Shiva

Shiva (シヴァ, Shiva) is a recurring demon in the series. It is based on the deity of Hindu mythology.

History
In the Hindu religion, Shiva the Destroyer is one of the three principle deities of the Trimurti (Hindu Triad) along with Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver. He originally evolved from the early Vedic god, Rudra, and is now the supreme deity within Shaivism, a branch of Hinduism that focuses on the worship of Shiva. While he is is known as the destroyer, he is also considered to be a benevolent and beneficial force, as without destruction, new creation couldn't take place. He also act against premature destruction, going far enough to withstand great suffering. He is depicted with up to four arms, a third eye, a blue throat, matted hair, carrying a trident and a drum, is often accompanied by a serpent and rides on the back of the sacred bull Nandi.

The first of Shiva's best known attributes is his third eye, which he once used to burn the god of love, Kamadeva, to ashes. The effulgence from this act was so hot not even the god of fire Agni could handle it and it was used to create the war god Kartikeya. Shiva also has a blue throat that was caused when he swallowed the most deadly poison in the world, Halahala, the poison of the primordial snake Vasuki, earning him the name Vishakantha (one who held poison in his throat). This act is further proof of his benevolent and self-sacrificing nature.

He is the husband of the goddess Parvati, or Shakti depending on what you believe, in all her incarnations and has two sons, Ganesha and Skanda. He also has many incarnations that would go on to become sacred figures in their own right such as Shankara and Hanuman. Shiva is also worshipped in forms born from the fusion of himself and other gods, such as Harihara when fused with Vishnu or Ardhanarishvara when he's fused Parvati or Shakti.

Followers of a religion called Shaktism believe the Shiva is an aspect or relfection of The Divine Mother, or Shakti.

Another name for Shiva is Mahakala, who, in Buddism, is a fierce protector deity who is equivalent to Shiva.

Appearances

 * Megami Tensei II: Majin Clan
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Tenma
 * Shin Megami Tensei II: Hakaishin
 * Shin Megami Tensei: if...: Hakaishin
 * Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne: Fury
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey: Fury
 * Shin Megami Tensei Nine: Hakaishin
 * Devil Survivor: Deity
 * Majin Tensei II: Tenma
 * Devil Summoner: Hakaishin Clan
 * Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2: Optional boss - Tyrant / Hakaishin
 * Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers: Hakaishin
 * Megami Ibunroku Persona: Chariot Arcana
 * Persona 2: Innocent Sin: Chariot Arcana
 * Persona 2: Eternal Punishment: Chariot Arcana
 * Persona 3: Tower Arcana
 * Persona 3: FES: Tower Arcana
 * Persona 4: Tower Arcana
 * Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon: Fury
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Children White Book
 * Shin Megami Tensei: DemiKids: Light Version
 * Shin Megami Tensei: DemiKids: Dark Version
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Children Fire Book
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Children Ice Book

Shin Megami Tensei
The traditional method of fusing Shiva from Barong and Rangda originated from the first game. It should be noted that Shiva is the highest recruitable Tenma, and that Shiva cannot be fused with any other demons - the game won't even create a slime from fusion, it literally will not allow any fusions.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Shiva appears as a distinct powerful demon that cannot be encountered nor recruited by the Hito-Shura in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. Instead, he can only be summoned once the Hito-Shura reaches Lv. 95 or above and performs the special fusion consists of the demons Barong and Rangda.

Persona 3
Shiva appears as one of the Personas of the Tower Arcana. He can be summoned once the Protagonist reaches Lv. 82 or above. Following the tradition of Shin Megami Tensei, Shiva's fusion prerequisite requires the Protagonist to perform a special fusion consists of Barong and Rangda. Shiva, along with his wife Parvati also grants the accessibility to the fusion spell Ardhanari. Shiva is also the only Persona that has access to the skill, Pralaya, which deals severe Pierce damage to all enemies with chances of inflicting Fear status, and is also the strongest All-enemy pierce type skill.

Persona 3: FES
Shiva returns as a Persona of the Tower Arcana in Persona 3: FES, retaining his attributes. In FES also introduces the Weapon Fusion system, where fusing Shiva with a Nihil weapon grants the strongest spear-classed weapon, Pinaka.

In the playable epilogue, titled The Answer, Aigis can also summon Shiva by fusing the appropriate Personae.

Persona 4
Shiva appears as the Ultimate Persona of the Tower Arcana in Persona 4, where he can be summoned once the Protagonist reaches Lv. 80 or above. Similar to its predecessor, Shiva's fusion prerequisite still requires the special fusion of Barong and Rangda.

In reference to the Hindu mythology, performing the special fusion of Shiva and Parvati grants the Persona Ardha.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
Once again, Shiva can only be obtained by fusing the Demons Barong and Rangda. He is one of the few Unique demons that can be fought in a free battle.

Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon
Unlike previous games fusing Shiva does not require the speical fusion of Barong and Rangda. He can be fused just like any other fury demon once you reach Lv. 75 or above.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
Shiva again can be fused through Special Fusion between Barong and Rangda.