7 Secrets Of Shiva Shiva, the destroyer among the Hindu trinity (of gods), is depicted in many contradictory manners. He is an ascetic who wears animal skin, his body smeared with ashes. Contradictory to his wild nature, he is also depicted as having a family, with a beautiful wife and two children. There are many more such varied representations of Shiva, the most prominent of these being the Linga and the Nataraja. The author, Devdutt Pattanaik, introduces the readers to these varied aspects and representations, and then sets about interpreting them. He explains the different anomalies and conflicts in beliefs, as well as the symbolism, rituals and reasons behind Hindu worship. About the Author: Devdutt Pattanaik Devdutt Pattanaik was trained in medicine, and worked in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry for fifteen years, before turning his part-time passion for mythology into his full-time profession. He has authored over six hundred articles and over thirty books on the relevance of sacred stories, symbols and rituals in modern times. He is a much sought after corporate speaker and acts as a consultant to organisations on matters related to leadership and culture.

[Source: Westland]