The Grihapati avatar of Lord Shiva was born to a sage named Vishwanar and his wife, who lived on the Narmada banks. In some texts, the Sharabha avatar is said to have eight legs. The Lord appeared as a being that partly looked like a lion and bird. This form of Lord Shiva appeared to calm Lord Narasimha after the latter killed demon Hiranyakashipu. Therefore, pleased by Guru Dronacharya's devotion, Lord Shiva took birth as Ashwatthama, an able warrior who played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata.
He wanted the Lord to be born as his son. Guru Dronacharya had performed intense penance to please Lord Shiva.
These negative traits often lead to one's downfall, and hence the purpose of the Bhairava avatar. Referred to as Dandapani, the Bhairava Avatar punishes those who are greedy, lustful and arrogant. The Bhairava Avatar also is one of the fiercest avatars of Lord Shiva. The Veerabhadra form of Lord Shiva destroyed King Daksha's Yagya and beheaded him for being responsible for Sati's death. Lord Shiva incarnated as Veerabhadra after his wife Sati's death. The Veerabhadra avatar of Lord Shiva is one of his fiercest forms. Therefore, pleased by Sage's devotion, Lord Shiva took birth as Nandi, who then became the gate-keeper of Kailasha (Lord Shiva's heavenly abode) and the mount of the Lord. The sage performed intense penance to seek Lord Shiva's blessings and asked for a child who would remain immortal. This form of Lord Shiva was born to Sage Shilada. Therefore, those who have Shani Dosha worship Lord Shiva. However, after the Devas intervened, Piplaad agreed to forgive Shani by saying that none below sixteen would get affected by his adverse effects. As a result, Shani Dev fell from the galaxy. He wanted to avenge Shani Dev for causing troubling his father during his lifetime. As he grew up and learnt about the cause of his father's death, Piplaad cursed Shani Dev (Saturn). However, he lost his parent's son after his birth. This avatar of Lord Shiva was born to Sage Dadhichi and his wife, Swarcha. The nineteen avatars of Lord Shiva Piplaad Avatar Ahead of Maha Shivratri this year, learn more about the avatars of Lord Shiva. Hailed as Bholenath, Mahadev, Shankar and various other names, Lord Shiva has incarnated several times to serve multiple purposes. Therefore, the day, popular as Maha Shivratri, commemorates the Lord and his consort's marriage. This auspicious day is also believed to be when Lord Shiva (Purusha) united with Parvati (Shakti). It is said that the Linga form of Lord Shiva came into being on the Chaturdashi Tithi, Krishna Paksha in Phalguna month (as per the Purnimant calendar). It is Lord Shiva who is also worshipped in the form of a Linga. This Hindu deity, in a human form, is seen sitting in a meditative posture.
Therefore, Lord Shiva could be best described as a "constructive destroyer." And this "destruction" paves the way for creation all over again. Nonetheless, the "destruction" referred to here is not the dogmatic destruction of creation but the intrinsic negative human traits, imperfections and illusions. He is hailed as the "destroyer" while Brahma is the "creator" and Vishnu is the "protector". Lord Shiva is one of the towering deities of the Hindu trinity. Nonetheless, the "destruction" referred to here is not the dogmatic destruction of creation but the intrinsic negative human traits, imperfections and illusions.Havyavahana – Carrier Of Sacrificial Offerings I.e. Jnanagamya – Attainable Through Perfect Knowledge –Īloksambhavya – Whose Existence Is Inferred As Possible Through Lustre Smasanastha – Staying In The Cremation Ground Smasananilaya – Residing In Cremation Ground Pasupati – Lord Of Beasts, The Individual Souls Ksamaksetra – Splitter Of The Eyes Of Bhaga Samadhivedya – Who Can Be Realised Through Tranceĭharmadhyaksa – Presiding Deity Of Virtue Lokavarnottama – Excellent Of All Castes In The World Sarvapramanasamvadin – In Whom All Authorities And Proof AgreeĪnadimadhyanidhana – With No Beginning, Middle Or End Jnanagamya – Accessible To Perfect Knowledge Trivarga – Bestower Of Virtue, Wealth And Love Vedantasarasandoha – The Essence Of Vedanta Philosophy The Shiva Sahasranama Stotra.Īrthigamya – Accessible To The SuppliantsĬandramauli – With Moon For Its Crest-jewel As the various sects of Hindu-tradition (Shaivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism) grew and spread, it must have become extremely popular to write hymns of a thousand names for the primary Deity of worship. Sahasranama means thousand (sahasra) names (nama), and Sahasranama Stotra is a hymn eulogizing the Lord by recounting one thousand of His names.