One of the names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Shiva-Mahadeva). Ākāśa ( Akasa; the ether) or byoma is one of the Pañcamahābhūta (Panchamahabhuta, five great elements) : kṣiti (kshiti), ap (ap), teja, marut and byoma or ākāśa– the whole universe has been made by these pañcabhūtas. It is stated in the Taittirīya-upaniṣad (Taittiriya Upanisad) that in the very beginning of Creation the ether was created at first from Brahman or Paramātmā (Paramatma; the Supreme Soul), , Vāyu (Wind) was then created from Ākāśa (sky or ether), Agni (Fire) from Vāyu, Ap (Water) from Agni, and Kṣiti (the Earth) from Āpah.–
tasmādvā etasmādātmana ākāśaḥ sambhūtaḥ
ākāśādvāyuḥ.
It is depicted more than once in Mahābhārata and in the Purāṇas. The Creator of the Pañcamahābhūta is Parameśvara (Parameswara; the Supreme Divinity). Byoma or Ākāśa, one of the five elements is His Part (partial incarnation). Lord Śiva is the own form of that Brahman, the Creator of the world, and the First Creation — Byoma or Ākāśa — it is also His own form. In this context He is addressed as Ākāśanirvirūpa (Akashanirvirupa) in the Śivasahasranāmastotra (Shivasahasranamastotra).