Bholenath

Bholanatha (Sanskrit: भोलानाथ, romanized: Bholānātha, lit. 'lord of innocence'), also popularly rendered Bholenath, is an epithet of the Hindu god Shiva.[1][2] The epithet indicates the status of Shiva as the lord (nātha) of innocence (bholā).

Painting of Shiva, the bearer of this epithet.

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The epithet of Bholanatha is sometimes associated with the episode of Bhasmasura. In this legend, the aforementioned asura sought the boon of turning anything he touched to ash after propitiating Shiva. His boon granted, the asura decided to test the boon on Shiva himself, attempting to reduce the deity to ash as the latter fled. Shiva prayed to Vishnu, who appeared in the form of Mohini, the beautiful enchantress. She tricked Bhasmasura into placing his own hand on his head while teaching him to dance, thus saving the innocent Shiva.[3]

See also

References
  1. Freitag, S.B. (1992). Culture and Power in Banaras: Community, Performance, and Environment, 1800-1980. University of California Press. p. 112. ISBN 9780520080942. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  2. Madhya Pradesh (India). Directorate of Archaeology & Museums (1989). Puratan. Department of Archaeology and Museums, Madhya Pradesh. ISSN 0970-8227. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  3. Doniger, Wendy (1993-01-01). Purana Perennis: Reciprocity and Transformation in Hindu and Jaina Texts. SUNY Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-7914-1381-4.
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