Lord Shiva 108 Names: Do you know the secret of 108 names of Lord Shiva? Know the main names of Mahadev, the spiritual significance of each name, 5 famous stories behind names like Neelkanth, Gangadhar, Mrityunjay and the religious benefits of chanting the name.
Mahadev 108 Names: Lord Shiva is called Mahadev, the god of gods. Along with being the destroyer of creation, he is also a symbol of compassion, penance, renunciation and welfare. Many names of Lord Shiva are mentioned in Shiva Purana and other religious texts. Every name introduces some special quality, form or activity of his. Therefore devotees chant different names of Shiva. Let us know what are the main names of Lord Shiva, what is the importance of 108 names of Shiva and what are the 5 famous stories related to his glory.
How many main names of Lord Shiva are there?
Thousands of names of Lord Shiva have been mentioned in religious texts. Among these, 108 names are the most famous and revered. Apart from this, his 1008 names are also mentioned in Shiva Sahasranama. Chanting of 108 names is considered auspicious especially on Monday, Mahashivratri, Sawan and Pradosh Vrat.
108 names of Lord Shiva
Mahadev, Shambhu, Shankar, Shiva, Rudra, Neelkanth, Mahesh, Ishaan, Pashupati, Trilochan, Trimbak, Gangadhar, Chandrashekhar, Umapati, Ardhanarishwar, Bholenath, Vishwanath, Kailashpati, Mrityunjay, Ashutosh, Har, Girish, Girijapati, Digambara, Jatadhar, Kapali, Bhairav, Virupaksh, Nageshwar, Sadashiv, Yogeshwar, Yogishwar, Tripurantak, Bhootnath, Adiyogi, Nataraja, Shoolpani, Pinaki, Krittivas, Dhurjati, Kaleshwar, Sarveshwar, Mahakal, Kalbhairav, Bhootpati, Devdev, Jagdish, Jagatpati, Achaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Someshwar, Rameshwar, Kedarnath, Amarnath, Vaidyanath, Mallikarjun, Bhimshankar, Trimbakeshwar, Ghrishneshwar, Nagnath, Mahakaleshwar, Omkarnath, Vishweshwar, Chidambareshwar, Harihar, Shivshankar, Ishwar, Parmeshwar, Anadi, Anant, Akshay, Omniscient, All-soul, Sarvamangal, Karunamurti, Kripalu, Sharva, Bhava, Sharvaripati, Trishuldhari, Vrishabhavahan, Bhasmang, Panchavaktra, Trinetra, Mahayogi, Dhyaeneshwar, Tapasvi, Aghor, Shanteshwar, The presiding deity of Kalyansundar, Devadhidev, Mahatapasvi, Kripanidhi, Vishwaroop, Loknath, Mukteshwar, Anandeshwar, Shivpriya, Umanath, Himalayapati, Azar, Amar, Anshwar, Paramatma, Jyotirmay, Shivay and Om Namah Shivay.
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5 most popular stories related to the glory of Lord Shiva
1. Story of churning of ocean and formation of Neelkanth
When poison came out from the churning of the ocean, the whole world was in trouble. To protect the gods and demons, Lord Shiva kept poison in his throat. Because of this his throat turned blue and he was called Neelkanth.
2. Wearing Ganga in one’s hair
Pleased with the penance of King Bhagiratha, Mother Ganga agreed to come to earth. But due to their sharp edge there was a danger of the earth being destroyed. Then Lord Shiva controlled Ganga by holding it in his locks. That is why he is called Gangadhar.
3. Wearing the moon on the head
Due to the curse of Daksh Prajapati, the brightness of Chandradev started decreasing. He worshiped Lord Shiva. Shiva gave him a place on his head. Since then Lord Shiva was called Chandrashekhar.
4. Killing of Tripurasura
Three demon brothers named Tripurasura built three cities and started atrocities. On the prayer of the gods, Lord Shiva destroyed all three cities with a single arrow. Because of this leela he was called Tripuraantaka.
5. Defense of Markandeya
Rishi Markandeya was only 16 years old. He worshiped Lord Shiva rigorously. When Yamraj came to take him, Lord Shiva, appearing from Shivalinga, stopped Yamraj and blessed Markandeya with long life. For this reason Shiva is called Mrityunjaya.
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Religious significance of chanting the name of Lord Shiva
It is believed that chanting the names of Lord Shiva brings peace, patience and positivity in the mind. Reciting 108 names on the day of Sawan, Mahashivratri and Monday brings special blessings of God.