Shiva Purana

Incarnations of Shiva:

Group 1: Incarnations:

1. Sadyojata Incarnation (Earth) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 1)
2. Vamadeva Incarnation (Water) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 1)
3. Tatpurusha Incarnation (Wind) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 1)
4. Aghora Incarnation (Intellect) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 1)
5. Ishana Incarnation (Individual Soul) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 1)

Group 2: Presiding Deities:

1. Sharva Incarnation (Earth) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 2)
2. Bhava Incarnation (Water) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 2)
3. Rudra Incarnation (Fire) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 2)
4. Ugra Incarnation (Wind) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 2)
5. Bhima Incarnation (Sky) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 2)
6. Pashupati Incarnation (Soul) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 2)
7. Ishana Incarnation (Sun) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 2)
8. Mahadeva Incarnation (Moon) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 2)

Group 3: Varahakalpa - 7th Manvantara - End of Dwapara Yuga:

1. Shweta Muni Incarnation (1st Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 4) - Chagala peak of Himalayas
2. Sutara Incarnation (2nd Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 4)
3. Damana Incarnation (3rd Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 4)
4. Suhotra Incarnation (4th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 4)
5. Kanka Incarnation (5th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 4)
6. Lokakshi Incarnation (6th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 4)
7. Jaigishavya Incarnation (7th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 4) - Cave in Kashi
8. Dadhivahana Incarnation (8th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 4)
9. Rishabha Incarnation (9th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 4)
10. (Unnamed) Incarnation (10th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Bhrigutunga peak of Himalayas
11. Kali Incarnation (11th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Gangadwara
12. (Unnamed) Incarnation (12th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5)
13. Bali Incarnation (13th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Balakhilya ashrama on Gandhamadana mountain
14. Gautama Incarnation (14th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5)
15. Vedashira Incarnation (15th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Himalayas & river Saraswati
16. Gokarna Incarnation (16th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Gokarna forest
17. Guhavasi Incarnation (17th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Himalayas
18. Sikhandi Incarnation (18th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Sikhandi mountain
19. Jattimali Incarnation (19th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Himalayas
20. Attahasa Incarnation (20th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5)
21. Daruka Incarnation (21th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Darukavana
22. Languli Bhima Incarnation (22th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Varanasi
23. Shweta Incarnation (23th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Kalanjara mountain
24. Shula Incarnation (24th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Naimisharanya kshetra
25. Dandi Incarnation (25th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5)
26. Sahishnu Incarnation (26th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Bhadravata
27. Somasharma Incarnation (27th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Prabhasa Tirtha
28. Lakuli Incarnation (28th Dwapara) (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 5) - Cave of Mount Meru

Group 4: Incarnations

1. Ardhanareeswara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 3)
2. Nandeeswara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 6)
3. Bhairava Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 8)
4. Virabhadra Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 10)
5. Sarabha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 12)
6. Grihapati Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 13)
7. Yaksheshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 16)

Group 5: Dasha Mahavidya Bhairavas:

1. Mahakala Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)
2. Tara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)
3. Bhuvanesha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)
4. Srividyesha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)
5. Bhairava Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)
6. Chinnamastaka Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)
7. Dhumavan Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)
8. Bagalamukha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)
9. Matanga Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)
10. Kamala Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 17)

Group 6: 11 Rudras:

1. Kapali Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
2. Pingala Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
3. Bhima Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
4. Virupaksha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
5. Vilohita Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
6. Shasta Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
7. Ajapada Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
8. Ahirbudniya Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
9. Shambhu Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
10. Canda Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)
11. Bhava Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 18)

Group 7: Incarnations:

1. Durvasa Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 19)
2. Hanuman Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 20)
3. Mahesha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 21)
4. Vrisheshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 22)
5. Pippalada Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 24)
6. Vaishyanatha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 26)
7. Dwijeshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 27)
8. Yatinatha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 28)
9. Krishna-Darshana Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 29)
10. Avaduteshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 30)
11. Bhikshuvarya Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 31)
12. Sureshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 32)
13. Brahmachari Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 33)
14. Sunartaka-Nata Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 34)
15. Sadhu-Dwija Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 35)
16. Ashwatthama Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 36)
17. Kirata Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 37)

Group 8: Jyotirlinga Incarnations:

1. Somanatha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
2. Mallikarjuna Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
3. Mahakaleshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
4. Omkareshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
5. Kedarnatha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
6. Bhimashankara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
7. Vishwanatha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
8. Tryambakeshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
9. Vaidyanatha Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
10. Nageshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
11. Rameshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)
12. Grishneshwara Incarnation (Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita - 42)

Jyotirlingas of Shiva:

Refer to Jyotirlinga Sloka

12 most sacred Pilgrimages of Lord Shiva mentioned in Shiva Purana where he manifested in response to ardent prayers of the devotees.
(Note: PP stands for Paadal Petra Sthalam)

1. Somanatha Jyotirlinga

- सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथम् (Saurashtre Somanatham)
- Where Lord Shiva relieved Chandra deva from disease due to the curse of Daksha
- Somanatha Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 14) - Prabhasa Kshetra
- Prabhasa Kshetra - Somnath Temple (Gir Somnath district, Gujarat)

2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

- श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम् (Shrishaile Mallikarjunam)
- Where Shiva and Parvati came to see their son Kumara and abided as Jyoti
- Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 15) - Krauncha mountain
- Srisailam - Mallikarjuna Bhramaramba Temple (Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh)

3. Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga

- उज्जयिन्यां महाकालम् (Ujjayinyam Mahakalam)
- Where Lord Shiva protected devotee Veda Priya and brahmanas from demon Dushana
- Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 16 to 17) - Avanti
- Ujjain - Mahakaleshwar Temple (Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh)

4. Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga

- ॐकारं अमलेश्वरम् (Omkaram Amaleshvaram)
- Where Lord Shiva granted boon to Vindhya mountain
- Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 18) - Omkareshwar
- Omkareshwar - Omkareshwar Temple (Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh)

5. Kedarnatha Jyotirlinga {PP-11.2}

- हिमालये केदारम् (Himalaye Kedaram)
- Where Lord Shiva granted boon to devotees Nara and Narayana and abided in that place for their worship
- Kedarnatha Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 19) - Badaryashrama
- Uttarakhand - Kedarnath Temple (Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand)

6. Bhimashankara Jyotirlinga

- डाकिन्यां भीमाशंकरम् (Dakinyam Bhimashankaram)
- Where Lord Shiva protected devotee Sudakshina from the atrocities of demon Bhima
- Bhimashankara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 20 to 21) - Kamarupa
- Bhimashankar - Bhimashankar Temple (Pune district, Maharashtra)

7. Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga

- वाराणस्यां विश्वेशम् (Varanasyam Vishvesham)
- Where Lord Shiva established Kashi in the mortal world by placing it from his trident
- Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 22 to 23) - Kashi
- Kashi - Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)

8. Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga

- त्र्यंबकं गौतमीतटे (Tryambakam Gautami-Tatte)
- Where Lord Shiva relieved sage Gautama from the false accusation of brahmanas and released river Ganga (Gautami Ganga or Godavari) from his matted hairs
- Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 24 to 27) - Brahmagiri mountain
- Trimbakeshwar - Tryambakeshwar Temple (Nashik district, Maharashtra)

9. Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga

- परल्यां वैद्यनाथम् (Paralyam Vaidyanatham)
- Where the Shiva Linga given by Lord Shiva to Ravana got fixed while carrying to Lanka
- Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 28)
- 9a. Deoghar - Baidyanath Dham (Deogarh district, Jharkhand)
- 9b. Parli - Vaijnath Temple (Beed district, Maharashtra)
- 9c. Kangra - Baijnath Temple (Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh)

10. Nageshwara Jyotirlinga

- नागेशं दारुकावने (Nagesham Darukavane)
- Where Lord Shiva protected devotee Supriya from the atrocities of demon Daruka
- Nageshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 29 to 30) - Darukavana
- 10a. Dwarka - Nageshwar Temple (Devbhoomi Dwaraka district, Gujarat)
- 10b. Hingoli - Aundha Nagnath Temple (Hingoli district, Maharashtra)
- 10c. Almora - Jageshwar Temple (Almora district, Uttarakhand)

11. Rameshwara Jyotirlinga {PP-6.8}

- सेतुबंधे रामेशम् (Setubandhe Ramesham)
- Where Lord Shiva granted the boon to Sri Rama for victory against Ravana
- Rameshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 31) - Southern sea shore
- Rameshwaram - Ramanatheshwarar Temple (Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu)

12. Grishneshwara Jyotirlinga (Ghushmeshwara Jyotirlinga)

- घुश्मेशं शिवालये (Ghushmesham Shivalaye)
- Where Lord Shiva revived the son of devotee Ghushma who was killed by his step-mother
- Grishneshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 32 to 33) - Shivalaya
- Aurangabad - Grishneshwar Temple (Aurangabad district, Maharashtra)

Incarnation of Devi Sati:

1. Incarnation of Devi Sati (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Sati Khanda - 14)
2. Penance of Devi Sati (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Sati Khanda - 15)
3. Sacrifice of Daksha (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Sati Khanda - 27 to 43)

Incarnation of Devi Parvati:

1. Incarnation of Devi Parvati (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Parvati Khanda - 1 to 6) - Himalayas
2. Penance of Devi Parvati (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Parvati Khanda - 22) - Shringi Tirtha or Gauri Shikhara & river Ganga

Penance on Shiva:

1. Penance of Sandhya (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Sati Khanda - 4) - Chandrabhaga mountain, river Chandrabhaga & lake Brihallohita
2. Penance of Devi Sati (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Sati Khanda - 15)
3. Penance of Devi Parvati (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Parvati Khanda - 22) - Shringi Tirtha or Gauri Shikhara & river Ganga

Battles of Lord Shiva:

1. Vanquishing the Tripurasuras (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Yuddha Khanda - 1 to 10)
2. Slaying of Jalandhara (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Yuddha Khanda - 13 to 24)
3. Slaying of Samkhachuda (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Yuddha Khanda - 27 to 40)
4. Vanquishing the pride of Andhakasura (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Yuddha Khanda - 42 to 49)
5. Vanquishing the pride of Banasura (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Yuddha Khanda - 51 to 56)
6. Slaying of Gajasura (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Yuddha Khanda - 57)
7. Slaying of Dundubhi Nirhrada (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Yuddha Khanda - 57)

Others:

1. Bestowing of Mritasanjivani Vidya to Shukracharya (Shiva Purana - Yuddha Khanda - 50)
2. Glory of Bilva (Shiva Purana - Vidyeshwara Samhita - 22)
3. Glory of Rudraksha (Shiva Purana - Vidyeshwara Samhita - 25)
4. Flowers for Pashupata Vrata (Shiva Purana - Vayaviya Samhita - Purva Bhaga - 33)
5. Flowers for adoring Shiva (Shiva Purana - Vayaviya Samhita - Uttara Bhaga - 25)
6. Flowers for worshipping Shiva (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Sristi Khanda - 11.56 to 57)
7. Flowers for Nanda Vrata (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Sati Khanda - 15.19, 15.20, 15.22 and 15.23)
8. Flowers for Akshaya Tritiya (Shiva Purana - Uma Samhita - 51)
9. Flowers for Tritiya (Shiva Purana - Uma Samhita - 51)