Shiva: The Hidden Side of the Master of the Universe

by Nityanand Charan Das

Lord Shiva, the most mystical and enigmatic deity of the Vedic pantheon, remains the most popular and yet, the least understood personality.
From being the destroyer to the most compassionate, being the personification of anger to the one who is easily pleased, living a life of complete detachment from the material to blessing his worshipers with material opulence, he remains a perfect puzzle to most.
Lord Shiva is often depicted in deep meditation, symbolizing transcendence and inner peace. With his third eye, he represents wisdom and insight, capable of both annihilating ignorance and bestowing enlightenment. As the lord of renunciation, he challenges devotees to transcend worldly attachments and embrace spiritual ascension. Yet, he is also the benevolent protector, offering solace and guidance to those in need.
This book explores the side of Shiva that is completely hidden from us, giving us a deeper insight into the unexplored personality that he is.

248 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Mili Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happened to that parrot who heard Amar Katha from the mouth of Bhagwan Mahadev?
What is that mantra that Mahadev always chanted in his dhyan?
How did Mahadev enter Vrindavan and enjoy the divine Raas with Shri Krishna? All of the unknown and known stories are compiled here in this book.

Looking for something to read on Navaratri?
Read this beautiful book Shiva by Nityanand Charandas.

Lord Shiva, the most mystical and enigmatic deity of the Vedic pantheon, remains the most popular and yet, the least understood personality.
From being the destroyer to the most compassionate, being the personification of anger to the one who is easily pleased, living a life of complete detachment from the material to blessing his worshipers with material opulence, he remains a perfect puzzle to most.
Lord Shiva is often depicted in deep meditation, symbolizing transcendence and inner peace. With his third eye, he represents wisdom and insight, capable of both annihilating ignorance and bestowing enlightenment. As the lord of renunciation, he challenges devotees to transcend worldly attachments and embrace spiritual ascension. Yet, he is also the benevolent protector, offering solace and guidance to those in need.
This book explores the side of Shiva that is completely hidden from us, giving us a deeper insight into the unexplored personality that he is.

Lucid language accompanied with simple words this book emphasizes the enigmatic Mahadev from Vedas and Puranas. Personally I enjoyed the stories behind the twelve jyotirlinga, the story of Varanasi, and I was astounded while reading about Bel Patra. Every story shimmering with the pearl of timeless knowledge.

Stories from Shrimad Bhagvata will make you glued to the book till you finish it.
An ideal book to gift and read in this festive season.

[Ekta M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Shiva is the Guru of the entire material creation. He is the master of material energy and the perfect example of what one should be.

Book- Shiva: The Hidden Side Of The Master Of The Universe
Author- @nityanand_charan_das
Genre- Spirituality
Ebook available


This book explores the side of Lord Shiva that is hidden from us, giving deeper insight into the unexplored persona that he has.

The book starts with a very interesting story about Lord Shiva's family which gives a very important message that each individual is different and we must respect the differences and live together. The book then goes on to narrate the orgin/birth/identity of Lord Shiva and the different roles he plays. The book talks of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the story behind it. And many more things connected to Lord Shiva.

The book has information that i wasn't aware of and i was in awe after reading it. I worship Lord Shiva and i do know many things about him but reading about his orgin and different roles he plays, left me astound. It was something new that i got to know. His comparison to Lord Krishna was altogether new to me and that is another thing i enjoyed reading. It gave me altogether a new perspective on Lord Shiva.

I like the simple explanations on Spiritual significance and other things so it was quite engaging and fast paced. Even a beginner can read this if he /she loves to read on Spirituality.


I believe in Spirituality so it was a great experience for me reading this book and knowing the hidden side of Lord Shiva.

Looking forward to read more books from @nityanand_charan_das

Absolutely loved this one and i highly recommend it given that you like this genre.

[Vanshika Gaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a native of Varanasi and the daughter of a deeply religious couple, I grew up worshipping Lord Shiva. Like many other devotees, it was He who gradually guided me towards Krishna Bhakti. Yet despite worshipping Him since childhood, I realised that I actually knew very little about His true tattva. I never imagined that I would even get a glimpse of who Shambhu actually is until I perchanced upon this remarkable book.

Ever since reading verse 5.45 of Śrī Brahma Saṁhitā, I felt a strong inclination to understand Shiva-tattva, but I never had the courage to dive into the scriptures on my own. Fortunately, my thirst to know more about the greatest Vaiṣṇava, Lord Shiva, has been satisfied to a great extent through this beautiful book by HG Nityanand Charan Das Prabhuji.

Prabhuji has drawn from numerous authentic sources like the Brahma Samhita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagwad Gita, Padama Purana, etc. and distilled the essence into a form that gives the reader a clear and profound glimpse of the master of the universe, Śrī Viśvanātha. The book covers several insightful chapters, including His appearance, His family, Method of worship and approach Him, the 12 Jyotirlingas and their histories, Lord Krishna’s glorification by Lord Shiva, teachings of Lord Shiva, Śrī Advaita Ācārya (Shiva’s recent incarnation), and so much more.

Prabhuji’s writing style has always fascinated me and keeps me thoroughly engrossed, and this book is no exception. I wholeheartedly recommend it to every devotee, whether their devotion is centred on Krishna or Shiva, because, as is rightly said, religion without philosophy is sentimentalism or fanaticism.

Read this book to discover what Lord Shiva in reality desires to teach us through His divine actions.

[Book_withquotes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nityanand Charan Das’s “Shiva” offers a captivating exploration of the enigmatic Hindu deity’s complex and multifaceted nature. The author skillfully delves into the hidden aspects of Shiva’s personality, challenging traditional perceptions and providing a deeper understanding of this revered figure. One of the book’s strengths is its ability to make complex spiritual concepts accessible to a wide audience.

Das uses simple language and engaging storytelling to bring Shiva’s life and teachings to life. The author’s exploration of Shiva’s symbolism and his role as creator and destroyer is particularly enlightening. While the book offers valuable insights, there are a few minor drawbacks. Some chapters may feel repetitive, and certain comparisons between Shiva and Krishna might not resonate with all readers.

However, these minor issues do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the book. Shiva is a thought-provoking and enlightening read that will appeal to anyone interested in Hinduism, spirituality, or simply exploring the complexities of the human psyche. Das’s insightful analysis and engaging writing style make this book a valuable addition to any spiritual library.

[Dixita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Shiva by Nityanand Charan Das gave me a fresh perspective on Lord Shiva's many facets. One thing I appreciated about the book was the way the author kept it simple. Shiva’s calm, meditative side is beautifully contrasted with his fierce, powerful energy. There were stories in here that I hadn’t come across before. The explanations surrounding Shiva's personality, his roles, and his spiritual significance were clear and easy to follow.
On the downside, I felt like the constant comparisons between Shiva and Krishna were a bit overdone. While I understand the intent, I felt that the focus could have remained more centered on Shiva himself. Additionally, there were a few instances where certain points were repeated more than necessary.
Overall, if you’re curious about Shiva or looking for an easy-to-understand book on mythology and spirituality, this one’s worth a read.

Thank you @penguinindia for sending me a copy of this thought provoking book!

[Lavanya Shankar · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book talks about the greatness of Lord Vishnu with Lord Shiva as the main character. Everywhere in every chapter, its Lord Shiva singing the praise of the “supreme lord”. If I wanted the glory of Lord Vishnu I would have gone with Shrimad Baghavatham. I came here for Lord Shiva and I am very disappointed. I stopped reading where Lord Shiva takes Goddess Parvati to Amarnath to give the divine knowledge, “Amar Katha” in secrecy to her. And “Amar Katha” happens to be the stories of divine pastimes of the “supreme lord”. In common belief, Amar Katha is the secret to immortality. But no, here it is a story on the pastimes of Lord Vishnu.

[Reader’s Sublime · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually don’t write book reviews. But in this case I felt compelled to do so. This book propagates the beliefs of the Hare Krishna ISKON group under the guise of a book dedicated to Shiva. It portrays Shiva as a demi-god while Krishna as the Supreme God. Four chapters into the book, this theme was repetitive where Shiva is constantly portrayed as a lesser divinity, and I looked into the author. Lo and behold! He is indeed part of ISKON. This is a disingenuous book, and I immediately stopped reading it.

[Abitha Ganesan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book gave me good insight of certain aspect of Spirituality I was not aware of. I loved the facts book contained the Shlokas of Shiva which I would like to know and understand. In my journey of Spirituality this book will provide me visibility in certain aspects.

[Priya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is written in a lucid language and is easy to read. But there are certain aspects of this book that I don't appreciate at all. While the book does talk about Shiva, it is completely written from a Vaishnavism perspective. While reading about Shiva, one would like to explore the Shaivism aspect. In this book, Lord Vishnu is often described as the supreme and Lord Shiva described as his greatest devotee. This is a pure Vaishnavism point of view.