# Lord Shiva the great devotee ![[images/all-catalogs/0037_SB-4-1-5.jpg]] *Lord Shiva occupies a unique position in the cosmic hierarchy — he is neither an ordinary living entity nor the Supreme Lord, but holds a special status as the greatest Vaishnava (devotee of Vishnu). Although he appears to destroy the universe at the time of annihilation, he acts only under the direction of the Supreme Lord. Shiva is worshiped by both demigods and demons, but his own worship is directed toward Lord Krishna. The scriptures describe him as vaishnavanam yatha shambhu — "among Vaishnavas, Shambhu (Shiva) is the best."* ## The Topmost Devotee ![[sb/4/24/18]] ![[sb/4/24/30]] ## Acts as the Destroyer Under the Lord's Will ![[sb/1/2/23]] ![[sb/2/9/28]] ## An Incarnation of the Lord's Quality ![[cc/madhya/20/311]] ![[sb/4/6/34]] ## Always Meditates on Krishna ![[sb/4/24/76]] ![[sb/8/12/38]] ## His Prayers Are Most Auspicious ![[sb/4/24/33]] ![[sb/4/24/69]] ## Cannot Be Imitated ![[sb/4/2/2]] ![[sb/4/6/39]] ## From the Scriptures **Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam**: - [[sb/4/2|SB 4.2: Dakṣa Curses Lord Śiva]] — The conflict with Daksha - [[sb/4/3|SB 4.3: Talks Between Lord Śiva and Satī]] — Dialogue with his wife - [[sb/4/4|SB 4.4: Satī Quits Her Body]] — His wife's sacrifice - [[sb/4/5|SB 4.5: Frustration of the Sacrifice of Dakṣa]] — Shiva's anger - [[sb/4/6|SB 4.6: Brahmā Satisfies Lord Śiva]] — Reconciliation - [[sb/4/24|SB 4.24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Śiva]] — His famous prayers to Vishnu - [[sb/8/7|SB 8.7: Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison]] — Drinking the poison - [[sb/8/12|SB 8.12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva]] — Enchanted by Mohinī ## Related Articles - [[wiki/articles/The principal demigods|The principal demigods]] — Shiva among the Trimurti - [[wiki/articles/The twelve Mahajanas|The twelve Mahajanas]] — Shiva as one of the twelve authorities - [[wiki/articles/Lord Brahma the creator|Lord Brahma the creator]] — The creator - [[wiki/articles/The role of demigods|The role of demigods]] — Cosmic administration ## From the Index - [[index/entries/siva-lord|Lord Shiva]] — The greatest Vaishnava - [[index/entries/demigod|Demigods]] — Shiva as chief - [[index/entries/destruction-of-universe|Destruction]] — By Shiva's agency