Green Message
Home > Bharatavarsha > Scriptures > Shiva Purana

Shiva Purana

Incarnations of Shiva:

Shiva

नन्दीश्वर उवाच
असङ्ख्याता हि कल्पेषु विभो सर्वेश्वरस्य वै ।
अवतारास्तथापीह वच्म्यहं तान्यथामति ॥४॥
Nandiishvara Uvaaca
Asangkhyaataa Hi Kalpessu Vibho Sarveshvarasya Vai |
Avataaraas-Tatha-Api-Iha Vacmyaham Taan-Yathaa-Mati ||4||

Nandishvara said:
1: In the different kalpas Sarveshvara has innumerable incarnations,
2: Inspite of that I will speak about (some of) them as per my wisdom.

(Shiva Purana - Shata Rudra Samhita 1.4)

Group 1: Incarnations:

Shiva
  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:

Shiva
  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:

Shiva
  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

Shiva
  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: Dasa Mahavidya Bhairavas:

Shiva
  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:

Shiva
  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:

Shiva
  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:

Shiva
  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:

Shiva
  1. Somanatha Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 14) - Prabhasa Kshetra
    • Where Lord Shiva relieved the curse of Chandra Deva (given by Daksha)
    • Somnath (Gir Somnath district, Gujarat)
  2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 15) - Krauncha mountain
    • Where Shiva and Parvati came to see their son Kumara and abided as Jyoti
    • Mallikarjun (Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh)
  3. Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 16) - Avanti
    • Where Lord Shiva protected devotee Veda Priya and brahmanas from demon Dushana
    • Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh)
  4. Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 18) - Omkareshwar
    • Where Lord Shiva granted boon to Vindhya mountain
    • Omkareshwar (Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh)
  5. Kedarnatha Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 19) - Badaryashrama
    • Where Lord Shiva granted boon to devotees Nara and Narayana and abided in that place for their worship
    • Kedarnath (Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand)
  6. Bhimashankara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 20) - Kamarupa
    • Where Lord Shiva protected devotee Sudakshina from the atrocities of demon Bhima
    • Bhimashankar (Pune district, Maharashtra)
  7. Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 22) - Kashi
    • Where Lord Shiva established Kashi in the mortal world by placing it from his trident
    • Vishwanath (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
  8. Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 24) - Brahmagiri mountain
    • Where Lord Shiva relieved sage Gautama from the false accusation of brahmanas and released river Ganga (Gautami Ganga or Godavari) from his matted hairs
    • Tryambakeshwar (Nashik district, Maharashtra)
  9. Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 28)
    • Where the Shiva Linga given by Lord Shiva to Ravana got fixed while carrying to Lanka
    • Baidyanath Dham (Deogarh district, Jharkhand)
    • Parli Vaijnath (Beed district, Maharashtra)
    • Baijnath (Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh)
  10. Nageshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 29) - Darukavana
    • Where Lord Shiva protected devotee Supriya from the atrocities of demon Daruka
    • Nageshwar (Devbhoomi Dwaraka district, Gujarat)
    • Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli district, Maharashtra)
    • Jageshwar (Almora district, Uttarakhand)
  11. Rameshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 31) - Southern sea shore
    • Where Lord Shiva granted the boon to Sri Rama for victory against Ravana
    • Rameshwaram (Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu)
  12. Grishneshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita 32) - Shivalaya
    • Where Lord Shiva revived the son of devotee Ghushma who was killed by his step-mother
    • Grishneshwar (Aurangabad district, Maharashtra)

Incarnation of Devi Sati:

Devi
  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)

Incarnation of Devi Parvati:

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

Penance on Shiva:

Devi
  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

Others:

Shiva
  1. Glory of Bilva (Shiva Purana - Vidyeshwara Samhita 22)
  2. Glory of Rudraksha (Shiva Purana - Vidyeshwara Samhita 25)

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

1. Stotras
2. Scriptures
3. Pilgrimages
4. Festivals
5. Saints: Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
6. Sadhana
7. Sanskrit
8. Nature

Meditation on Earth - The Vedic way: >>



Om, May there be Peace in Heaven,
May there be Peace in the Sky,
May there be Peace in the Earth,

(Shanti Mantra of Upanishad)


Preserve Nature,
And Nature will preserve Us,
Simplify Life,
And help Nature thrive,
Plant Trees,
And make our planet Green.

Next >>

Green Message: The Evergreen Messages of Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature

Last updated on May-2019

Site Map    Search    Contact    Updates