Bholenath
[full citation needed] Bholenath (or Bolenath, Bhole Nath) (Template:Lang-sa, Bhōlēnātha) - one of names of Hindu god Shiva.[1][2] Translation of this name is a Lord (nātha) of simplicity and simple people (bhōlē).[3]
Bholenath: The word ‘Bhola’(Hindi) means –naïve, simple minded, gullible and one who believes others words without any question. Lord Shiva is called ‘Bholenath’ because he believes the words of his devotees immediately and grants their wishes without any second thought. He can be pleased simply by pouring a glass of water or placing two Bilva leaves on his head. This innocent nature of Lord Shiva has been taken advantage of by many Asuras. For example, there was an asura called Bhasmasura, a person who smeared ashes all over his body. He undertook a severe penance to please Lord Shiva. Shiva was pleased with him and granted him a boon. He requested that he may be granted a boon such that whenever he placed his palm on the head of anybody, the person should be reduced to ashes. Lord Shiva granted the boon without a second thought. He is the powerful in all over the universe according to Hinduism. The consequences are explained in detail in the Wikipedia article on Bhasmasura.
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ Madhya Pradesh (India). Directorate of Archaeology & Museums (1989). Puratan. Department of Archaeology and Museums, Madhya Pradesh. ISSN 0970-8227. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
- ^ Pattanaik, D. (2006). Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol. Indus Source Books. ISBN 9788188569045. Retrieved 2015-08-13.