19 Avatars of Lord Shiva:Interesting facts about the Avatars

Lord Shiva is regarded and honoured as the most powerful member of Hinduism's Holy Trinity. He is also known as Mahadeva, or the Supreme Divine. He is the "destroyer". We use the term destruction to allude to the end of evil and injustice. Thus, Lord Shiva preserves balance by eradicating "Adharma," which leads to the emergence of law, order, justice, and truth. In order to do this, He is supposed to have taken many shapes known as "avatars of Shiva". They are the Supreme's manifestations in human form. This blog will teach you about Lord Shiva's incarnations as described in the Shiva Puran.

Table of Contents

1. How many incarnations did Lord Shiva have?
2. What are 19 forms of Lord Shiva?
1. Piplaad - Meditates deeply, embodying inner peace.
2. Nandi - The loyal bull, symbolising unwavering devotion.
3. Veerbhadra - The fierce warrior, born from Shiva's wrath.
4. Bhairava - The fearsome guardian, violent but protecting.
5. Ashwatthama - An immortal warrior with an eternal curse.
6. Sharath - The mighty form that overcomes opposing energy
7. Grihapati - Preside over houses and provide blessings.
8. Durvasa - An irascible sage famed for his fury.
9. Hanuman - The strong monkey god, a symbol of devotion and strength.
10. Rishabh - The cosmic form, embodying the universe's complexity.
11. Yatinath - The ascetic traveller, separated but kind.
12. Krishna darshan. 6 darshan-
13. Bhikshu Verya - The humble beggar, teaching the value of humility and simplicity.
14. Sureshwar - The auspicious form that showers blessings on followers.
15. Kirateshwar - The celestial hunter who bestows gifts with a single arrow.
16. Suntanarka - The benevolent form, bestowing auspiciousness upon all.
17. Brahmachri - The celibate ascetic who represents self-discipline.
18. Yakeshwar - The beneficent way of bestowing.
19. Avadhut - An enlightened creature without earthly attachments

 

How many incarnations did Lord Shiva have? 

According to the Shiva Puran, Lord Shiva has 19 incarnations. They represent His heavenly might. His appearances in many forms, which are sometimes referred to as the Supreme God, each reflect a distinct symbolic meaning. Each has its own distinct strength and reason for being formed. 

What are the 19 forms of Lord Shiva?

The Shiva Purana mentions 19 incarnations of Lord Shiva, which are:

1. Piplaad - Meditates deeply, embodying inner peace.

 Piplaad was born to Sage Dadhichi and his wife Suvarcha. His father died before his birth. He was nurtured by his aunt, Dadhimati. When he grew up and discovered the cause of his father's murder, he became outraged and sought vengeance. The Gods told him that Shani Dev was responsible for his father's tragic death. Knowing this, he cursed Shani Dev, saying that he would lose his position among the celestial bodies and plummet from the cosmos. Shani Dev asked for pity and forgiveness. After being soothed by the Gods, he ultimately consented to do so. But he added a condition: Shani Dev would never impact anybody under the age of 16. This is why people with Shani Dosha revere Shiva's Piplaad form. It helps individuals overcome the negative consequences of an unfavourable position of Lord Shani.

2 .Nandi - The loyal bull, symbolising unwavering devotion.

Sage Shilada practised tremendous penance, which delighted Lord Shiva. He granted him the blessing of having an everlasting kid. He then materialised as his son, Nandi. Nandi denotes manly power and protects the animals. He is depicted as a ferocious and powerful bull in temples. In human form, he is referred to as "Nandikeshwar." He has four hands. Two hands are folded in devotion. The last two have an axe and an antelope apiece. Nandi is considered to be Lord Shiva's biggest devotee and the gatekeeper of his residence, Mount Kailash. Mentioning one's desires to Nandi ensures that they reach Mahadev and are fulfilled.

3. Veerbhadra - The fierce warrior, born from Shiva's wrath

The deadliest of Shiva's avatars, He was created from Shiva's matted hair, called the "jata". He rose from Shiva's hair, which he had torn out in fury. This occurred when Lord Shiva's wife, Sati, immolated herself at the Daksha Yagna, insulting the Supreme God. The Veerbhadra avatar assassinated King Daksha since he was responsible for Sati's death. Not only that, but he disrupted the yagna by contaminating the offerings, damaging the sacrifice utensils, and insulting the priests. He produced complete mayhem in the ceremonial palace, stomped Lord Indra, and broke Yama's staff.

4. Bhairava - The fearsome guardian, violent but protecting.

This is another one of Shiva's ferocious avatars. He was born after Lord Shiva got upset by Lord Brahma's deceit. This avatar then severed the fifth head of Brahma. However, he was convicted of murdering a Brahmin. To atone for his wrongdoing, he had to walk as a beggar for 12 years, carrying Brahma's head. The Bhairav (or Kaal Bhairav) incarnation guards India's 51 Shakti Peethas. He represents the ruin and downfall of pride, deception, desire, and negativity. Worshipping this form guarantees victory over one's foes and material success in life.

5. Ashwatthama- An immortal warrior with an eternal curse.

 He is the son of Guru Dronacharya and his wife Kripi, and one of Shiva's most powerful avatars. He was created when Lord Shiva drank the Halahal poison that arose during the Samudra Manthan. This is why he is sometimes referred to as the "Vish Purush." He was a brave warrior who could kill cruel Kshatriyas. He is one of the eight Chiranjeevis. Despite being born into a Brahmin household, he was drawn to kshatriya hood, or battle.

6. Sharath: The mighty form that overcomes opposing energy

This avatar is half lion, half bird. Lord Shiva created him to subdue Lord Narsimha (Lord Vishnu's most powerful half-lion, half-man form). He is depicted as having 30 arms (each with a weapon) and eight legs. Worshipping this shape is thought to bring good fortune and eradicate negativity. 

7. Grihapati: Preside over houses and provide blessings.

This Shiva avatar is the "Lord of Directions." Grihapati was born to Sage Vishwanar and his wife Shuchismati after Lord Shiva was pleased with their devotion. When Grihapati realised that his malefic planetary position would be the cause of his premature death, he travelled to Kashi to perform penance. Lord Indra interrupted his travels and attempted to murder him. Lord Shiva appeared and not only saved his life, but also bestowed a blessing on Grihapati, ensuring that even the Kaalvajra could not hurt him.

8. Durvasa: An irascible sage famed for his fury.

Sage Durvasa, son of Sage Atri and his wife Anusuya, was revered by both humans and gods. Due to his incredibly quick temper, he was thought to be responsible for keeping discipline on Earth. 

9. Hanuman: The strong monkey god, a symbol of devotion and strength.

Hanuman, an ardent follower of Lord Ram, is one of Shiva's incarnations. He was born to Anjani when the Saptarishis implanted Lord Shiva's blast of energy into her womb after seeing her Mohini form. This was done with Lord Shiva's approval. Worshipping Hanuman liberates his worshipers from all types of fear and illness.

10. Rishabh: The cosmic form, embodying the universe's complexity.

During the Samundra Manthan, Lord Vishnu tricked all of the asuras by creating a mirage of beautiful women. When the asuras saw them, they coercively carried these lovely ladies to their home, Patal Lok. From that point forward, they returned to bear responsibility for the Amrit taken by the celestial ones. While Vishnu went to demolish them at Patal Loka, he eventually fell engaged with the Maya and fathered several corrupt children there, causing a ruckus for the Gods. It was then that Lord Shiva Avatar of Rishabh emerged as a bull and slaughtered all of Lord Vishnu's awful children. Lord Vishnu arrived to deal with Lord Shiva's bull avatar, but when he realised it was Lord Shiva's Avatar, he abandoned the battle and returned to his Baikhund.

11 .Yatinath: The ascetic traveller, separated but kind.

The Yatinath avatar of Lord Shiva, disguised as a poor man without shelter, tested a tribal couple's hospitality. Aahuk, the tribal guy, died while providing shelter to the avatar, and his wife was proud of him for his sacrifice. Lord Shiva was pleased and awarded them the benefit of being reincarnated as Nala and Damayanti in their next birth. He would then reconcile the couple. 

12. Krishna darshan: realistic and explains the importance of customs.

The Lord Shiva Avatar of Krishna Darshan discusses the importance of yagna and rituals in a person's life. Prince Nabhag, who had been barred from his half of the realm by his siblings, was ordered by his father to educate a sage how to dispose of all of his connections in order to execute a yajna successfully. When the yagna was completed successfully, Sage Angiras was ready to give him all of the plenty, but was interrupted by Krishan Darshan Avatar of Shiva. Krishna Darshan Avatar showed Nabhag the value of religious salvation and gave his aashirwad to him. 

`13. Bhikshu Verya: The humble beggar, teaching the value of humility and simplicity.

This Lord Shiva Avatar is acknowledged for protecting humans from any worldly threats that may arise. He took on the appearance of a bhikshuk after King Sathyartha perished in war, his wife was killed by a crocodile, and their newborn was abandoned in a wilderness. He protected the infant and placed him in the care of a poor lady, who raised him until he grew up to avenge his father's death and recapture his lost kingdom.

14. Sureshwar: The auspicious form that showers blessings on followers

This avatar of Shiva, disguised as Lord Indra, appeared to test the devotion of Upamanyu, Sage Vyaghrapad's son. When Upamanyu passed the test, Lord Shiva agreed to reside with Mata Parvati near his hermitage. 

15. Kirateshwar: The celestial hunter who bestows gifts with a single arrow.

Kirat (a hunter), one of Lord Shiva's 19 avatars, appeared to earth while Arjuna was about to kill an Asura disguised as a pig named Mooka. Arjun's thoughts was interrupted by the sudden apparition of Lord Shiva's Avatar, and upon sighting the boar, Arjun and the Kirat hit it simultaneously. A battle broke out between the Kirat and Arjuna over who struck the animal first. The latter challenged Kirat to a duel. Master Shiva was amazed by Arjuna's bravery and offered the young champion his Pashupati Astra.

16. Suntanarka: The benevolent form, bestowing auspiciousness upon all.

This Lord Shiva Avatar requested Goddess Parvati's hand in marriage from her renowned father, Himalaya. He disguised himself as a wandering dancer and entered King Himalaya's court. Holding a damru in one hand, he began performing in the king's court, captivating everyone. When asked for a recompense for his achievement, Lord Shiva, in his Suntantarka Avatar, requested Goddess Parvati's hand in marriage. When King Himalaya discovered it was Lord Shiva himself who had visited his realm, he accepted his request.

17. Brahmachari: The beneficent way of bestowing.

Among Lord Shiva's 19 Avatars, this was the one who challenged Goddess Parvati's willpower to marry him. He appeared before her as a Brahmachari and inquired about the purpose for her penance. When she expressed her desire to marry Lord Shiva, the Brahmachari began speaking poorly of him, which enraged Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva, seeing Goddess Parvati's devotion to him, showed his true form, which thrilled her.

18. Yakeshwar: The beneficent way of bestowing.

Lord Shiva opposed it when the gods became arrogant after defeating the Asuras during Samudra Manthan, because pride was not a quality that heavenly beings should possess. At that point, a Lord Shiva Avatar presented them with some grass and asked them to cut it. Lord Shiva attempted to extinguish their false pride with this magnificent grass. Nobody could cut the lawn, and the pride vanished. This form of Lord Shiva was then known as Yaksheshwar.

19. Avadhut: An enlightened creature without earthly attachments

This Lord Shiva Avatar was a reincarnation created to defeat Lord Indra's egotism. He assumed the cloak of a sage and came before Lord Indra while journeying through Mount Kailash with other Gods. When urged to move off the road, Lord Shiva in this form remained unmoved. When Lord Indra was unable to budge him despite his best efforts, his pride crumbled, and Lord Shiva revealed his actual form.