Some Interesting Incarnations of Aadi Shiva

Some Interesting Incarnations of Aadi Shiva

Shiva Takes an Incarnation as Sharabh

Sutji narrates to the sages

IT was the time when Demon Hirynakashypu was filled with so much false ego that he declared himself GOD. His son Prhlaad tried to open his eyes, but he ordered to kill his own Son.

Shree Hari Vishnu appeared from the solid pillar in fort, in the form of Narsimmah – A creature with “Head of a lion and body of Human and Nails of lion.”

This avatar of Shree Vishnu was very fierce and full of energy and anger. 

Narsimmah killed Harynakashypu easily but his anger did not subdue. The might of this avatar was that much that the three worlds trembled.

Narsimmah started destruction as never seen before. No force could have stopped Him. 

Bhrama ji asked Prhlaad to go and try to cool the anger of Narsimmah.

 Prhlaad went in front of Narsimmah and prayed to cool down. But Narsimmah embraced Prhlaad, and continued the destruction.

Worried GODS and Deities went to Aadi Shiva for help. Shiva understood the importance of stopping Narsimmah.

Aadi Shiva ordered his ganas Bhairav and Veerbhadra to stop Narsimmah.

Bhairav and Veerbhadra appeared in front of Narsimmah and praised him. They requested that Hirynakashypu was dead and requested to calm down. They asked him to remember that HE is Shree Vishnu the protector of the universe.

Narsimmah was not in a condition to listen them and instead calming down, HE pounced upon them.

Suddenly Aadi Shiva appeared between Narsimmah and Bahirav & Veerbhadra. All the GODS and deities and other heavenly bodies were surprised on seeing it. Shiva was in very fierce form. He was looking huge with 1000 arms. He was in a form of a huge cannibal Bird. His was named Sharabha.

    

Shiva Purana describes Sharabha as thousand-armed, lion-faced and with matted hair, wings and eight feet.^[1][9] 

 Sharabha Upanishad portrays Sharabha with two heads, two wings, eight legs of the lion with sharp claws and a long tail.^[10] 

Kalika Purana describes Sharabha as black in color, with four feet downwards and four feet uplifted, with an enormous body. It also has a long face and nose, nails, eight legs, eight tusks, a cluster of manes, and a long tail. It jumps high repeatedly making a loud cry.^[8][11]

The iconography of Sharabeshwaramurti (Shiva as Sharabha) is specifically defined in texts such as Khamikagama and Sritattvanidhi.

In Khamikagama, Sharabha is described in the form of a bird with golden color, with two uplifted wings, two red eyes, four legs in the form of a lion touching the ground, four legs with claws upwards, and with an animal tail. The top part of the body is shown as human but with the face of a lion with an ornamented crown; side tusks are also depicted giving an overall frightening sight. It also shows the Narasimha as a lion-faced human with anjali (hands folded prayer gesture). ^[12]

In the Sritattvanidhi, the depiction prescribed for Sharabeshwaramurti is of thirty arms; arms on the right are to hold thunderbolt, mushti, abhaya, chakra (discus), sakti, staff, goad, sword, Khatvanga, axe, akshamala, a bone, bow, musala, and fire; and the left hands to display noose, varada, mace, arrow, flag, and another type of sword, a snake, a lotus flower, skull-cup, pustaka, plough, and mrudanga with one hand encircling Durga in a hug.

This form is extolled to usher good luck, cure all diseases and destroy all enemies.^[13]

Sharabha injured Narsimmah with HIS wings, and caught HIM in his huge claws. Narsimmah got so frightened that he became unconscious. Sharabha caught him and flew in sky.

Narsimmah gained conscious and his anger had vanished. He left the body of Narsimmah and appeared as Shree Vishnu. In this Vishnu form HE eulogized (Praised highly) Aadi Shiva. This pleased Shiva very much. He also returned in usual form.

Shiva then wore the head of Narsimmah with the garland of Skulls in his neck. The remaining body was abandoned in mountains by Veerbhadra. This avatar of Shiva is also known as 
"Aakash Bhairava" in Nath Tredition

On listening this, sages requested Sutji to narrate other incarnations of Shiva too.

Sutji starts describing –

Aadi Shiva had taken innumerous incarnations, but I will narrate a few important ones. The five incarnations are very important ones and all sages should know about them.

They are

1.     Sadhojat

2.    Namadeva

3.    Tatpurasha

4.    Aghoresh and

5.    Ishan

In every Kalpa, the Brhamaji was born on Lotus (Kamal) from the navel of Shree Vishnu. Initially the whole universe was submerged under water (Which appeared from Shree Vishnu’s body as the result of his great penance) A heavenly voice suggested Brhamaji to meditate. In each Kalpa Shiva incarnated and blessed Brhamaji with the power of creation. 

1.     Sadhojat

During the nineteenth Kalpa, Shweta Lohita Kalpa, Brhamaji was in deep state of meditation.

From him appeared Aadi Shiva in a physique form. He was white in complexion.

On seeing HIM, Brhamaji praised HIM with great devotion and named him Sadhojat. This avatar of Aadi Shiva was named Sadhojat.

Sadhojat was pleased with the praises of Brhamaji and blessed HIM with the power of creation.

Later on four fair complexion disciples manifested from Sadhojat whose names were

Sunand

Nandan

Vishwanandan and

Upanandan

2.    Naamdeva

The twentieth kalpa was named Rakta Kalpa.

While Bhramaji was ignorant as how to start creation, a heavenly voice advised him to meditate. While Brhamaji was in deep meditation state, his body turned red (Rakta color). From HIS body Aadi shiva appeared in physique form. This avatar od Shiva was in red complexion. On seeing HIM, Brhamaji praised him with great devotion and named Him Naamdeva.

 Pleased with the praises, Naamdeva blessed Brhamaji with the power of creation.

Later on four red color disciples manifested from Naamdeva. They were named as

Viraj

Viwah

Vishok and

Vishwabhawan.    

.

3.     Tatpurasha

The twenty-first kalpa was known as “Peetvavasa Kalpa” In this kalpa, Brhamaji was yellow in color. On the state of deep meditation, Aadi Shiva appeared from his body. This avatar of Aadi Shiva wore yellow color clothes, yellow turban and yellow sacred thread, his arms were abnormally long. As Maheshwar opened his mouth, a divine Cow appeared from it. The cow had four head and possessed 32 qualities. The cow was named Gayatri. Brhamaji recognized HIM as Shiva and praised him with great devotion and chanted Shiva Mantras and Shiva Gyatri. After chanting, Shiva was very pleased and many entities appeared from HIS body, each yellow in color. Brhamaji named HIM Tatpurasha. Then Tatpurasha and all the entities blessed Brhamaji with the power of creation and art of Yoga.  

{praying this form of Shiva, a person is liberated from all sins}

4.    Aghoresh   

Peet kalpa was followed by Pradhritta kalpa. Black was the predominant color of this kalpa. Initially, the whole earth was submerged in the water and Lord Brahma desirous of commencing his creations meditated. As a result, a divine Shiva appeared from his body. The complexion of this avatar was black in color. Not only had that he put on black apparels and a black crown on his head. A black sacred thread was hanging across his shoulder.

Brhamaji immediately recognized Shiva and praised him with full devotion. Four more entities appeared from Aghoreshewar which were too in black complexion and resemble Aghoresh in every respect.

They had names

Krishna

Krishnashikha

Krishnamukha and

Krishnakanthdhari

Aghor Shiva along with four entities blessed Brhamaji with the power of creation

{A person who worships Lord Aghoresh and has deep devotion in him becomes liberated from gravest of sins like Brahmhatya (sin acquired due to killing a Brahmin)}

5.    Ishan

With the beginning of the new kalpa, Universe was submerged in water; Brhamaji desirous of creating was engrossed in deep meditation. A divine Cow appeared in front of Brhamaji. Actually the divine cow was nobody other than Vishwaroopa Sarswati. Brhamaji failed to recognize the cow and continued with meditation. Aadi Shiva appeared befor Brhamaji. Brhamaji immediately recognized HIM and praised HIM with full devotion. Pleased with devotion and prayers, Shiva told that I will be called Ishan in this kalpa. This Kalpa will be known as Vishwaroopa Kalpa. This Kalpa originated from left side of my body and is the thirty third Kalps in line. The divine cow has also originated from me and is Godess Gauri – source of all creation.

Then four entities appeared from the divine Cow named

Jati

Mundi

Shikhandi and

Ardhmunda

All of them were divinely luminous like Ishana. They all blessed Brhamaji with the power of creation.

It is interested to note that the viraat roop (Vioshwaroop) shown by Shree Hari to Arjuna in Mahabharata, didn’t had Shiva in HIM. But Vishwaroopa shown by Sada Shiva to his Ganas during battle with Andhak had Shree Vishnu in it.

Let us try to understand this. Viraat roop of Hari says that “Among the Rudras, Iam Shankar”

The Eleven Rudras (Son of Surbhi and Avatars of Shiva) with their consorts are as under

Rudra	Consort
Mahadeva	Dhee Devi
Shiva	Dhritti Devi
Maha Rudra	Ushna (Rasala) Devi
Shankara	Uma Devi
Neelalohita	Neeyut Devi
Eshana Rudra	Sarpi Devi
Vijaya Rudra	Ela Devi
Bheema Rudra	Ambika Devi
Devadeya	Ieravati Devi
Bhavodbhava	Sudha Devi
Adityatmaka Srirudra	Deeksha Devi

As seen here that 4^th Rudra is named Shankar and his Consort is named as Uma, it is this Rudra Shree Krishna mentioned. “AMONG THE RUDRAS I AM SHANKAR”. Aadi Shiva was not the part of this Viraat Swaroop.

At the time of Pralaya, “time when material universe is burned and destroyed”, the eleven Rudras appear from Aadi Shiva to assist are -

KAPALI	PINGALA	BHIMA
VIRUPAKSHA	VILOHITA	SHASHTA
AHIRBIDHANYA	SHAMBHU	CHANDA
AJAPADA		BHAVA

Eight Idols of SHIVA

Sutji continued the narration and explained the sages about the eight idols of SHIVA. He said, eight famous idols of Aadi Shiva are as -

SHARAVA

BHAVA

RUDRA

UGRA

BHEEMA

PASHUPATI

ISHAN and

MAHADEVA

The eight idols of Shiva represent eight natural elements which were included in the process of creation. These are –

EARTH

WATER

FIRE

AIR

SKY

Supreme Soul (Brahma)

SUN and

MOON

This symbolizes that Shiva controls whole universe.

END of TRIPURASURA

END of TRIPURASURA

Once in brahmloka, Rishi Narada requested Father Brhama to narrate the tale of Tripurasur.

Brhama ji said –

After the death of Tarkasur from the hands of Kartikaya, Son of Shiva, 

three son of Tarkasur performed great penance.

 

The eldest one was named Tarkasha, Middle one was Vidyunmali and the youngest was Kamlaksh.

I, Brhma, became pleased and asked them to tell their wish.

In turn they asked for three invincible forts.

The description of the forts would be –

That they will float in space in a specified orbit,

Would be filled with every kind of wealth and splendors,

Would be filled with every kind of enjoyments and worldly pleasures.

Nobody could enter it without permission.

Forts would be protected from every danger, weapon and army. Three forts be like three planets having own gravity and atmosphere.

On their request, I permitted three forts, Gold fort for Tarkaksh, silver for Vidyunmali and iron for Kamlaksh.

 Maya Demon constructed the forts in sky.

(Maya demon was a tribe of demons who acted as architects for all demons, rakshas and negative forces. They themselves were very cruel and strong but expert architects as Vishwakarmas were for GODs. They had created many structures for demons and rakshas and had made many weapons and other devices for their progress. Maya calendar is famous till now) 

The three forts constructed by Mayas were invincible. One was in Bhurvaloka, second on Bhuloka and last on Patal loka. The three forts were collectively named as Tripurasura.  

Maya demons themselves took the responsibility for protecting the forts by the help of their secret Maya knowledge.

I told them that only SHIVA can destroy these forts as he the supreme power and master of all arts.

The three son of Tarkasura started praying Aadi Shiva to please him, followed all rules, and became good king for their subjects. Their people loved them for their ability to rule and felt protected in their forts. They followed Dharma according to Vedas. Heavenly bodies also started praising them.

But they started tormenting GODS and other deities, insulting them and proving better than them. 

Now troubled deities and GODs went to Brhma ji to narrate HIM about their miseries. Brhamaji advised them to see SHIVA.

The great Yogi SHIVA expressed HIS inability to help GODS and Deities as the son of Tarkasura were performing all the duties properly. They were very virtuous and they had not done anything wrong. They were religious and performing their religious duties. Their people were happy and were on the path of justice. But also SHIVA advised GODS to see Shree Vishnu and assured that Shree Hari Vishnu can help them all.

At last all the Deities and GODS went to Shree Vishnu and narrated HIM their trouble. Shree Vishnu promised to help them, created millions of armed spirits, and ordered them to attack three demon brothers.

The might of tripurasura was that much that the spirits were of no match to them. All spirits flee from the battle and returned to Shree Vishnu. At this Shree Vishnu got quite worried. He sent back all the deities and started thinking.

Shree-Hari Vishnu understood that the tripurasura could not be destroyed till they remain religious and virtuous. Till they perform their duties.

Shree-Hari Vishnu then created an illusionary entity from his body.

This entity was bald (No hair on Head), wore dirty clothes and a bag hang hanging on his shoulder.   

The entity bowed to Shree Vishnu and asked about the purpose of his existence and his name.

Shree Vishnu told him that his name would be “Arihan”.

Shree Vishnu instructed him to preach knowledge that is against rituals explained in Vedas. To create a scripture which stress upon the importance of action and present. To preach the importance of getting enjoyments as the life is one. To stress that heaven and hell does not exist anywhere else but on earth itself.  

To create the scripture which stress the importance of action and specifically instructed him to keep the language of that scripture as simple and degenerated as possible.     

Shree Vishnu instructed Arihan to preach this knowledge to Tripurasuras so that they become irreligious.

Shree Vishnu ordered Arihan to make his base in a desert with his disciples.

“You should propagate your philosophy with the arrival of Kaliyuga”, said Shree-Hari Vishnu.

After giving other instructions, Shree Vishnu disappeared.

Arihan started his work. He created four other illusionary entities and instructed them to act as his followers. He named them as, “Rishi”, “Yati”, “Keerya” and “Upadhyay”.  

Soon they entered the three forts, started preaching. In a matter of no time they made innumerous disciples and many of them started preaching like them. 

Many self proclaimed teachers/ philosophers/ Sadhus mushroomed, each having his set of disciples. 

They started preaching and diverting their listeners from religion. 

Soon the three Demon Kings also became their followers.

The result was that the three Demon kings and their subjects become irreligious and got involved in all type of activities. 

The merits decreased and sin increased as years passed. Time came when everyone in Tripurasura became irreligious and their sin increased from the level. 

All were indulged in killing, and all sinful activities. They started consider Arihan and his team as GODS or messenger of GOD and followed them blindly. 

GODS and Deities were pleased on the downfall of Demon brothers and they all went to Aadi SHIVA. 

They requested SHIVA to kill them and end the Sin completely.

As they were talking to SHIVA, Mother Parvati came with Ganesha and Kartikaya and request SHIVA to accompany her. 

SHIVA walked with Mother Parvati and GODS followed them requesting to kill Tripurasura. They kept on requesting but SHIVA was listening to Mother Parvati. Deities and GODS got angry with mother Parvati as she was acting as an obstacle in fulfilling their objective. They expressed their anger.

On this, one of the SHIVA gana, Kumbhodhar, got annoyed and angrily attacked the GODS and DEITIES. All of them got injured and fled from there. They went to Shree Vishnu and asked for help. Shree Vishnu advised them to chant “OM NAMAHA SHIVAY” for one crore times.

The DEITIES followed the instruction and chanted Panchakshari (Five Letter) Mantra one crore times.

Aadi Shiva was pleased and appeared before them. He assured the deities and GODS that their wish will be fulfilled.

SHIVA waited for another thousand years so the Demon kings get filled with sin and their killing would be justified. Soon the fatal day arrived.

Aadi SHIVA summoned HIS Pashupat Astra.(Pashupat Weapon), 

 [As per Brhmaji’s boon no weapon, soul, being  created under the creation of Brhma could have destroyed them ] 

Pashupat weapon destroyed the three forts with one stroke. Destruction started everywhere. Everything started to vanish. It created havoc among the demons.

 On seeing vast destruction and death everywhere, Tripurasuras trembled with fear and prayed SHIVA to have mercy on them. SHIVA assured them that after their death, they would be reborn and will be SHIVA GANA.   

As HIS words completed, Tripurasura was completely destroyed, killing everyone there.

As Maya Demons were outside, they escaped death. Maya demons got very terrified and started praying SHIVA. Pleased by their prayers, SHIVA spared them.

All GODS and DEITIES returned to their respective abodes after duly praying SHIVA.

It was then; Arihan’s work was also completed. He took permission from Shree VISHNU and proceeded towards Desert on Mrityuloka (EARTH). He made his abode in Desert and started wait for Kaliyuga to start his preachings again.