Shiva Avatars: The 19 Avatars of Lord Shiva

In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities of the Hindu religion, is believed to have taken various avatars (incarnations) to fulfill specific purposes and uphold cosmic order. While there are multiple stories associated with Shiva avatars, the list of the 19 Shiva avatars, mentioned in the Hindu text of Shiva Purana, includes his most celebrated manifestations.

Lord Shiva, the embodiment of cosmic consciousness and transformative power, is believed to have taken various avatars to fulfill specific divine purposes. These avatars of Shiva offer a glimpse into the multi-faceted nature of this supreme deity, as each manifestation represents unique qualities, attributes, and divine actions. From fierce and destructive forms to benevolent and compassionate ones, the avatars of Lord Shiva encompass a diverse range of expressions, revealing the intricacies of his cosmic play and his role in upholding the balance of the universe.

^{Featured Image: WL, Shiva Bhairava ellora, CC BY 2.0}

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Table of Contents

The 19 Shiva Avatars

To sustain the law and balance of existence and re-stablish dharma, Lord Shiva assumed the form of many avatars in various yugas, however the 19 Shiva avatars mentioned in the Shiva Purana are his most celebrated manifestations:

Piplaad

The Piplaad Avatar of Lord Shiva was born to Sage Dadhichi and his wife Swarcha. Soon after his birth, Piplaad lost his parents and was raised by his aunt. When he grew up and discovered the cause of his parents’ death, he cursed god Shani (Saturn) who, as a result, fell from the galaxy, causing planetary imbalance.

However, after the intervention of the Devas, Piplaad forgave Shani on the condition that no child below sixteen would be affected by his adverse effects. This avatar of Lord Shiva helps those who have Shani Dosha (unfavorable position of Saturn in their natal chart).

Nandi (one of the most beloved Shiva avatars)

Nandi was born to Sage Shilada, a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Shilada performed intense penance and asked for a child who would remain immortal. Pleased by the sage’s devotion, Shiva assumed the form of Nandi, who later became the gatekeeper of Shiva’s abode in Kailasha.

Nandi, the bull, is also the mount of Shiva, and his statue can be seen in every Shiva temple througout India. In fact, many temples in India are exclusively built for Nandi. The Nandi avatar represents masculine vigor and is also worshipped as the protector of the herds. Lord Nandi (Nandikeswara) is depicted with a bull-face and four hands, with two hands joined in homage while in the other two he holds an antelope and an axe.

Veerabhadra (one of the fiercest Shiva avatars)

Shiva Avatars: Virabhadra — ^{Virabhadra avatar}

The Veerabhadra avatar is one of Lord Shiva’s fiercest forms. The Lord appeared in this form after his wife Sati, the daughter of sage Daksha, immolated herself at her father’s yagna. In his grief, Shiva pulled a hair strand from his head and threw it on the ground. Out of it arose Veerabhadra, who broke all the sacrificial vessels, insulted the priests, and cut off Daksha’s head. However, later, upon the request of the Gods, Lord Shiva gave Daksha the head of a goat.

Sharabha (the most powerful of Shiva avatars)

Lord Shiva manifested as Sharabha in order to tranquil and quiet Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar, a fierce lion man, after he had killed the demon Hiranyakashipu. The Sharabha avatar has been described as a frightening golden color bird with two uplifted wings, red eyes, and four legs like a lion. Its two-part body is shown as a human with the face of a lion and an ornamented crown, also having side tusks. The Sharabha avatar is shown having thirty arms, each holding an object such as a thunderbolt, chakra, sword, fire, mace, arrow, flag, a skull cup, plough, a lotus flower, a snake.

Ashwatthama

Guru Dronacharya, a great devotee of Lord Shiva wanted him to be born as his son. Pleased by his intense dedication and penance Lord Shiva was born as Ashwatthama, one of the characters in the Mahabharata. He was born as Bhardwaja’s grandson and raised as a Brahman, but he was drawn to Kshatriyahood.

Bhairava (one of the most fearsome Shiva avatars)

Shiva Avatars: Bhairava — *The Bhairava avatar*

The Bhairava avatar is the most fearsome avatar of Lord Shiva. Angered by the behavior of Lord Brahma, Shiva assumed the form of Bhairava in order to punish him. Bhairava beheaded one of Lord Brahma’s five heads, but he felt remorseful for committing Brahma Hatya Paap, a crime of killing a Brahmin.

As a punishment, Bhairava carried the skull of Brahma for twelve years and wandered as a mendicant until he was absolved of his sin. The Bhairava avatar is believed to punish arrogance, lust and greed and this is why it is also known as Dandapani, meaning the punisher. This avatar is also known as Kalabhairava, the lord of death and time.

Durvasa

Durvasa was born to the great sage Atri and his wife Anasuya, and was known for his short temper and cursing people when angered. However, due to his knowledge and achievements, he was respected by both humans and deities.

Grihapati

Vishwanar, a Brahmin, and his devoted wife Shuchismati wanted Lord Shiva to be born as their son. Their desire was granted and Shiva was born as Grihapati, who was knowledgeable in all of the Vedas, yet he was cursed to have a short lifespan due to adverse planetary positions.

When Grihapati learned about it, he went to Kashi to do penance. However, Lord Indra became furious when Grihapati refused his request to demand anything he wished, and he attacked him with his Vajra (thunderbolt). At that moment Lord Shiva appeared and protected Grihapati from Indra’s wrath. Lord Shiva blessed Grihapati who became Lord of all directions.

Vrishabha

In the story of Samudra Manthan, Vishnu tricked all the asuras from getting the elixir of immortality. Following, he went to the underworld to demolish the asuras, but he fathered many immoral sons from the women of Patala Loka. The malevolent sons of Lord Vishnu caused chaos for the gods, so Lord Shiva incarnated as Vrishabha, a bull, and killed all of Vishnu’s corrupt sons. Lord Vishnu appeared to fight the bull, however, after realizing that it was Lord Shiva’s avatar, he left and retreated to his abode.

Yatinath

The Yatinath avatar of Lord Shiva appeared in front of a tribal man and his wife to test them. The couple were ardent devotees of Lord Shiva and known for their hospitality. As their humble abode could not accommodate Lord Shiva who was disguised as a visitor, Aahuk decided to rest outside where he was killed by a wild animal while he was asleep. However, instead of mourning, his wife was proud that her husband gave his for the sake of a guest. Pleased by their devotion, Shiva blessed them, saying that they would be born as Nala and Damayanti in their next birth.

Hanuman (one of the most powerful Shiva avatars)

In the story of the churning of the ocean of milk or Samudra Manthan, Lord Shiva was so bewitched by the Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu, that his semen was spilled on the ground. It was picked up by the “saptarishis” and was later put into the belly of Anjani, with the permission of Lord Shiva. In this way, Lord Hanuman, the eleventh avatar of Lord Shiva, and one of the most powerful, was born to Kesari and Anjani. Lord Shiva assumed the form of Hanuman in order to teach the way of bhakti (devotion) by serving Lord Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Krishna Darshan

Lord Shiva’s Krishna Darshan avatar taught the importance of yagna and customs in one’s life. Prince Nabhag, who was denied his portion of the realm by his siblings, was asked by his father to teach a sage to dispose of all his attachments to perform a yajna successfully. When the yagna was completed, Sage Angiras was pleased and prepared to give Nabhag all his wealth, but he was stopped by Krishna Darshan who taught him the importance of pious salvation and blessed him.

Bhikshuvarya

The Bhikshuvarya Avatar is known for keeping human beings safe from all the dangers of the world that might befall them. Lord Shiva took the form of a beggar to save the child of King Sathyaratha, who had lost his parents and was brought up by a poor woman with Lord Shiva’s blessings.

Sureshwar

Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati appeared in disguise to test the devotion of Upamanyu, a young boy, devotee of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva’s Sureshwar avatar appeared in the disguise of Indra and goddess Parvati disguised as Indrani. They tried to convince Upamanyu to stop worshipping Shiva. Despite their efforts and curses, the boy proved his devotion and was eventually blessed by Shiva who promised to stay with Mata Parvati in the vicinity of his hermitage.

Keerat

Lord Shiva’s incarnation as Keerat appeared to test the bravery of Arjuna, the prince of the Pandavas. When the Pandavas were in exile, Arjuna meditated to seek Lord Shiva’s Pashupati Astra. While he was meditating, the demon Mooka transformed into a boar and attacked Arjuna. At that moment Keerat and Arjuna both killed the boar with their respective arrows.

Following, Keerat and Arjuna started arguing who hit the boar first, and Arjuna challenged Lord Shiva for a duel. However, he eventually realised that only Shiva could be a better archer than him. Lord Shiva was impressed by Arjuna’s courage and offered him his Pashupati Astra.

Suntantarka

Lord Shiva assumed the form of Suntantarka avatar and appeared in the Himalayan King’s court. He danced with his damru (drum) and in the end, asked Goddess Parvati’s hand in marriage from her revered father Himalaya.

Brahmachari

Shiva assumed the form of Brahmachari in order to test Parvati’s devotion. He appeared before her as Brahmachari and hurled abuses at Shiva, but Parvati loved Shiva so much that Brahmachari’s attempts failed. Eventually, Shiva revealed himself and blessed Parvati for her devotion.

Yaksheshwar

Lord Shiva assumed the form of Yaksheshwar in order to humble the Devas who had grown arrogant after drinking Amrit, the divine nectar. Lord Shiva challenged them to cut a blade of divine grass, but even their combined powers failed to destroy it. As a result, they apologised to Lord Shiva and learned that pride was not a quality befitting of Gods. This divine grass was a tool used by Lord Shiva to eliminate their false pride.

Avadhut

Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Avadhut to confront the egoistic nature of Lord Indra. While on a journey to the mountains, Indra failed to recognise Lord Shiva in his beggar form and tried to attack him with the Vajra. However, Shiva overpowered Indra with his strength and crushed his ego.

Shiva Avatars: Conclusion

The avatars of Lord Shiva hold significant importance in Hindu mythology and are worshipped for their specific qualities and attributes. The 19 avatars of Shiva, as mentioned in the Shiva Purana, constitute the most celebrated forms of the deity.

Each avatar of Lord Shiva appeared on earth to maintain the discipline of the universe, to restore balance, protect from evil and re-establish the way of dharma. Besides, each avatar represents a different aspect of Lord Shiva’s power and is believed to have the ability to bless his devotees with spiritual enlightenment, prosperity, and protection. Through the worship of these avatars, devotees seek to connect with the divine and gain a deeper understanding of the nature of reality and the universe.