheshvara is a name used in Hinduism to refer to the god Shiva. The term is derived from Sanskrit, combining maha meaning “great” and īśvara meaning “lord” or “master.” In many Shaiva traditions, Maheshvara serves as an epithet for Shiva or denotes a form of Shiva regarded as the supreme deity.

In Hindu scriptures, Maheshvara is treated as an aspect of Shiva associated with the cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction, and as an expression of his status as the ultimate reality within Shaiva philosophy. The epithet appears across various Puranas, epics, and devotional hymns, where the deity is invoked as the universal lord.

Iconography associated with Maheshvara follows the standard depictions of Shiva: the third eye, a crescent moon, and the river Ganga flowing from matted hair; the trishula (trident) and damaru (drum) as symbolic attributes; and often a cobra around the neck. He is commonly shown with the bull Nandi and, in many depictions, resides or meditates on a high, austere setting such as Mount Kailash.

As a linguistic and devotional title, Maheshvara reinforces Shiva’s role as the supreme lord within Hinduism, especially in Shaiva traditions. While many temples and texts refer to Shiva simply by name, some traditions and sects explicitly employ Maheshvara as a primary designation for the deity.