This title refers to Shiva as the "Lord of Dance."
Nataraja
Shiva consumed this during the churning of the ocean to save the world.
Halahala poison
This Purana is most dedicated to the stories and worship of Lord Shiva.
Shiva Purana
Shiva’s trident is called this in Sanskrit.
Trishula
This demon king was granted a boon by Shiva but was eventually destroyed by Narasimha.
Hiranyakashipu
This name means "the one who drinks poison."
Neelkanth
Shiva destroyed this god of desire with his third eye.
Kamadeva
In the Ramayana, this character deeply worshipped Shiva before building a bridge to Lanka.
Rama
Shiva’s matted hair is often depicted with this sacred river flowing from it.
Ganga
This young devotee of Shiva was killed by his father for refusing to stop chanting Shiva’s name.
Markandeya
"Mahadev" is commonly used for Shiva. What does it literally mean?
Great God
During this cosmic event, Shiva appeared as an infinite pillar of light.
Lingodbhava
The Rudram chant, often recited for Lord Shiva, comes from this ancient Veda.
Yajurveda
This object is always seen on Shiva’s head.
Moon
This elephant-headed god is considered Shiva's son.
Ganesha
This name of Shiva refers to his fierce, destructive form.
Rudra
Shiva married this goddess, an incarnation of Sati.
Parvati
In the Mahabharata, this warrior received the Pashupatastra from Shiva.
Arjuna
The damaru (drum) in Shiva’s hand symbolizes this cosmic function.
Rhythm of creation and destruction
This king was so devoted to Shiva that even his shadow was said to chant the Lord's name.
Harishchandra
This title means "Lord of Beasts" and links him with nature and wild animals.
Pashupati
To prove his supremacy, Shiva subdued this fierce form of Vishnu by simply smiling.
Narasimha
In the Taittiriya Aranyaka, Shiva is described by this powerful Sanskrit hymn.
Sri Rudram/Namakam-Chamakam
Shiva smears his body with this symbolic substance from cremation grounds.
Ash (vibhuti or bhasma)
This 63-devotee group from Tamil Nadu are saints who followed Shiva with intense love and faith.
Nayanars