Shiva, whose name means "kind" or "merciful", combines many opposites: he is benevolent and mischievous, meditative and ecstatic, a god of the universe and yet favours certain earthly places such as Mount Kailash and the city of Benares. Shiva is worshipped in many guises, as a great yogi (Mahayogi) who practices asceticism or devotes himself to meditation, as the great lord of the world or as the lord of dance, Nataraj, who dances ignorance under his feet and destroys everything that is not based on truth and love. The great cleansing period of our planet that is currently taking place is thus symbolised by Shiva Nataraj.