About all the avatar's of lord Shiva

Shiva Avatars  
The sages requested Sutji to describe about the different incarnations (Avtar) of Lord Shiva. Sutji told them that, although Lord Shiva took many incarnations (Avtar) but five of his incarnations (Avtar) were very important- Sadhojat, Namadeva, Tatpurush, Aghoresh and Ishan.

1) SADHOJAT 
Lord Shiva took his first incarnation (Avtar) from the physique of Lord Brahma, who was engrossed in his deep state of meditation, during the nineteenth Kalpa named Shweta Lohit. Lord Brahma gave him the name SADHOJAT and eulogized him. Later on, from the physique of Sadhojat four of his disciple manifested, whose names were Sunand, Nandan, Vishwanandan and Upanandan. All the four disciples were of fair complexion. Lord Shiva blessed Brahma and empowered him to do creation.

2) NAAMDEVA During the twentieth Kalpa named 'Rakta' the complexion of lord Brahma turned red, while he was engrossed in his meditative state. From his body manifested an entity who also was of red complexion. Lord Brahma named him Namadeva considering him to be the incarnation (Avtar) of lord Shiva and eulogized him. Later on four sons were born to Namadeva, whose names were Viraj, Viwah, Vishok and Vishwabhawan. All of them were of red complexion just like their father Namadeva. Naamdeva Shiva alongwith his virtuous progenies blessed lord Brahma with the power of creation.

3) TATPURUSH
The twenty-first Kalpa on the earth was known as 'Peetavasa'. It was named so because of the apparel of lord Brahma which were of yellow colours. Lord Brahma's prayer resulted into the manifestation of a effulgent entity. Considering this entity as Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma started chanting the mantras of Shiva Gayatri. After the chantings of the mantras, numerous entities manifested who had put on apparels of yellow colour on their body. This way the third incarnation (Avtar) of Shiva popularly known as Tatpurush manifested.

4) AGHORESH
After the Peetavasa Kalp came the Shiva Kalpa. A black complexioned manifested while Lord Brahma was engrossed in his deep meditative state. Lord Brahma considering this entity as Aghor Shiva started eulogizing him. Lord Brahma's eulogization resulted into the manifestation of four more entities who had the same black complexion as that of 'Aghor Shiva'. Their names were Krishna, Krishnashikha, Krishnamukha and Krishnakanthdhari. Aghor Shiva along with those four entities blessed lord Brahma with the power of creation.

5) ISHAN
During the Kalpa named Vishwaroop, manifestations of Saraswati and Ishan Shiva took place. Lord Brahma eulogized Ishan Shiva after which four divine entities named Jati, Mundi, Shikhandi and Ardhamundi manifested from Ishan Shiva. All of them blessed lord Brahma with the power of creation.

EIGHT IDOLS OF SHIVA
After describing about the five chief incarnations of lord Shiva, Sutji explained about the eight famous idols of lord Shiva- Sharva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, Bheema, Pashupati, Ishan and Mahadeva.

TEN GREAT INCARNATION OF SHIVA (DASH AVATAR) and TEN INCARNATION OF SHAKTI (DASH MAHAVIDYA)

Describing about the ten incarnations and their corresponding power (Shakti), Sutji said-
The first incarnation of lord Shiva was as 'Mahakal' and his Shakti was called 'Mahakali'.
Lord Shiva took his second incarnation as 'Tar' and his Shakti was called 'Tara'.
The third incarnation of Lord Shiva was as 'Bhuvaneshwar' and his Shakti was called 'Bhuvaneshwari'.
Lord Shiva took his fourth incarnation as 'Shodash' who was also known as 'Srividdyesh' and his Shakti was called 'Shodashi' or 'Shri'.

Lord Shiva took his fifth incarnation as 'Bhairav' and his Shakti was called 'Bhairavi'.
The sixth incarnation of Lord Shiva is famous as 'Chhinamastak' and his Shakti by the name of 'Chhinamasta'.
Lord Shiva took his seventh incarnation as 'Dhoomvan' and his Shakti was known as 'Dhoomvati'.
The eighth incarnation was as 'Baglamukh' and his Shakti as 'Baglamukhi'.

The nineth incarnation of lord Shiva became famous as 'Matang' and his Shakti as 'Matangi'.
Lord Shiva took his tenth incarnation as 'Kamal' and his Shakti as 'Kamala'.
If these ten incarnation of Shiva are worshipped along with his ten Mahavidyas then a man attains salvation.

THE ORIGIN OF ELEVEN RUDRAS
Lord Shiva, later on took birth as eleven Rudras from the womb of Kashyap wife Surabhi. The name of these eleven rudras were as follows-
1) Kapali   2) Pingal   3) Bheem   4) Virupaksha   5) Vilohit   6) Shastra   7) Ajapaad   8) Ahirbudhnya   9) Shambhu   10) Chand and  11) Bhav.

These eleven Rudras fought battles with the demons and killed them. The deities were relieved after the death of the demons. They worshipped these eleven rudras to express their gratitude and indebtedness.

Apart from above incarnation, Lord Shiva has taken some other incarnation also:
1. Ardhnaarishwar Avtaar   2. Nandi Avtaar   3. Sharabh Avtaar   4. Grihpati Avtaar   5. Neel Kanth & Yaksheshwar Avtaar   6. Durvasha Avtaar   7. Mahesh Avtaar   8. Hanuman Avtaar   9. Brishabh Avtaar   10. Piplaad Avtaar   11. Vaishyanath Avtaar   12. Dwijeshwar Avtaar 13. Yatinath Avtaar   14. Krishna Darshan Avtaar   15. Awdhuteshwar Avtaar   16. Bhichhuwarya Avtaar   17. Sureshwar Avtaar   18. Bramhchoti Avtaar   19. Sunatnartak Avtaar   20. Sadhu Avtaar   21. Vibhuashwathama Avtaar   22. Kiraat Avtaar

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The Legend of Somvati Amavasya 2013

Somvati Amavasya 2013

Somvati Amavasya 2013 will come on 11th March, 8th July and 2nd December. There are total 12 Amavasya (New Moon) in this year. Amavasya is no moon day of the Hindu Lunar calendar. It is the darkest day of the month and many people observe a fast on this day. Somvati Amavasya is particularly considered very auspicious to perform Pitra Puja.

The significance of Somvati Amavasya was narrated to the eldest Pandava by Bhishma Pitamaha in the epic Mahabharata. It is believed that we can bring peace to our ancestor’s soul by taking a Holy Dip on this day in the sacred River Ganga. Also, the Holy Dip wears away all our sorrows and helps us progress and prosper.

The Peepal tree is considered as a sacred tree as per the Indian traditions and on the auspicious day of Somvati Amavasya women tie a sacred thread around its trunk for 108 times. Parikrama around the tree is performed for 108 times and it is offered with milk, sandal paste, flowers and vermillion. Devotees sit under the Peepal tree and chant Mantras to please the Almighty.

Somvati Amavasya: The Legend

While celebrating Somvati Amavasya in 2013, it is good idea to know about the legend associated with it. As per the story of Somvati Amavasya, once upon a time there lived a money lender who had seven sons and one daughter. He married all his sons but could not find a suitable match for his daughter.

A monk visited their house regularly and blessed the money lender’s daughters-in-law but never blessed the daughter. The daughter told her mother about this and she confronted the monk with this question. The monk did reply and left quietly. This really worried the mother and she called a Pandit.

The Pandit told her that her daughter was destined to become a widow. The girl’s mother asked the Pandit for a solution to the problem. He told them that there was a washerwoman who lived on the island of Singhal. If that woman agrees to apply vermilion (Sindoor) on the forehead of the girl, her fate will change. The Pandit also told them that observing fast of Somvati Amavasya will also be instrumental in reversing her fate.

The mother sent her daughter and her youngest son to that island. On their way to the island they came across sea shore and wondered how to cross it. Sitting under a tree they saw a vulture’s nest. A male and female vulture lived there with their babies. One day when both vultures had gone out of their nest to fetch some food, a snake entered their nest and attacked the babies. All this was being witnessed by the girl who was sitting there. She immediately jumped to help the vulture babies and saved them from the attack.

When the vultures returned they were really pleased to know what had just happened. As a token of their gratitude they helped the girl to reach the washer woman’s house. After reaching her destination she started living with the washer woman.

After a few months the woman was really pleased with the girl and applied vermilion (Sindoor) on her forehead. While returning back to her house she also observed Somvati Amavasya. This reversed her fate and then she lived a happy married life with her husband.

Spiritual Importance of Somvati Amavasya

The darkness of Somvati Amavasya transcends into a beautiful morning which gives us hope that all our sorrows will go away. It also signifies that only after absolute darkness comes a light, which means that absolute despair gives birth to extreme happiness and bliss. Therefore we should not be afraid of the dark and be ready to face all the troubles that come our way.

Freedom from Pitra Dosha

It is believed that on this day married women fast praying for the long life of their husbands. They take Holy Dip in the Ganga and pray to the Almighty. Lord Shiva is worshipped on this day by all the married women of Hindu religion. This day is also very auspicious for performing Pitra Tarpan (offering to the ancestors) as it provides peace to their souls. People suffering from Pitra Dosh should also observe this fast as it frees them from it.

It is believed that observing this helps us get rid of all the sorrows and problems. We wish all of you a very happy Somvati Amavasya 2013!

Bhagwan Surya Devta