"I am Nataraja, the destroyer of all. I shall ascertain if you are worthy to face Brahman. If you cannot defeat me, then your world does not deserve to exist."
In the Hindu religion, Shiva the Destroyer is one of the three principal deities of the Trimurti (Hindu Male 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 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 acts 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 that not even the god of fire, Agni, could handle it, and 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, 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 worshiped 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 sect of Hinduism called Shaktism believe the Shiva is an aspect or reflection of the Divine Mother, or Shakti.
Another name for Shiva is Mahakala, who, in Buddhism, is a fierce protector deity who is equivalent to Shiva.
"Origin: India. One of the three major gods of Hinduism. He is the god of destruction and dance. He has four arms, four faces and three eyes. He is often depicted wearing tiger skin, with pearls and a snake around his neck. It is said that when his third eye opens, its glare can burn anything to ash."
—Shin Megami Tensei A-Mode DDS dictionary
The traditional method of fusing Shiva from Barong and Rangda originated from the first game. Shiva is the highest recruitable Tenma, and, like Vishnu, Shiva cannot be fused with any other demons; the game won't even create a Slime from fusion and will never make any fusions.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne[]
Shiva appears as a distinct, powerful demon that cannot be encountered nor recruited by the Demi-fiend. Instead, he can only be summoned once the Demi-fiend reaches level 95 or above and performs the special fusion consisting of the demons Barong and Rangda.
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE[]
Shiva appears as a powerful event boss, spawning with Nandi, Parvati and Ganesha. Acquiring his plug-in within game requires achieving the highest monthly score within the Ultimate Battle Coliseum and completing the Champion Course. He can be fused by a Kartikeya variant, Parvati and Ganesha. Only after Rangda and Barong's plug-ins were implemented were players also able to fuse him in the traditional double-fusion.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey[]
Shiva again can be fused through special fusion between Barong and Rangda.
Shin Megami Tensei IV[]
Shiva returns as a special fusion between Barong and Rangda. The Terminal Guardian uses Barong and Rangda to defend the final terminal; when they are defeated, he fuses them into Shiva and resumes the fight.
Shin Megami Tensei V[]
Shiva is the leader of the Indian Branch of Bethel, although he himself seldomly acts on his own and has Vasuki do most of the work for him. Compared to most games with 3D models, Shiva's color palette is based on his Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner apperance rather than his colors from Soul Hackers.
The protagonist can meet him by a leyline next to the area where Vasuki was defeated, meditating in the summit area (which he designed); the protagonist must be level 80 or higher in order to enter. He is surprised to see him and states that he has no intention for the throne, as they will inevitably bring forth corruption and that the world should be left to him and Brahma, as his belief that a being should not be allowed to recreate the world, but rather have the beings themselves be created anew. Aogami will ask the protagonist if they should fight him, beginning the "A Universe in Peril" quest. If the protagonist chooses to challenge him, Shiva will be surprised but accept.
He serves as the game's regular ultimate boss and is a particularly difficult foe:
Shiva uses his first two turns by casting Tandava, an area-of-effect skill that deals severe Almighty damage and also drops targets' Defense to rock bottom for three turns. He will then call fellow Hindu demons to assist him, consisting of Ganesha, Kali, Dakini and Parvati on a loop and capped at 2 at a time, provided that space is available. Later on in the fight, Ananta will appear, who has his own unique slot for a total of 3 additional demons if Shiva is alone. All of these demons are level 92.
Shiva will almost always perform Tandava and call allies if he is the only combatant on the field.
The reinforcing demons are also capable of calling allies, although they share the same rules as Shiva.
If Fierce Roar is used, or the whole party is immune (or better) to Physical, he will cast Megidolaon. Using Phys Dampeners or Phys Block will not trigger this behavior.
If Shiva gathers Magatsuhi, he and any allied demons will go on the offensive.
Bringing demons that can use Ice, Force and Fire are recommended to make use of additional half-turns. Shiva, Kali, Dakini are weak to Ice, Ananta to Force and Parvati to Fire. It is recommended to leave one enemy demon alive, which is usually Ganesha due to his weak attacks and debuffs; having demons that void Physical will also burn a significant amount of enemy turns. The remaining three primary demons are usually a headache if left alone, as they generally apply various, more harmful debuffs onto the party. Ananta must be killed as not only does he possess Ice Block to cover Shiva, Kali and Dakini's weaknesses, but also Mediarama that will heal Shiva for ~25% of his health if given the chance.
Once defeated, Shiva congratulates the protagonist for defeating him, but warns him that there are many forms of Rudra that he should overcome if he wishes to become a true ruler before dying. He is unlocked for fusion afterwards, requiring a special fusion of Barong and Rangda. He is the strongest Fury in-game and retains his Tandava skill.
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers[]
"The Hindu creator and destroyer of the world. Also known as Vishnu, Shiva is revered as the highest god. His weapon is a trident of light, and his third eye is said to be able to set the world ablaze."
—Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers 3DS compendium
Shiva can be metamorphosed into the Trishula, the most powerful sword in the game. He is the highest level demon that can be obtained by the protagonist, at level 85. Shiva is also used in the battle with Kyouji Kuzunoha in the Extra Dungeon.
Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon[]
Unlike previous games, fusing Shiva does not require the special fusion of Barong and Rangda.
Soul Hackers 2[]
"The great god who governs both the destruction and creation of the world. He is the most worshiped god in Hinduism alongside Vishnu. It is said that he purifies the world through destruction, only to later rebuild it anew, and though he casts his terrible wrath against the demons, he is also known to bless his followers. Shiva has been depicted in many ways, but the most common is for him to have four hands, one face, and three eyes. He wields a trident, or trishula, and his third eye is said to emit a ray of light that destroys all it touches."
—Soul Hackers 2 demon info
Shiva is a demon of the Fury race and can be summoned through fusion at the Cirque du Goumaden once Ringo reaches level 85. Summoning Shiva requires a special fusion of Rangda and Barong, both of which can be found in the 24th Ward Municipal Tower Bone Area, with Rangda appearing as a common enemy recruitable through Demon Recon and Barong appearing as a rare recruitment opportunity in the area. Otherwise, Barong can also be fused to obtain him for Shiva's fusion.
Megami Ibunroku Persona[]
At level 96, Shiva is the highest-level Persona of the Chariot Arcana. The game does not follow the tradition of fusing Rangda and Barong, instead the protagonist needs to fuse Kwanca and Ganesha and add the Totem Maxi Tempest, dropped by Fenrir. Upon being returned in the Velvet Room at MAX Rank, Shiva produces a Scorching Tablet.
Persona 3[]
"One of the triad of main deities in Hindu myth. He is known as the destroyer, but is also related to regeneration. His wife is Parvati."
—Persona 3 compendium
Shiva appears as one of the Personas of the Tower Arcana. 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 SpellArdhanari. 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.
In FES, fusing Shiva with a Nihil weapon grants the strongest spear-type weapon, Pinaka.
Reload[]
Shiva's color palette in this version of the game uses his Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner colors rather than his Soul Hackers colors used in the previous versions of the game.
Persona 4[]
Shiva appears as the ultimate Persona of the Tower Arcana. Shiva's fusion 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.
Persona 5[]
"One of the major Hindu gods, he is known as the Destroyer but is also related to regeneration. His wife is Parvati."
—Persona 5 background
Shiva is the fifth Persona of the Judgement Arcana and can only be obtained through fusion in the Velvet Room. The protagonist must use Barong and Rangda in a fusion to summon Shiva. He is the second of three Personas to learn the Psycho Force skill and the first Persona to learn Riot Gun and Psycho Blast. When itemized through Electric Chair execution, Shiva produces the Megido Fire shotgun for Ryuji Sakamoto, which has 380 ATK, 98 ACC, fires 3 times per turn and adds the Critical Rate up effect (low) to Ryuji's Gun attacks. Shiva is one of the ingredients required to summon Ardha through a special fusion with Parvati.
Royal[]
When itemized during a fusion alarm, Shiva will yield the Megido Blaster shotgun for Ryuji Sakamoto instead, which has 380 ATK, 85 ACC, and adds the High Burn effect to Ryuji's Gun attacks. It is the best gun in the game for Ryuji, as the Megido Fire was nerfed and now only has 350 ATK.
DemiKids Light & Dark[]
"A powerful demon with four arms and a third eye that provides it with foresight."
Shiva appears as an optional boss in the eastern room of the 6th Layer of the Sun 3F, opposite the room in which Vishnu resides. To challenge them, the party must have collected the Pinaka item from Parvati, who can be found from the 5th Layer of the Sun onwards. Shiva will test the party's worth, stating that if he cannot be defeated, then the world does not deserve to exist.
During the battle, Shiva can be damaged by Fire and Ice during the first turn. Any other elemental magic will be repelled. From the second turn onwards, Shiva's vulnerability will shift through the elements by one each turn, with his vulnerabilities changing according to this pattern. Shiva is neutral to Gun attacks and absorbs physical attacks regardless of his current turn cycle.
Fire and Ice
Ice and Elec
Elec and Force
Force and Earth
Earth only
All elements
(Repeat loop)
Each time he uses Third Eye signifies the turn where all elements can affect him before the cycle resets. Having the Null Nerve skill will prevent the Stun effect from Third Eye, and Dekunda will remove the Rakunda debuff caused by the Ragnarok skill and neutralize his Debilitate.
Shiva is susceptible to Almighty attacks, but will retaliate with Third Eye on the next turn if hit by one. If this happens on the sixth turn of his cycle he will use Third Eye twice in a row, which even a high-level party is unlikely to survive.
Avoid debuffing Shiva's parameters to -3 and buffing party's parameters to +3, as this will trigger Shiva into using Psycho Rage, Dekaja/Dekunda, Mind Charge, Power Charge, Third Eye, and Ragnarok, which is nearly impossible to survive.
After being defeated, the Aksara Mantra will become available from the terminals. The party can also collect the Turn Ring from Shiva's chamber, which adds one turn icon for the party.
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 Survivor 2 / Record Breaker[]
"The Hindu creator and destroyer of the world. Along with Vishnu, Shiva is one of the most revered gods in Hindu faith. He purifies the world through destruction and reconstructs it. Though he uses his destructive force towards demons, he grants blessings to believers. There are various depictions of Shiva, but the common version has four arms, one face, and three eyes. His weapon is a trident of light, and his third eye is said to be able to set the world ablaze."
—Devil Survivor 2 compendium
Shiva is sought out during the 5th Day because his Pasupata is the only thing capable of shooting Alioth down from its otherwise unreachable altitude. As Shiva is known as the "Lord of Dance," an expert dancer is needed to coax him out; Hinako Kujou volunteers for the job of reviving him. After he and Kama are successfully revived, the myth involving the two gods is reenacted; Kama shoots Shiva with an arrow, and the enraged Shiva incinerates him with his Pasupata, knocking Alioth down in the process.
If the protagonist does not support Daichi, Shiva appears during the fight with Hinako and Jungo. Defeating Shiva unlocks the ability to fuse him in the Cathedral of Shadows. Shiva can only be fused by fusing Rangda and Barong.
In Record Breaker Shiva can appear in the DLC stages should the protagonists level reach 75, where he will appear as a random encounter with a powerful Garuda and Ananta. The boss music plays for these fights.
The Animation[]
Shiva plays his part in bringing down Alioth. However, this version of Shiva does not speak, and the process of summoning him seemed to go faster than in the original game, where the protagonist was required to protect Hinako from multiple demon teams while she attempted to summon him. This time, no such complication existed. Additionally, rather than be provoked from being hit by arrows, Shiva became angry at the sight of Kama himself, which prompted him to immediately throw Pasupata at his rival. In the process, Pasupata hit Alioth's core directly, bringing the Septentrione to a swift death and leaving the shell to fall.
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2[]
"The Hindu creator and destroyer of the world. Along with Vishnu, Shiva is one of the most revered gods in the Hindu faith. There is a belief that he will destroy the world near its end, purifying it during its reconstruction. He uses his destructive force towards demons and bestows blessings on to those who worship him. His weapon is a trident of light, and his third eye is said to be able to burn evil doers."
Inflicts Phys (Physical) damage with 140 power on All Enemies.
Innate
Serial Killer
Auto
+10% to multiple-target attack skill damage.
Innate
Pralaya
7 MP
Inflicts Almighty (Magic) damage with 100 power on All Enemies while removing Repel Phys and Repel Mag. The damage inflicted by this skill is dependent on Phys ATK.
Innate
Null Charm
Auto
Adds Null Charm
Common
God's Hand
8 MP
Inflicts Phys (Physical) damage with 200 power on a Single Enemy.
Aragami (Awaken)
Strength Amp III
Auto
+15 to Strength.
Aragami (Gacha)
Rebellion
4 MP
Self enters a state of Might. The next Phys attack will have a Critical effect.
Protector (Awaken)
Mortal Jihad
6 MP
Inflicts Phys (Physical) damage with 30% crit rate and 155 power on a Single Enemy.
Protector (Gacha)
Evade
Auto
+20% Phys evasion rate.
Psychic (Awaken)
Binge Eating
6 MP
Inflicts Phys (Physical) damage with 140 power on a Single Enemy, while healing caster 40% of damage dealt.
+25% to Critical hit rate, +20% to AC. Casts Rebellion on self at the beginning of the 1st turn.
Innate
Third Eye
8 MP
Inflicts Almighty (Physical) damage (Power: 130) on all enemies. The damage inflicted by this skill is dependent on Mag ATK. Counter effects will not work on this skill.
Innate
Soul Drain
8 MP
Inflicts Almighty (Magic) damage with 140 power on a Single Enemy, while healing caster 40% of damage dealt and drains 1 MP.
Aragami (Awaken)
Null Mute
Auto
Adds Null Mute
Aragami (Gacha)
Blood Rush
6 MP
Increases own parties ATK and EV/AC by 20%. (3 turns)
Protector (Awaken)
Great Aim
Auto
+20% to Phys hit rate.
Protector (Gacha)
Savage Glee
Auto
+25% to Critical hit rate.
Psychic (Awaken)
Mana Aid
Auto
Recovers 10 MP when clearing a wave.
Psychic (Gacha)
Drain Force
Auto
Adds Force Drain.
Elementalist (Awaken)
Null Charm
Auto
Adds Null Charm
Elementalist (Gacha)
Quotes[]
Devil Survivor 2[]
"How dare you!? I see you haven't been burned enough. I'll grant your wish!"