God · Hindu
Shiva
Shiva, a god of the Hindu world, and the gods ancient sources said were the same.
Tradition: hinduism
Documented identifications
| Link | Who said so | Note |
|---|---|---|
| identified as Dionysus | Greek writers from Alexander's campaign, late 4th c. BCE | Greek texts of Alexander's time call Shiva the "Indian Dionysus". |
| adopted as Ishanaten | Japanese Twelve Devas, early Heian period | Shiva in his form Ishana became Ishanaten among the Twelve Devas. |
| adopted as Mahakala | Vajrayana and Chinese esoteric Buddhism | Shiva's form as Great Time was taken into Buddhism as Mahakala, a fierce protector of the dharma. |