To understand Shiva we must keep in mind that every Hindu god represents a force within us. The gods enables us to have control over the force they represent.

To understand Shiva we must keep in mind that every Hindu god represents a force within us. The gods enables us to have control over the force they represent. 

The seven basic Hindu gods:

The seven basic forces are represented by seven gods.

They are,
1. Dreaming force - Indra
2. Illusory force - Shakti
3. Voluntary force - Brahma
4. Semi voluntary force - Vishnu
5. Involuntary force - Shiva
6. Status altering force - Shani
7. Compulsive force - Yama

The Semi voluntary force is the default force and Vishnu is the default god. The Semi voluntary force maintains status quo and therefore Vishnu is considered as the preserver.

The Trimurti:

The central three forces are easy to use for any one, compatible with each other and with both our thoughts and actions. Thus, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, together represent a single god called Trimurti.

What does Shiva represent?

Vishnu force is a status quo maintaining force and being of medium magnitude is not always sufficient. Therefore, if the semi voluntary force is insufficient then the mighty Shiva forces comes into play and enables us to achieve what we want. It then banishes it from the conscious mind because the status of Shiva created activity would be higher and we can't afford to use it always.

Shiva the destroyer:
Shiva is popularly known as the destroyer. However, if Brahma creates a monster it is always Vishnu who destroys it and not Shiva.

Shiva is thus considered as the destroyer because he banishes from consciousness what he creates, giving us a feeling that it is destroyed.

However, what is achieved with the Shiva force retains a separate identity, stored separately and can be used repeatedly but in an emergency only. After this the Shiva force is ready for any new emergency.

Shiva, the mightiest Hindu god:
Though Shani and Yama are mightier forces they are too dangerous to use. This makes Shiva the mightiest of the regularly worshiped gods.

Parvati, the consort of Shiva:

Parvati is symbolic of the Involuntary force in half way stage. This half way stage is necessary because the Involuntary Shiva force is not under our control and thus we have to control it slowly and systematically.

Shiva the holistic god:
Being a mighty force it is tempting to make this reserve force a holistic god. This is made possible to some extent by Parvati and sons Ganesha and Subramani.

Shani is supposed to be a follower of Shiva and is called as Shaneshwara. This belief enables us to use the Status altering Shani force through Shiva making Shiva mightier.