Lord Shiva (Mahadev)
God of gods, the kind-hearted Bholenath and the auspicious Shankar
Introduction
Lord Shiva is one of the Trimurti: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the god of dissolution and transformation. He remains absorbed in meditation on Mount Kailash, with the Ganga in his matted hair and the moon on his head. He is pleased even by someone who offers a single pot of water with a sincere heart, and so he is called "Bholenath", the innocent Lord. Gujarat is home to holy Jyotirlingas such as Somnath and Nageshwar.
Mantra
Om Namah Shivaya
Read part by part
Parts of the story
5 parts • about 10 min of reading in all
Part 1 • 2 min
The Endless Pillar of Light
A dispute between Brahma and Vishnu, an endless pillar of light, and the glory of Mahashivratri.
Part 2 • 2 min
Sati and Daksha's Sacrifice
Daksha Prajapati's pride, Sati giving up her body, Virabhadra and the origin of the Shakti Peethas.
Part 3 • 2 min
The Marriage of Shiva and Parvati
Parvati's fierce penance, Kamadeva burned to ash, Shiva's test and a wedding procession like no other.
Part 4 • 2 min
Neelkanth and Gangadhar
The deadly Halahala poison from the churning of the ocean, and the descent of the Ganga through Bhagiratha's penance.
Part 5 • 2 min
Bholenath, Mahakal and Nataraj
Grace for Markandeya, the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, the dance of Nataraj and devotion in the month of Shravan.