The Fierce and Battling Avtars of Shiv

 

This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below:

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

 

According to Shiv Puran, Shiv took nineteen avtars, these were Veerbhadra, Bhairav, Ashwatthama, Sharbh, Durvasa, Hanuman, Vrishabh, Krishandarshan, Avdhoot, Sureshwar, Kirat, Sunatnartak, Brahmchari, Yaksh, Piplad, Nandi, Grihpati, Yatinath and Bhikshuvrya.

Ten avtars of Shiv are mentioned in Tantrashashtra. They are: Mahakaal, Tara, Bhunesh, Shodash, Bhairav, Chhinmastak Girija, Dhumravaan, Baglamukhi, Maatang and Kamal. Shiv has eleven Rudra avtars as Kapali, Pingal, Bheem, Virupaksh, Vilohit, Shasta, Ajpaad, Apirbudhya, Shambhu, Chand and Bhav.

Following six avtars were the fiercest of all who yielded weapons and chose to battle against adversaries.

1. Ashwatthama—According to Mahabharat, Ashwatthama, son of Dronacharya, was an ansh of Shiv in the forms of Kaal (the time immortal), Krodh (the anger), Yam (the death) and Rudra (the destruction). During Samudramanthan, Halahal, the fuming poison appeared which Shiv swallowed but held it in his throat. However, the poison started scorching his throat. Then Vishpurush (demi-god of poison) sprang out of him with folded hands, Shiv gave him a boon that although he could not kill anyone yet in Dwapar Yug during Mahabharat war, he will be able to kill Kshatriyas. This Vishpurush was born as Ashwatthama to Dron and Kripi.

Ashwatthama is one of the eleven Rudras and Sapt-chiranjivi or the immortal ones. Dron did many years of severe penance to please Shiv in order to obtain a son possessing the same valiance as Shiv. Just before Mahabharat war, Bhishm himself declared that it will be virtually impossible for anyone to kill or defeat Ashwatthama, once he becomes angry, as he is the part incarnate of Rudra Shiv. No one can handle his wrath and fury. The tragic death of Dronacharya made Ashwatthama extremely angry and these events led to the complete annihilation of Pandav lineage.

2. Bhairav—Also known as Kaal Bhairav, is the fierce manifestation of Shiv associated with annihilation. Bhairav beheaded one of Brahma's five heads and since then Brahma has only four heads. Cutting off Brahma's fifth head made him guilty of the crime of killing a Brahman (Brahm-hatya), and as a result, he had to carry around the disembodied skull for twelve years and roam as a mendicant, until absolved of the sin. Bhairav is often depicted as carrying the severed head of Brahma.

Shiv is said to be guarding every Shaktipeeth in the form of the frightful Bhairav.

3. Hanuman—He was born to Anjali and Kesari as the avtar of Shiv himself. Hanuman was born a little prior to Shri Ram and assisted him in his fight against Ravan. Again it was Hanuman who brought down the ego of Bhim.

4. Kiraat—Once Arjun was performing a tremendous penance to please Shiv, then Duryodhan sent a Daitya named Mook to kill Arjun in the disguise of a boar. Arjun was engrossed in his meditation, when suddenly his concentration got disturbed by a loud noise. He opened his eyes and saw the boar being chased by a Kiraat. In fact it was none other than Shiv who had appeared in the guise of Kiraat. Both Arjun and Kiraat struck the boar with their respective arrows at the same time. A disagreement ensued between Arjun and Kiraat over who killed the boar. Arjun challenged Kiraat for a dual. Kiraat was very much impressed by his valour. He revealed his true identity. Arjun was very ashamed that he fought with Shiv but Shiv consoled him and gave his weapon Pashupat to Arjun.

5.  Nandi—Nandi is a bull mount of Shiv, a divine attendant, chief of the Bhoot Ganas and gatekeeper of the Shiv temples. He is often depicted with four hands; two hands holding battle-axe and antelope, and the other two joined in homage. In this human form he is known as Nandikeshwar. For calling him monkey at Kailash, Nandikeshwar cursed Ravan that his kingdom would be destroyed by monkeys.

Nandi was the son of the rishi Shilad. He was the commander of the ganas of Shiv. In a battle he defeated Andhak and forced him to flee. In the fight of Shiv against Daitya king Tripura Nandi uttered tremendous roars. It is also said that, earlier in this fight, Shiv mounted on this bull for a while.

According to Brihaddharm Puran Nandi killed Airavat, the elephant  of Indra. Its head was used for implanting on the Ganesh’s body.

6. Veerbhadra—Sati was the youngest daughter of Daksha, she married Shiv much to the displeasure of her father. Once Daksha arranged for a great Yagya and invited all the gods except Shiv. Yet Sati went to her father’s place uninvited. Daksha insulted her and Shiv in front of other guests. Unable to bear further insults she jumped into the sacrificial fire.

When Shiv came to know about this, in deep sorrow and anger, he pulled a lock of his hair and thrashed on the ground. As a result Veerabhadra and Bhadra Kali were born. Veerbhadra’s tall body reached the high heavens; he was dark as the clouds with three burning eyes, and fiery hair. He wore a garland of skulls and carried terrible weapons. To provide him the power Bhadra Kali, a wrathful incarnation of Devi, assisted him.

On the direction of Shiv, Virabhadra appeared in the midst of Daksha's assembly like a storm and broke the sacrificial vessels, polluted the offerings, insulted the priests and finally cut off Daksha's head, trampled on Indra, broke the staff of Yam, scattered the gods on every side; then he returned to Kailash.

In the battles with Daitya Jalandhar and Tripur, Veerbhadra stood with Shiv and fought fiercely. Once a Daitya called Panchmedhra put into his mouth all the gods, hermits, Bali and Sugreev. Veerbhadra killed him and rescued all.

Above mentioned six avtars of Shiv, like ten avtars of Vishnu,  covered Chaturyug, from Krit Yug till the end of Kali Yug. Ashwatthama, son of Dronacharya, was in Dwapar Yug and it is said that he is Chiranjivi and his spirit still wanders aimlessly due to curse of Shri Krishan on him. Kaal Bhairav severed the head of Brahma prior to Krit Yug. Hanuman was born in Krit Yug and made his appearance before Arjun and Bhim in Dwapar Yug. Nandi is ever present in all the Four Eras. Kiraat met Arjun and gave him Pashupatastra. Veerbhadra made his appearance in Daksh Yagya, said to be sometime in Treta Yug.