One of the best known stories is the story of the creation of the Lord Ganesha (stories).
Non-being having decided to 'be' became a spirit and said "Let me become!" He warmed himself and soon he became born fire, he then became born light. Shiva is the non-created creator of all: he knows all, he is pure conciousness, the creator of time, all knowing and all powerful. Shiva is the lord of the sould and nature and of the three conditions of nature, from him comes transmigration of life and liberation, bondage in time and freedom in eternity.
To some he is Shiva the beneficent and to others he is the destroyer. For some he is Shiva the ascetic, wandering the world. For others he is still the Great Lord, King of all creations. Still it as the lord of the dance that all his aspects come together in one spectacular form! Nowhere else in the universe is there a clearer picture of what a God is and does.
Shiva dances the dance of creation, the dance of destruction and the dance of solace and liberation.
Beneath his left foot ignorence is crushed and from his head springs the life giving waters. His are the flames, the moon, the drum and the lotus. His mount is the white bull and the tiger has given its skin to gird his loins. Serpents coil around his limbs and from his right hand springs the promise of release.
