Lord Shiva the Destroyer plays a central role in the creation and destruction cycle of Hinduism. He takes on many forms, and can seem morally ambiguous.
Lord Shiva the great destroyer can appear at times to be good, and at other times evil. Highly complex with many sides, he is worshipped for his association with positive change. But he has a dark side, and is the patron of thieves and villains.
At times Shiva demonstrates his good qualities in the myths of Hinduism. In one myth, he saves all creation by drinking poison. The origins of the Maha Shivratri festival, where Shiva devotees consume cannabis can be found in this myth (read more about it here).
Shiva’s primary function, which is to destroy the world at the end of each Yuga cycle, can be seen as both good and evil. Destroying the world means killing every single person, as well as animal and plant. That certainly is not good. However, it clears the way for a brand-new creation, and because of this, Hindu’s regard the destruction as a positive thing. Especially because it signifies the end of Kula Yuga, and a return to the golden age of humanity. You can read more about this change by clicking here.
Shiva also has his dark side. This is not surprising when you consider he was created in opposition to Brahma the Creator, in order to destroy what Brahma created. Shiva is the god of thieves and villains, as well as the leader of ghosts and evil spirits.
Shiva is both good and evil. Being a deity who is beyond our world, he is more vast than can be nicely organized into the duality of good and evil. He appears at times to be good, and at others, depending on your perspective, he could be considered evil. The many sides of Shiva are expressed through his many names, as well as through his nineteen avatars.
The 19 Avatars of Shiva
Shiva has many avatars and has incarnated several times throughout history for different purposes. Below are the avatars of Shiva:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Piplaad | Born the son of Sage Dadhichi, who was killed. Piplaad grows up to curse the killer, Shani Dev, who falls from the galaxy, before forgiving him. |
| Nandi | Born to Sage Shiva after the Sage displays incredible devotion, and asked for an immortal child. Nandi was also the gate-keeper to Shiva's heavenly adobe. |
| Veerabhadra | Shiva incarnated as Veerabhadra after the death of his wife, and it is one of Shiva's fiercest forms, seeking revenge and beheading the killer of his wife. |
| Bhairava | Bhairava's role was to punish those who are greedy, lustful, or arrogant. |
| Ashwatthama | Ashwatthama is a warrior, born as the son of Guru Dronacharya, who pleased Shiva through great devotion. |
| Sharabha | Part lion and part bird, Sharabha calmed Lord Naramsimha after the Lord killed a demon. |
| Grihapati | Born on the Narmada banks to Sage Vishwanar and his wife, who encouraged her husband to perform great penance so that they could receive the Lord Shiva as their son. |
| Durvasa | Durvasa was famous for his short temper and demands for respect. He was born to Sage Atri and his wife Anasuya. |
| Rishabha | When Shiva incarnated as Rishabha, he took on the form of a bull in order to kill the sons Vishnu while in the underworld, who were cruel and monstrous. |
| Yatinath | There was a couple known for their great hospitality, and when the man lost his life protecting a guest, rather than mourning his wife took pride in the act. Yatinath blessed them saying they would their next lifetime would be fortuitous. |
| Hanuman | Born the son of Anjana and Kesari, Hanuman was blessed by the God of wind, Vayu. Also known as the great monkey god. |
| Krishna Darshan | When King Nabhag left home to go for his education, his brothers divided his wealth up amongst themselves. Lord Shiva appeared to the King to teach him higher spiritual attainment. |
| Bhikshuvarya | As Bhikshuvarya, Shiva incarnated as a begger, who rescued the child of a king. After the child lost his parents, Shiva arranged for him to be raised by a poor woman. |
| Sureshwar | Sureshwar wore a disguise in order to test the devotion of a young boy name Upamanyu. The boy passes the test and Lord Shiva revealed himself. |
| Keerat | Kereet tested the bravery of Arjuna. As Arjuna was meditating , he was attacked by a demon in the form of boar. Kereet aided Arjuna and together they killed the boar with arrows. |
| Sunatnartak | He appeared in the court of the Hymalayan King, where he expresses his desire to marry Parvati. |
| Brahmachari | Appearing in front of Parvati and verbally attacking her to test her devotion, Parvati proves herself as being the one who loves Shiva the most. |
| Yaksheshwar | After the Devas consumed Amrit, the divine nectar, Shiva appeared as Yaksheshwar to teach them a lesson in pride. He asked them to cut a blade of grass, which they cannot muster the power to achieve. |
| Avadhut | Shiva incarnated as Avadhut in order to confront and crush the arrogance of a lord named Indra. |
The 108 Names of Shiva
Shiva has many sides to who he is, and is at times associated with creation, representing goodness and benevolence, while at other times he is the patron of thieves and villains. His 108 different names reflect the many sides of who he is.
| Number | Name | Meaning | Sanskrit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Om Shivaya Namah | Always Pure | ॐ शिवाय नमः। | ||
| 2 | Om Maheshwaraya Namah | Lord Of Gods | ॐ महेश्वराय नमः। | ||
| 3 | Om Shambhave Namah | One Who Bestows Prosperity | ॐ शंभवे नमः। | ||
| 4 | Om Pinakine Namah | One Who Has A Bow In His Hand | ॐ पिनाकिने नमः। | ||
| 5 | Om Shashishekharaya Namah | The God Who Wears The Crescent Moon In His Hair | ॐ शशिशेखराय नमः। | ||
| 6 | Om Vamadevaya Namah | The God Who Is Pleasing And Auspicious In Every Way | ॐ वामदेवाय नमः। | ||
| 7 | Om Virupakshaya Namah | Lord Shiva With Oblique Eyes | ॐ विरूपाक्षाय नमः। | ||
| 8 | Om Kapardine Namah | The Lord With Thickly Matted Hair | ॐ कपर्दिने नमः। | ||
| 9 | Om Nilalohitaya Namah | The One With Red And Blue Colour | ॐ नीललोहिताय नमः। | ||
| 10 | Om Shankaraya Namah | One Who Gives Happiness And prosperity | ॐ शंकराय नमः। | ||
| 11 | Om Shulapanaye Namah | The One Who Carries A Trident | ॐ शूलपाणये नमः। | ||
| 12 | Om Khatvangine Namah | The God Who Carries A Knurled Club (Khatvanga) | ॐ खट्वांगिने नमः। | ||
| 13 | Om Vishnuvallabhaya Namah | The One Who Is Dear To Lord Vishnu | ॐ विष्णुवल्लभाय नमः। | ||
| 14 | Om Shipivishtaya Namah | The Lord Whose Form Emits Great Rays Of Light | ॐ शिपिविष्टाय नमः। | ||
| 15 | Om Ambikanathaya Namah | Consort of Ambika (Parvati) | ॐ अंबिकानाथाय नमः। | ||
| 16 | Om Shrikanthaya Namah | Of Glorious Neck | ॐ श्रीकण्ठाय नमः। | ||
| 17 | Om Bhaktavatsalaya Namah | The One Who Is Favourably Inclined Towards His Devotees | ॐ भक्तवत्सलाय नमः। | ||
| 18 | Om Bhavaya Namah | The God Who Is Existence Itself | ॐ भवाय नमः। | ||
| 19 | Om Sharvaya Namah | Remover Of All Troubles | ॐ शर्वाय नमः। | ||
| 20 | Om Trilokeshaya Namah | The Lord Of All The Three Worlds | ॐ त्रिलोकेशाय नमः। | ||
| 21 | Om Shitikanthaya Namah | The Lord Who Has White Neck | ॐ शितिकण्ठाय नमः। | ||
| 22 | Om ShivaPriyaya Namah | Beloved Of Parvati | ॐ शिवा प्रियाय नमः। | ||
| 23 | Om Ugraya Namah | The One Who Has Extremely Fierce Nature | ॐ उग्राय नमः। | ||
| 24 | Om Kapaline Namah | One Who Wears A Necklace Of Skulls | ॐ कपालिने नमः। | ||
| 25 | Om Kamaraye Namah | Enemy of Kamadeva | ॐ कामारये नमः। | ||
| 26 | Om Andhakasurasudanaya Namah | The Lord Who Killed The Asura Andhaka | ॐ अन्धकासुरसूदनाय नमः। | ||
| 27 | Om Gangadharaya Namah | The God Who Holds The Ganges River In His Hair | ॐ गंगाधराय नमः। | ||
| 28 | Om Lalatakshaya Namah | One Who Has An Eye In The Forehead | ॐ ललाटाक्षाय नमः। | ||
| 29 | Om Kalakalaya Namah | He Is The Death Of Death | ॐ कालकालाय नमः। | ||
| 30 | Om Kripanidhaye Namah | The God Who Is The Treasure Of Compassion | ॐ कृपानिधये नमः। | ||
| 31 | Om Bhimaya Namah | The One Who Has Fearful Form | ॐ भीमाय नमः। | ||
| 32 | Om Parashuhastaya Namah | The God Who Holds Axe In Hands | ॐ परशुहस्ताय नमः। | ||
| 33 | Om Mrigapanaye Namah | The God Who Possess Deer In Hands | ॐ मृगपाणये नमः। | ||
| 34 | Om Jatadharaya Namah | The God Who Keeps Tress (Jata) | ॐ जटाधराय नमः। | ||
| 35 | Om Kailashavasine Namah | Native Of Kailasha | ॐ कैलाशवासिने नमः। | ||
| 36 | Om Kawachine Namah | The God Who Possess Armour | ॐ कवचिने नमः। | ||
| 37 | Om Kathoraya Namah | The God Who Has A Strong Body | ॐ कठोराय नमः। | ||
| 38 | Om Tripurantakaya Namah | The God Who Killed Tripurasura | ॐ त्रिपुरान्तकाय नमः। | ||
| 39 | Om Vrishankaya Namah | The God Who Has A Flag With A Symbol Of Bull | ॐ वृषांकाय नमः। | ||
| 40 | Om Vrishabharudhaya Namah | The One Who Rides Bull | ॐ वृषभारूढाय नमः। | ||
| 41 | Om Bhasmodhulitavigrahaya Namah | The One Who Applies Ashes All Over The Body | ॐ भस्मोद्धूलितविग्रहाय नमः। | ||
| 42 | Om Samapriyaya Namah | The One Who Loves With Equality | ॐ सामप्रियाय नमः। | ||
| 43 | Om Swaramayaya Namah | The God Who Lives In All Seven Notes | ॐ स्वरमयाय नमः। | ||
| 44 | Om Trayimurtaye Namah | The One Who Possess Veda Form | ॐ त्रयीमूर्तये नमः। | ||
| 45 | Om Anishwaraya Namah | The One Who Does Not Have Any Lord | ॐ अनीश्वराय नमः। | ||
| 46 | Om Sarvajnaya Namah | The One Who Knows Everything | ॐ सर्वज्ञाय नमः। | ||
| 47 | Om Paramatmane Namah | Everyone's Own Soul | ॐ परमात्मने नमः। | ||
| 48 | Om Somasuryagnilochanaya Namah | The One Who Has Eyes In The Form Of Sun, Moon And Fire | ॐ सोमसूर्याग्निलोचनाय नमः। | ||
| 49 | Om Havishe Namah | He Who Is Wealthy In The Form Of Ahuti | ॐ हविषे नमः। | ||
| 50 | Om Yajnamayaya Namah | The Architect Of All Sacrificial Rites | ॐ यज्ञमयाय नमः। | ||
| 51 | Om Somaya Namah | The One Who Includes The Form Of Uma | ॐ सोमाय नमः। | ||
| 52 | Om Panchavaktraya Namah | God Of The Five Activities | ॐ पंचवक्त्राय नमः। | ||
| 53 | Om Sadashivaya Namah | The One Who Is Eternally Auspicious | ॐ सदाशिवाय नमः। | ||
| 54 | Om Vishveshwaraya Namah | Lord Of The Universe | ॐ विश्वेश्वराय नमः। | ||
| 55 | Om Virabhadraya Namah | Who Is Violent , Yet Peaceful | ॐ वीरभद्राय नमः। | ||
| 56 | Om Gananathaya Namah | God Of The Ganas | ॐ गणनाथाय नमः। | ||
| 57 | Om Prajapataye Namah | The One Who Is The Creator Of Dynasty | ॐ प्रजापतये नमः। | ||
| 58 | Om Hiranyaretase Namah | The One Who Emanates Golden Souls | ॐ हिरण्यरेतसे नमः। | ||
| 59 | Om Durdharshaya Namah | The One who Is Unconquerable | ॐ दुर्धर्षाय नमः। | ||
| 60 | Om Girishaya Namah | Lord Of Mountains | ॐ गिरीशाय नमः। | ||
| 61 | Om Girishaya Namah | The God Who Sleeps On Kailash Mountain | ॐ गिरिशाय नमः। | ||
| 62 | Om Anaghaya Namah | He Who Is Pure | ॐ अनघाय नमः। | ||
| 63 | Om Bujangabhushanaya Namah | Lord Adorned With Golden Snakes | ॐ भुजंगभूषणाय नमः। | ||
| 64 | Om Bhargaya Namah | Lord Who Ends All Sins | ॐ भर्गाय नमः। | ||
| 65 | Om Giridhanvane Namah | God Whose Weapon Is A Mountain | ॐ गिरिधन्वने नमः। | ||
| 66 | Om Giripriyaya Namah | Lord Who Is Fond Of Mountains | ॐ गिरिप्रियाय नमः। | ||
| 67 | Om krittivasase Namah | God Who Wears Clothes Of Elephant Skin | ॐ कृत्तिवाससे नमः। | ||
| 68 | Om Purarataye Namah | Destroyer OF Town Or "Pur" Named Enemy | ॐ पुरारातये नमः। | ||
| 69 | Om Bhagawate Namah | God Of Prosperity | ॐ भगवते नमः। | ||
| 70 | Om Pramathadhipaya Namah | God Who Is Served By Goblins | ॐ प्रमथाधिपाय नमः। | ||
| 71 | Om Mrityunjayaya Namah | Victor Of Death | ॐ मृत्युंजयाय नमः। | ||
| 72 | Om Sukshmatanave Namah | God Who Has A Subtle Body | ॐ सूक्ष्मतनवे नमः। | ||
| 73 | Om Jagadvyapine Namah | God Who Lives In The World | ॐ जगद्व्यापिने नमः। | ||
| 74 | Om Jagadguruve Namah | Guru Of All The Worlds | ॐ जगद्गुरुवे नमः। | ||
| 75 | Om Vyomakeshaya Namah | Whose Hair Spreads In The Sky | ॐ व्योमकेशाय नमः। | ||
| 76 | Om Mahasenajanakaya Namah | Father Of Kartikya | ॐ महासेनजनकाय नमः। | ||
| 77 | Om Charuvikramaya Namah | The Guardian Of Wandering Pilgrims | ॐ चारुविक्रमाय नमः। | ||
| 78 | Om Rudraya Namah | The One Who Gets Sad By The Pain Of Devotees | ॐ रुद्राय नमः। | ||
| 79 | Om Bhutapataye Namah | Lord Of Panchabhoota Or Bhootapreta | ॐ भूतपतये नमः। | ||
| 80 | Om Sthanave Namah | Firm And Immovable Deity | ॐ स्थाणवे नमः। | ||
| 81 | Om Ahirbudhnyaya Namah | The One Who Possess Kundalini | ॐ अहिर्बुध्न्याय नमः। | ||
| 82 | Om Digambaraya Namah | The God Whose Robes Is The Cosmos | ॐ दिगंबराय नमः। | ||
| 83 | Om Ashtamurtaye Namah | Lord Who Has Eight Forms | ॐ अष्टमूर्तये नमः। | ||
| 84 | Om Anekatmane Namah | The God Who Possess Many Forms | ॐ अनेकात्मने नमः। | ||
| 85 | Om Satvikaya Namah | Lord Of Boundless Energy | ॐ सात्विकाय नमः। | ||
| 86 | Om Shuddhavigrahaya Namah | Lord Of Pure Soul | ॐ शुद्धविग्रहाय नमः। | ||
| 87 | Om Shashvataya Namah | Lord Who Is Eternal And Endless | ॐ शाश्वताय नमः। | ||
| 88 | Om Khandaparashave Namah | Lord Who Wears Broken Axe | ॐ खण्डपरशवे नमः। | ||
| 89 | Om Ajaya Namah | The One Who Is Boundless | ॐ अजाय नमः। | ||
| 90 | Om Pashavimochakaya Namah | Lord Who Releases All Fetters | ॐ पाशविमोचकाय नमः। | ||
| 91 | Om Mridaya Namah | The Lord Who Shows Only Mercy | ॐ मृडाय नमः। | ||
| 92 | Om Pashupataye Namah | Lord Of Animals | ॐ पशुपतये नमः। | ||
| 93 | Om Devaya Namah | Lord Of Devas | ॐ देवाय नमः। | ||
| 94 | Om Mahadevaya Namah | Greatest Of The Gods | ॐ महादेवाय नमः। | ||
| 95 | Om Avyayaya Namah | The One Who Never Subject To Change | ॐ अव्ययाय नमः। | ||
| 96 | Om Haraye Namah | Same As Lord Vishnu | ॐ हरये नमः। | ||
| 97 | Om Bhaganetrabhide Namah | The Lord Who Damaged Bhaga's Eye | ॐ भगनेत्रभिदे नमः। | ||
| 98 | Om Avyaktaya Namah | Shiva Who Is Unseen | ॐ अव्यक्ताय नमः। | ||
| 99 | Om Dakshadhwaraharaya Namah | Destroyer Of Daksha's Conceited Sacrifice (Yagya) | ॐ दक्षाध्वरहराय नमः। | ||
| 100 | Om Haraya Namah | The Lord Who Dissolves All Bondage And Sins | ॐ हराय नमः। | ||
| 101 | Om Pushadantabhide Namah | One Who Punished Pushan | ॐ पूषदन्तभिदे नमः। | ||
| 102 | Om Avyagraya Namah | Lord Who Is Steady And Unwavering | ॐ अव्यग्राय नमः। | ||
| 103 | Om Sahasrakshaya Namah | One Who Has Limitless Forms | ॐ सहस्राक्षाय नमः। | ||
| 104 | Om Sahasrapade Namah | The Lord Who Is Standing And Walking Everywhere | ॐ सहस्रपदे नमः। | ||
| 105 | Om Apavargapradaya Namah | Lord Who Gives And Takes All Things | ॐ अपवर्गप्रदाय नमः। | ||
| 106 | Om Anantaya Namah | The One Who Is unending | ॐ अनन्ताय नमः। | ||
| 107 | Om Tarakaya Namah | The Lord Who Is Great Liberator Of Mankind | ॐ तारकाय नमः। | ||
| 108 | Om Parameshwaraya Namah | The Great God | ॐ परमेश्वराय नमः। |
Recommended Reading
If you want to continue exploring this subject more deeply, you can see which books I recommend by clicking here.