Lord Shiva is the Lord of mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed and anger, and awakens wisdom in His devotees. It is from destruction that creation again rises; hence destruction is the ultimate cause, the unmanifest origin of creation. Shiva, the power of disintegration alone remains in the beginning and the end. The Lord's attributes represent his victory over the demonic activity, and the calmness of human nature. His vehicle is a bull (symbol of happiness and strength) named Nandi. Shiva-Linga is a representation of him. Shiva temples have Shiva-Linga as the main deity.