When Shiva was asked the name of his great grandfather at the wedding: Know why Lord Shiva is called ‘Devadhidev Mahadev’

With the beginning of the holy month of Sawan, the wind of Shiva devotion has started blowing everywhere. We call Lord Shiva by many names – Neelkanth, Bholenath, Rudra, Shambhu… but the most important name is ‘Mahadev’i.e. God of Gods.

After all, why was Lord Shiva considered supreme among all the gods and goddesses and given the status of ‘Devadhidev’? The answer to this question is found in a very beautiful and interesting way in the pages of mythology and Shiva Purana.

When names of ancestors were asked in the marriage hall

There is a very beautiful incident related to Shiva’s marriage in mythological texts. When the marriage of Lord Shiva was fixed, according to the tradition of that time, the names of the groom’s family, gotra and ancestors were asked from the girl’s side.

• Father’s Name: When he was asked the name of his father, Lord Shiva calmly told his name as ‘Shiv’ and as his father Brahma ji Took the name of.

• Grandfather’s Name: After this when asked who is your grandfather? Then Lord Shiva said smilingly, the sustainer of the universe. Lord Vishnu He is my grandfather.

• Great grandfather’s name: The curiosity of the girl’s side did not end here. He asked the next question, “If Brahma is your father and Vishnu is your grandfather, then who is your great grandfather?”

On hearing this question, Lord Shiva laughed loudly and said with great love – “We are everyone’s great grandfather!”

Legend has it that at that very moment everyone understood that Shiva was the origin, beginning and end of this universe. Since then he came to be known as ‘Adidev’ and ‘Devadhidev Mahadev’.

What does Shiv Purana say?

This eternal form of Bholenath has been described through a famous verse in Shiv Purana:

“Don’t know the ultimate place, don’t know the birth place.”

Maheshwar Namastebhyam Tvamev Sharanam Mam.

Meaning: “O Maheshwar! I neither know your supreme abode nor your birth or original form. I bow to you, because you are my only refuge.”

Its simple meaning is that Shiva is beyond time, form and boundaries. They symbolize the Supreme Consciousness from which Brahma, Vishnu and all cosmic energies originate.

Why worship ‘Shivlinga’ instead of human form?

You must have often noticed that whether it is a temple or a home, the main worship of Lord Shiva is not in any human form, but Shivalinga It is done as. There is also a deep spiritual reason behind this:

• Symbol of infinite energy: Shivalinga is not bound to any one shape or limit, it represents the infinite universe and formless energy.

• Beloved of both gods and demons: Shiva is the only god who is worshiped by both gods and demons alike.

• Form of Adiyogi: They are eternal symbols living beyond creation and destruction.

That is why Lord Shiva is not only the king of the gods, but is the master of the consciousness of the entire creation, which never takes birth and never ends.

(Disclaimer: This content is based on religious texts, mythological events and popular beliefs. Partial differences in the details of the stories are possible according to different traditions and scholars. Its purpose is to share religious and cultural information.)