Mythological Legends & Tales about Lord Shiva

Numerous mythological legends and tales were told about Lord Shiva. One of the most popular legends ever told is the coming down of Ganga to Earth. This legend originated from Ramayana and narrated about King Bhagirath, who meditated once prior Lord Brahma. His meditation lasted for a thousand years and has a purpose for the salvation of his ancestors’ souls. Because of the king’s devotion, Lord Brahma granted him a wish.

The king requested from Lord Brahma to send the river Ganges from heaven down to earth. His reason for this wish is for him to flow over the ashes of his ancestors and wash away their curses so that they could be allowed to enter in heaven. Before Lord Brahma granted the wish to King Bhagirath, he told the king to pray to Lord Shiva. Immediately, the king prayed to Lord Shiva and the holy river of Ganges was descended over the earth. This legend is often reenacted through bathing the “linga”.

Another famous mythological tale about Lord Shiva is the tale about the tiger and the leaves. This tale narrates about a hunter who chases a deer in a dense forest. As the hunter wandered around the forest, he found himself along the riverbanks of Kolidum. While standing along the riverbanks, the hunter heard a growling tiger. In able to protect himself from the wild beast, he climbed immediately towards the nearby tree.

All night long, the hunter stayed up in the tree. To keep himself from falling asleep, he plucked gently every leaf from the tree and threw it down towards the ground. Under the bilva tree where the hunter perked was a Shiva Linga, a deity pleased by the hunter with bilva leaves unknowingly. When sunrise came, the hunter looked down the tree and find out that the tiger was no longer there instead Lord Shiva stood in its place. The hunter kneels before the Lord Shiva and gained salvation from the cycle of his birth and death.

According to another legend, Vishnu and Brahma had an argument regarding their supremacy. Vishnu and Brahma are two of the deities of the Holy Trinity. Lord Brahma as a Creator, declares himself a more respected deity, while Lord Vishnu as a Preserver, announced that he commanded more value. During their argument, a gigantic “lingam” appeared before them covered with flames known as the “Jyotirlinga”. The two deities were amazed with its rapidly increasing size and forgot about their argument as they both determine the size of the lingam. Lord Shiva appeared out of the lingam and announced that he was the progenitor to both of them, thus he should be worshipped in his phallic form instead.

Afterwards, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a boar, proceeded to the netherworld while Lord Brahma assumed the form of a swan, and flew towards the skies. The two deities failed to accomplish their self-assumed responsibilities.

The origin of Shivaratri Festival is a legend itself according to its devotees. This festival observes ceremonial baths and fasting activities. According to the legend, after the creation was completed, Lord Shiva lived his life on top of the Mount Kailash along with his assistant Parvati. Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva if which of his devotees’ many rituals pleases him most. Lord Shiva replied that his favorite ritual is the 14th night of the new moon during the Phalgun month. This ritual is what we call today as the Shivaratri Day.