Translated By P. R. Ramachander
Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer of the Universe as per the Hindu Mythology. Shiva is one of the most popular gods of the Hindus. Lord Shiva is a complex god like goddess Kali, being destroyer and restorer at the same time. Shiva is also known as Bhole Shankar, the innocent god, who gets appeased easily. Shiv Shambhu is also recognized as an ascetic, as he resides on Mount Kailash in meditation. God Shiv is worshipped usually in his phallic (Lingam) form. Special Worship of Shiva can be seen during the month of Saawan (July-August) of Hinduism. Lord Shiva is known by many different names. This list contains 108 names of Lord Shiva with their meanings:
Names – Meanings
Aashutosh – One Who Fulfills Wishes at once
Aja – Unborn
Akshayaguna – God with Numberless Attributes
Anagha – Without Any error
Anantadrishti – of Infinite Vision
Augadh – One Who Revels All the Time
Avyayaprabhu – Everlasting Lord
Bhairav – Lord of Terror
Bhalanetra – One Who Has an Eye in the Forehead
Bholenath – Kind Hearted Lord
Bhooteshwara – Lord of Ghosts and Evil Beings
Bhudeva – Lord of the Earth
Bhutapala – Protector of the Ghosts
Chandrapal – Master Of The Moon
Chandraprakash – One Who Has Moon As A Crest
Dayalu – Compassionate
Devadeva – Lord Of The Lords
Dhanadeepa – Lord Of Affluence
Dhyanadeep – Icon Of Meditation And Concentration
Dhyutidhara – Lord Of Radiance
Digambara – Ascetic Without Any Clothes
Durjaneeya – Difficult To Be Known
Durjaya – Unvanquished
Gangadhara – God Of River Ganga
Girijapati – Husband Of Girija (Parvati)
Gunagrahin – Acceptor Of Gunas
Gurudeva – Master Of All
Hara – Remover Of Sins
Jagadisha – Master Of The Universe
Jaradhishamana – Redeemer From Afflictions
Jatin – One Who Has Knotted Hair
Kailas – One Who Bestows Peace
Kailashadhipati – Lord Of Mount Kailash
Kailashnath – Master Of Mount Kailash
Kamalakshana – Lotus-Eyed Lord
Kantha – Ever-Radiant
Kapalin – One Who Wears A Necklace Of Skulls
Khatvangin – One Who Has The Missile (Khatvangin) In His Hand
Kundalin – One Who Wears Earrings
Lalataksha – One Who Has An Eye In The Forehead
Lingadhyaksha – Lord Of The Lingas
Lingaraja – Lord Of The Lingas
Lokankara – Maker Of The Three Worlds
Lokapal – One Who Takes Care Of The World
Mahabuddhi – Exceptionally Intelligent
Mahadeva – Greatest God
Mahakala – Lord Of All Times
Mahamaya – Of Great Illusions
Mahamrityunjaya – Great Victor Of Death
Mahanidhi – Great Storehouse
Mahashaktimaya – One Who Has Infinite Powers
Mahayogi – Supreme of All Gods
Mahesha – The Almighty
Maheshwara – Lord of the Lords
Nagabhushana – One Who Has Snakes as Ornaments
Nataraja – King of the Art of Dancing
Nilakantha – Blue Necked Lord
Nityasundara – Ever Beautiful
Nrityapriya – Lover of Dance
Omkara – Originator of OM
Palanhaar – One Who Protects Everyone
Parameshwara – First among All Gods
Paramjyoti – Greatest Splendor
Pashupati – Lord of All Living Beings
Pinakin – One Who Has a Bow In His Hand
Pranava – Originator of the Syllable of OM
Priyabhakta – Favorite of the Devotees
Priyadarshana – of Loving Vision
Pushkara – One Who Gives Nourishment
Pushpalochana – One Who Has Eyes like Flowers
Ravilochana – Having Sun as the Eye
Rudra – the Dreadful
Rudraksha – One Who Has Eyes like Rudra
Sadashiva – Eternal God
Sanatana – Eternal Lord
Sarvacharya – Preceptor of All
Sarvashiva – Always Chaste
Sarvatapana – Scorcher of All
Sarvayoni – Source of Everything
Sarveshwara – Lord of All Gods
Shambhu – One Who Bestows Prosperity
Shankara – One Who Gives Happiness
Shiva – Always Pure
Shoolin – One Who Has a Trident (Trishool)
Shrikantha – of Magnificent Neck
Shrutiprakasha – Illuminator of the Vedas
Shuddhavigraha – One Who Has a Pure Body
Skandaguru – Preceptor of Skanda
Someshwara – Lord of All Gods
Sukhada – Bestower of Happiness
Suprita – Well Pleased
Suragana – Having Gods As Attendants
Sureshwara – Lord Of All Gods
Swayambhu – Self-Manifested
Tejaswani – One Who Spreads Illumination
Trilochana – Three-Eyed Lord
Trilokpati – Master of All the Three Worlds
Tripurari – Enemy of Tripura
Trishoolin – One Who Has a Trident in His Hands
Umapati – Husband of Uma (Parvati)
Vachaspati – Lord of Speech
Vajrahasta – One Who Has a Thunderbolt in His Hands
Varada – Granter of Boons
Vedakarta – Creator of the Vedas
Veerabhadra – Supreme Lord of the Nether World
Vishalaksha – Wide-Eyed Lord
Vishveshwara – Lord of the Universe
Vrishavahana – One Who Has Bull as His Mount
According to Hindu tradition, devotees chant the various names of their personal gods continuously during worship as a mark of devotion. 108 is considered an auspicious number. Hence Siva is extolled through these 108 names during the puja rituals either by the priests or by the worshippers themselves.