The Different Avatars Of Shiva
Lord Shiva is revered and praised in the Sanatana Dharma as the most powerful figure of the Holy Trinity in Hinduism. Also known as Mahadeva, He is the Supreme Divine.
He is the “destroyer”. By destruction, we refer to the end of Evil and Injustice. Thus, Lord Shiva maintains balance by destroying “Adharma” leading to the uprise of law, order, justice, and truth. In order to do so, He is said to have taken various forms known as the “avatars of Shiva”. They are the incarnations of the Supreme that manifested in human forms. This blog will tell you about Lord Shiva’s avatars as mentioned in the Shiva Puran.
How many avatars did Lord Shiva have?
According to the Shiva Puran, Lord Shiva had 19 avatars. They signify His divine power. Often referred to as the Supreme God, His manifestations in different forms represent a unique symbolism. Each has its own unique power and purpose for being created.
What are the 19 forms of Lord Shiva?
The 19 avatars of Lord Shiva as mentioned in the Shiva Puran are:
1. Piplaad:
Piplaad was born to Sage Dadhichi and his wife Suvarcha. His father died before he was born. He was raised by his aunt Dadhimati. When he grew up and learned about the cause of his father’s death, he was enraged and wanted to exact revenge. He was told by the Gods that Shani Dev was responsible for his father’s untimely death. Knowing this, he cursed Shani Dev that who would lose his position among the celestial bodies and fall off from the galaxy. Shani Dev begged for mercy and forgiveness.
After being calmed down by the Gods, he finally agreed to do so. But he posed a condition that Shani Dev would never affect anyone below the age of 16 years.
It is because of this reason that persons afflicted with Shani Dosha worship the Piplaad avatar of Shiva. It helps them overcome the malefic effects of an unfavourable position of the planet Saturn.
2. Nandi:
Sage Shilada performed extreme penance which pleased Lord Shiva. He granted him the boon of an immortal child. Thereafter, he manifested in the form of his son as Nandi. Nandi represents masculine vigour and is the protector of the herds. He is represented as a fierce and strong bull in temples. In his human form, he is known as “Nandikeshwar.” He has four hands. Two hands are folded in homage. The remaining two hold an axe and an antelope each.
Nandi is said to be the biggest devotee of Lord Shiva and is the gatekeeper of his abode Mount Kailash. Mentioning one’s wishes in the ears of Nandi is a sure way of reaching them to Mahadev and having them fulfilled.
3. Veerbhadra:
The fiercest of all of Shiva’s avatars, He was born of Shiva’s matted hair or the “jata”. He rose from Shiva’s hair that was plucked out by him in anger. This happened after Lord Shiva’s wife, Sati, immolated herself in the Daksha Yagna who insulted the Supreme God.
The Veerbhadra avatar killed King Daksha as he was responsible for Sati’s death. Not only this, he stopped the yagna by polluting the offering, breaking the sacrificial vessels, and insulting the priests. He caused utter chaos in the ceremonial palace and even trampled Lord Indra and broke Yama’s staff.
4. Bhairav:
This is another of the fierce avatars of Shiva. He was born when Lord Brahma’s lie angered Lord Shiva. This avatar then cut off the fifth head of Brahma. However, he was guilty of killing a Brahmin. To absolve his sin, He had to roam as a beggar for 12 years carrying Brahma’s head.
Bhairav (or Kaal Bhairav) avatar guards the 52 Shakti Peethas in India.
He represents the destruction and downfall of arrogance, lie, lust, and negativity. Worshipping this form ensures victory over one’s enemies and achieving material success in life.
5. Ashwatthama:
The son of Guru Dronacharya and his wife Kripi, he is one of the most powerful avatars of Shiva. He was born when Lord Shiva drank the Halahal poison that emerged during the churning of the ocean. That is why he is also known as the “Vish Purush.” He is a valiant warrior who is capable of killing oppressive Kshatriyas. He is one of 8 Chiranjeevi's. Although born in a Brahmin family, he was attracted to Kshatriyahood or warfare.
6. Sharabh:
This avatar is partly a lion and partly a bird. Lord Shiva manifested him to tame Lord Narsimha (the fiercest half-lion half-man avatar of Lord Vishnu). He is portrayed as having 30 arms (each carrying a weapon) and 8 legs. Worshipping this form is believed to bring good luck and remove negativity.
7. Grihapati:
This avatar of Shiva is the “Lord of directions.” Grihapati was born to Sage Vishwanar and his wife Shuchismati after Lord Shiva was pleased by their devotion. When Grihapati learned that his malefic planetary position would be the cause of his early death, he went to Kashi for performing penance. His journey was interrupted by Lord Indra who also tried to kill him. Lord Shiva appeared and not only saved his life but also gave a boon to Grihapati that even the Kaalvajra would not be able to harm him.
8. Durvasa:
Sage Durvasa, son of Sage Atri and his wife Anusuya, was revered equally by humans and Gods. Known for his extremely short temper, he was believed to be responsible for maintaining discipline on Earth.
9. Hanuman:
An ardent devotee of Lord Ram, Hanuman is one of Shiva’s avatars. He was born to Anjani when the Saptarishis implanted the burst of energy of Lord Shiva on seeing the Mohini form of Lord Shiva into her womb. This was done with the permission of Lord Shiva. Worshipping Hanuman gives his devotees freedom from all forms of fear and sickness.
10. Rishabh:
An avatar of Shiva, Rishabh appeared in the form of an ox. The purpose of this manifestation was to defeat the illicit sons of Lord Vishnu who were wreaking havoc on all life forms including humans and the Gods.
11. Yatinath:
Disguised as a poor man with no shelter, the Yatinath avatar of Lord Shiva tested the hospitality of a tribal couple. Aahuk, the tribal man, lost his life by providing shelter to the avatar and his wife was proud of his husband for his sacrifice. Pleased, Lord Shiva granted them the boon of being reincarnated as Nala and Damayanti in their next birth. He himself would then reunite the couple.
12. Krishna Darshan:
This avatar of Shiva is a spiritual guide. He helped Nabhag, son of King Shradhadeva, attain salvation. He taught the prince the importance of Yagnas and the significance of detachment.
13. Bhikshuvarya:
Lord Shiva took this avatar to protect the child of King Satyaratha after the death of his parents. The child was blessed by Shiva and eventually raised by a poor lady.
14. Sureshwar:
Disguised as Lord Indra, this avatar of Shiva manifested to test the devotion of Upamanyu, the son of Sage Vyaghrapad. When Upamanyu passed the test, Lord Shiva promised to stay with Mata Parvati in the vicinity of his hermitage.
15. Kirateshwar:
One of Shiva’s avatars was a hunter named Kirat. He appeared during Arjuna’s meditation to test him. Impressed with his valour and strength, He gifted him the Pahupata Astra.
16. Suntantarka:
The dancer, who danced with his damru in the court of King Himalaya. This avatar of Shiva manifested to seek permission from the king of the mountains for Mata Parvati’s hand in marriage.
17. Bhrahmachari:
Lord Shiva appeared in this form to test Mata Parvati’s devotion to him before their marriage.
18. Yaksheswar:
During the churning of the ocean for extracting “Amrit”, the Gods became possessed of immense pride. To destroy their false pride and ego, Lord Shiva took this avatar. He presented them with a bunch of grass to cut. None of them could cut the divine grass.
19. Avadhut:
This avatar of Shiva manifested to destroy the ego of Lord Indra.
Shri Gauri Shankar Mandir:
Learn more about the different Gods of Sanatana Dharma and their avatars at Shri Gauri Shankar Mandir. This Hindu temple in Brampton provides an environment to progress on your spiritual journey. Seek the blessings of the avatars of Shiva by performing the Abhishekam of the Shiva Linga.
