The tiger pitched itself on the ground below the tree, demonstrating no intention to leave.

See a medical professional for personalized consultation. However, Parvati says firmly, “I would marry none other than Shiva.”. Both of them could not understand … Lord Brahma transformed into a goose and flew upward to find the apex of the pillar while Lord Vishnu transformed into a boar and dug the ground to find the root. These stories about Lord Shiva not only fascinate kids but also help them learn about a great character. The gods partner with the demons to combine their strengths for churning the ocean. This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional health services. For this, Menaka performs a three-day long penance to appease goddess Gauridevi, the first wife of Lord Shiva.

A daughter is born to Parvati, whom she names as Ashoka Sundari, wherein Ashoka means ‘without sorrow’ and Sundari means ‘beautiful’. Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadev, is one of the three deities of the ‘Great Trinity’ or ‘The Hindu Triad’, as per the Hindu mythology.

However, they could find neither and came back to the place from where they started only to witness the emergence of Lord Shiva from the pillar. Brahma, being the Creator, declared himself to be more revered, while Vishnu, the Preserver, pronounced that it was he commanded more respect. One day when Shiva was meditating, his consort, Parvati thought of playing a game with him.

After meandering down through Shiva's thick matted locks, the holy river Ganges appeared on earth.

As the debate was on, a mysterious pillar appeared in front of them. One day, all gods approach Lord Vishnu pleading with him to save them from the attack of the rakshasas. Both of them could not understand what the pillar was and wondered if there exists any other supreme power than them.

As the debate was on, a mysterious pillar appeared in front of them. The poison turns Shiva’s throat blue and hence he is also called Neelkanth, wherein neel means ‘blue’ and kanth means ‘throat’. Terrified with the spread of the poison, all the gods approach Lord Vishnu again. Share them with us in the comments section below.

So, she wishes for a daughter from the Kalpavriksha and the wish gets granted. He cuts one of his heads to make a veena (an Indian musical instrument) and uses the tendons as strings to play music.

She came from behind and closed his eyes with both her hands. The Most Popular Stories of Shiva, the Destroyer.

The three gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are responsible for the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the universe respectively.

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As she got scared by her father’s act, she hid behind a sack of salt. Especially in Shavais—one of the four main branches of Hinduism, Shiva is regarded as the Supreme Being responsible for creation, destruction, and everything in between. The gods seek help from Lord Vishnu, who suggest them to churn the ocean to retrieve nectar that can help them become immortal and bring back the lost fortunes.

Both Brahma and Vishnu were awestruck by its rapidly increasing size, and, forgetting their quarrel, they decided to determine its dimensions. Impressed by Vishnu’s devotion, Shiva tells him to ask for a boon. Lord Shiva is one of three principle Hindu deities, along with Brahma and Vishnu. The goddess promises Menaka to take birth as their daughter and jumps into the fire to be reincarnated as Parvati. He tells her not to marry a person who is poor and devoid of a materialistic life. Immediately, he turns into ash. One day, sage Narada visits the kingdom of Himavatha to see the baby and forecasts that she will marry Lord Shiva. The sweat, combined with the powers of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, transformed into their child named Andhaka.

This tale is used to explain why Shiva is often represented iconically in the form of a Shiva Linga carving in Hindu devotions. It is one of the best stories of Lord Shiva. By using Learn Religions, you accept our, The Real Meaning of the Shiva's Linga Symbol, An Introduction to Lord Vishnu, Hinduism's Peace-Loving Deity, The City of Varanasi: India's Religious Capital, M.A., English Literature, University of North Bengal. Vishnu turns into a beautiful woman named Mohini and appears before Bhasmasura. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were taking a stroll in the beautiful garden Nandanavana when they come across the wish-fulfilling tree Kalpavriksha. Shiva is also referred to as Swayambhu (meaning ‘self-existing’) because he was not born from the womb of a woman. Shiva is considered very powerful yet soft-hearted, who melts like ice to the prayers of His devotees. To this day, bilva leaves are used by modern believers in ritual devotions to Shiva. Immediately, Shiva created the third eye on his forehead with his divine powers to emit fire. Mohini tells him that she would marry him if he can dance like her and defeat her. Listening to Parvati’s prayers, Lord Shiva turns into a young fisherman and comes to the fishermen’s rescue. Pleased with his devotion, Brahma granted him a wish; the king then requested that the Lord send the river goddess Ganges down to earth from heaven so that she could flow over his ancestors' ashes and wash their curse away and allow them to go to heaven. He starts troubling the fishermen. He immediately plucks out his eye and offers it at the feet of the Shiva. Though he fails in his attempt, this act angers Shiva and he traps Ravana below the mount Kailash.

Under the tree was a Shiva Linga, and the tree blessedly turned out to be a bilva tree.

The ruler of Himalaya, Himavatha, and his wife Menaka were ardent followers of Lord Shiva and wished for a daughter who could marry the deity. The story of their marriage is one of the most famous stories of Shiva. One day, Brahma and Vishnu were arguing about each other’s predominance and importance in the universe.

Parvati often used to feel lonely when Shiva would go out of the Kailash mountain to fight the evil forces. According to Gavin Flood, "Shiva is a god of ambiguity and paradox," whose attributes include opposing themes. Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." Unknowingly, the man had pleased the deity by casting bilva leaves down upon the ground. Ravana is a great devotee of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the right eye of Shiva represents the sun and the left eye represents the moon. It is no surprise, then, that legends and mythological tales surround Lord Shiva abound.

One day, Brahma and Vishnu were arguing about each other’s predominance and importance in the universe. Do you know how Lord Shiva got the name ‘Neelkanth’?

He takes the form of a big shark and goes into the sea where the fishermen go fishing. Hearing this, Nandi comes up with a plan to reunite Shiva and Parvati. This leaves Shiva heart-broken and he goes into a long penance to mourn the loss of his beloved wife. According to another legend, Brahma and Vishnu, the two other deities of the holy Trinity, once had an argument over who was more supreme.

In one variation of the story, an angry Ganga tried to drown Shiva during the descent, but the Lord powerfully held her motionless until she relented.

Then, Ravana starts singing songs in praise of Shiva. Shiva replies that he can’t do it because as per her birth, she is destined to marry an angler.

There is an interesting story behind the birth of Lord Shiva. For other Hindu sects, Shiva's reputation is as the Destroyer of Evil, existing on equal footing with Brahma and Vishnu.

Accordingly, King Bhagrirath prayed to Shiva, who agreed that Ganga could descend while entwined in the locks of his hair. Either way, this will be a great way to start teaching children about mythology. Shiva, Parvati & Ganesha Shiva’s wife was Parvati, often incarnated as Kali and Durga. Shiva decides to play a trick on Vishnu, and secretly removes one lotus from the bunch that Vishnu had arranged.

There is an interesting story behind the third eye of Lord Shiva. Especially in Shavais—one of the four main branches of Hinduism, Shiva is regarded as the Supreme Being responsible for creation, destruction, and everything in between. The clever Bhasmasura asks, “Lord, grant me the boon that whatever I touch with my right hand will turn into ashes immediately.” Shiva grants the boon not realizing the evil intentions of the rakshasa. Appeased by his devotion, Shiva appears before him and asks him to make a wish. Lord Shiva is one of three principle Hindu deities, along with Brahma and Vishnu. For other Hindu sects, Shiva's reputation is as the Destroyer of Evil, existing on equal footing with Brahma and Vishnu. For modern Hindus, this legend is re-enacted by a ceremonial ritual known as bathing the Shiva Lingam.

This way, Shiva remarries Parvati. Nandi happily lets his master catch him. Thus he gets back his wife in the form of Parvati. But one day, Parvati loses her concentration.

They decided to unravel the mystery of the mighty pillar. He names her Parvati and brings her up. Bhasmasura agrees and follows every step of Mohini with élan.

But one day he tries to pull down the abode of Lord Shiva, the mount Kailash. At sunrise, the hunter looked down to find the tiger gone, and in its place stood Lord Shiva.

Please read our Disclaimer. When he reaches Kailash, he finds Lord Shiva in a deep trance. All rights reserved. Planets, Moons, Suns, Stars, Planetary System, and entire Galaxies are just a small happening- … He has written several books about Hinduism for children and young adults.