Sterling Silver Double Sided Shiva and Ganesha Medallion Pendants
Overall Size : 30mm x 20mm x 4mm = ~1-3/16" x 3/4+" x 1/8"
Metal : .925 - Solid Sterling Silver
Made in the USA
Pendant measurements do not include the length of any removable attachments. These will vary some, but a standard jump ring would add about 4mm (~1/8") onto the overall length.
Sold by : Pendant or Necklace
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Shiva (Siva) - God of Change / God of Destruction - In Hinduism, Shiva is the destroyer of the world. Shiva is responsible for change both in the form of death and destruction and in the positive sense of the shedding of old habits. Shiva is the third form of God as the Destroyer, one of the trimurti (popularly called the "Hindu trinity"). In the trimurti, Shiva is the destroyer, while Brahma and Vishnu are creator and preserver, respectively. In Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram or Truth, Goodness and Beauty, Shiva also represents the most essential goodness. Shiva is the god of the yogis, self-controlled and celibate, while at the same time a lover of his spouse (shakti). Shiva's first wife was Sati and his second wife was Parvati, also known as Uma, Gauri, Durga, Kali and Shakti. His sons are Ganesha and Kartikeya. Shiva lives on Mount Kailasa in the Himalayas.
As Nataraja, Shiva is the Lord of the Dance, and also symbolises the dance of the Universe/Nature, with all its delicately balanced heavenly bodies and natural laws which complement and balance each other. At times, he is also symbolized as doing his great dance of destruction, called Taandav -- dissolution of the universe.
Although he is defined as a destroyer (or rather recreator), Shiva, along with Vishnu, is considered the most benevolent God. One of his names is Aashutosh, he who is pleased by small offerings, or, he who gives a lot in return for a little.
Ganesha
The son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He is the Lord of Success and Destroyer of Evils and Obstacles. He is also worshiped as the God of Education, Knowledge, Wisdom and Wealth. Ganesha is one of the five prime Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga being the other four) whose idolatry is glorified as the 'panchayatana puja'.