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).
Legend
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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]
Siva is also Bhole for it was he who agreed and actually drank Halahala to save the worlds. Godess Shakti the Lords consort also agreed to Bhole in saving the worlds thus, for she had unshakable faith in Her Mangalya Balam for she Herself was SarvaMangala. This whole episode from the Puranas and in shaivaite/shakta literary works further refer to His innocence.
Shiva is also bhole - the one who innocently loves everyone so much that while everyone leaves the dead, no matter how Close, in the cremation ground after performing the rites and go back to their home and back to their lives, it is Bhole who stays back, and in fact resides there as smashanaVaasi to aid the dead(laya). He is Smashanavasi as per scriptures, and literary texts and word of mouth from one generations to another. a Simple God with unconditional love (Bhole)
Bhole "innocence" also signifies the Universal which accomidates us all without qualification. At the Individual level Bhole also signifies the Inner Self which accomidates and accepts the entire aggregate(mind, body, emotions and other sankharas , stored data and procedures) of the Individual from moment to moment without qualification. As "innocence" Bhole symbolizes "sthanu" as the pillar which thus unconditionally supports and accepts all(Love). All are his own manifestations and thus innocent and saral (simple GoD).
See also
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.
- 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.