Shiva, the Benevolent, is not just one of the many gods. He is the God of gods, the primordial source of all existence, the ultimate and singular reality. The world and all its creatures arise from his ecstatic meditation. The infinite, ever-changing diversity of creation is his Shakti, his feminine creative power. Like a child lost in play, Shiva loses himself in his Lila, his dancing Shakti. Thus, many creatures—especially those who live on Earth in human form—forget their true Shiva nature. Their play becomes deadly serious. They are trapped in illusion and delusion. But then Shiva, their true self, comes forth and frees them from the delusion, allowing them to immerse themselves once again in universal bliss. We wish to tell of this Shiva, as seen and revered in the visions of Indian sages and seers. We will also speak of the herb he loves most, of Ganesh, the mighty elephant, and of Nandi, the white bull, of Shiva's female form as Parvati, the mother of the universe, of Mount Kailash, of ego-demons that ensnare us in painful delusion, and many other wondrous beings.