Precious stones and Gems plays a vital role in our lives. Astrology gives a lot of importance to the study of Gems and how they impact human lives. In fact, more than ninety percent of the natives wear one or other gem according to the suggestions given by an astrologer. A lay man is unable to identify the originality of the gem and that of stone. It is our endeavor to give some basic information about the genuineness of the gems and colored stones.
Ruby, the gem stone ruled by Sun
Ruby is a symbolic beauty, health, love, passion and friendship
Pearl, the gem ruled by Moon
Pearl inspires purity, honesty, innocence, integrity, concentration, meditation and tranquility
Red Coral, the gem ruled by Mars
Red Coral promotes creativity, passion, wisdom and enthusiasm
Emerald, the French Esmeralda
Emeralds promises good luck and enhances well being
Yellow Sapphire, the gem ruled by Guru
Yellow Sapphire symbolizes universal love, affection and spiritual knowledge
Diamond, the gem ruled by Sukra
Diamond induces purity and fearlessness
Blue Sapphire, the gem ruled by Shani
Blue Sapphire protects danger while travelling and eases mental unrest and various forms of madness
Hessonite, the gem ruled by Rahu
Hessonite protects from accidents and evil spirits and brings wealthy and prosperity to the wearer
Cats Eye, the gem ruled by Ketu
Cats Eye builds determination and strengthens mind

S no. 

English
Hindi
Sanskrit
Burmese
Chinese
Arabic
1

Manak
Manikya
Budmiya
Se-fla-yu-syak
Yakut
2

Moti
Mukta
Pa-le
Chun-ti
Lulu
3

Moonga
Praval
Tada
Sau-ho-Chi
Marjan
4

Panna
Markat
Muja
Luk-Syak
Zumurrud
5

Pukhraj
Pushyaraga
Outfiya
Si-Iyan-Syak
Yakut-Al-Azrak
6

Heera
Vajra
Chein
Chun-Syak
Almas
7

Neelam
Neela/Nila
Nila
Chang-Syak
Yakut-Al-Asfar
8

Gomedh
Gomeda
Gomok
Pi-Si
Hazar Yamani
9

Lehsunia
Vaidurya
Chano
Mau-Ji Gan
Ain al- hirr

 खड्गं कपालं डमरुं त्रिशूलं हस्तांबुजे सन्दधतं त्रिणेत्रम् ।
दिगम्बरं भस्मविभूषिताङ्ग नमाम्यहं भैरवमिन्दुचूडम् ॥

MEANING OF THIS MANTRA
 The kAlabhairava idol is a small idol with a prabhavali. He is holing a khadga (sword), damaru, trishula and a munda(human head) in his four hands and wears sandals and anklets. The dog his vahana (mount) is behind. The flowery garland etched in stone is very beautiful.




Singnificance of Kala Bhairava Worship

Kala Bhairava represents the march of time. Bhairava, or Kala bhairava, the fierce aspect of Lord Shiva, is the destroyer of all destroying Time (Maha Kala), over sees the march of the mysterious time, ( not only human life but also countries and planets as well), ensuring the evanescence of all phenomena.
Hymns on Kala bhairava highlights a truth; “Time is the most precious. Time lost is lost for ever. Wise people should use every moment of time effectively. Lord Kala Bhairava helps everyone to make one’s time useful.”
Kala bhairava is one of the eight Bharaiva fierce manifestations of Lord Shiva. Eight manifestations of kala Bhairava are said to guard the eight spatial directions and the abode of Lord Shiva. The eight manifestations, are Kala Bhairava, Asitanga Bhairava, Samhara Bhairava, Ruru Bhairava, Krodha Bhairava, Kapala Bhairava, Rudra Bhirava and Unmatta Bhairava.
Kala Bhairava is worshipped as ksetra pala, the guardian deity of a temple complex. The temple keys are ceremoniously placed at his feet after closing the doors and taken back with his permission for opening the doors of the main temple.
He is also the protector of pilgrims and travellers. If we pray to Kala Bhiarava before undertaking a journey, he will help us reach the destination safely.
He is not only the protector of the sacred place but also the deity of liberation.
The worship of Shiva in the aspect of Kala Bhairava helps one realize the transitory nature of worldly existence and make the most of the rare human birth to realize Brahman, the supreme reality.
Kala Bhairava is also the presiding deity of the planet rahu, which has a powerful influence on human beings. Propitiation of Kala Bhairava by the recitation of the Kala Bhairavashtakam and the like, serves as remedial action for people afflicted by Rahu.
Kala Bhairavashtakam has been composed by Adi Shankara, and Jagadguru  Sri Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Swamigal the 33rd Acharya of Sringeri Math
Devotees offer vadesara, abhisheka and even silver anklets to Kala bhairava on ashtami tithi. The temple is opened in the mornings at 11.00 am for the daily puja and abhishekam.

Kala Bhairava teaches you the highest truth that your life is going to depend on how you relate to time. If you insult time by idling it away, you will be cursed by Kala Bhairava. On the other hand if you worship time, even a millisecond will matter and bring you prosperity, victory and peace. As a human being you think that nothing is going to happen in one millisecond, but then the divine knows methods to change your life in a millseconnd.
If you are endlessly waiting for things to happen and it never happens, this means you have offended time either in this life or previous life All that you need is a worshipful attitude towards time.  You can fix the problem by worshiping Kala Bhairava.
Synonyms of God Shiva
1. Linga Murthy – In this form the God Shiva in formless form
2. LinGodbhava Murthy- This is the Form of God Shiva emerging from formless
3. Mukhalingam- In this form the Shiv Linga form with five faces of God Shiva is worshipped.
4. SadaShiva Murthy- In this form again the Lord Shiva with five faces
5. Maha sadaShiva Murthy- In this form the God Shiva with twenty five faces
6. Umamaheshvara Murthy- This is the sixth form and in this the God Shiva with Goddess uma or Parvati.
7. Sukasana Murthy – In this particular form you will find Lord Shiva with his wife and is in a pleasant mood. If worshipped in this form he grants peace and happiness.
8. Umesha Murthy – in this form the Lord Shiva is seen with his wife and one of his hand is in a vardana pose.
9. Somaskandha Murthi- This is a popular form of Lord Shiva. The God Shiva is seen with Goddess uma and Lord skandha in this form.
10. Vrishabhantika Murthy- In this pose the Lord Shiva is seen along with bull. Many devotees prefer to worship the Lord in this form.
11. Chandrashekara Murthy- God Shiva with crescent is seen in this form. This was when the moon told him to keep him on his head after the moon was saved from the curse of his father in law by Lord Shiva.
12. Bhujanga Lalita Murthy – Lord Shiva liked to keep a snake on his body all the time. In this form he is seen with a snake.
13. Sada nritta Murthy – In this form the Lord Shiva is seen in the form of Natraj. He is seen with his wife and standing on the body of a demon.
14. Gangavisarjana Murthy – God Shiva releasing ganga in this form. This is the form in which the Lord Shiva held the Ganga on his head.
15. Ardanarishvara Murthy- God Shiva Goddess shakti together in one form is worshipped by many. In this form the Lord Shiva and his wife are seen together. The form is of half Lord Shiva and half of Goddess Parvati.
16. Vrishabharudar – in this form the Lord Shiva is seen sitting on a bull.
17. Bhujanga Trasa Murthy – In this particular form the Lord Shiva is seen with a sanke in one hand and fire in the other. As usual there is damroo in one hand and with the fourth hand he is seen blessing the devotees.
18. Chandathandava Murthy – In this form the Lord Shiva is seen standing on a demon. It is considered to be one of the fierce forms of the Lord Shiva.
19. Tripurantaka Murthy – In this form the Lord Shiva is seen riding a chariot that is driven by four horses.  He also has his wife with him in this form.
20. Gajasura Samhara Murthy – In this form the God Shiva is seen peeling an elephant.
21. Sandhya Nritta Murthy – This is an interesting form of the Lord Shiva. In this form he is seen with his wife and with a damroo in his hand. He is again seen killing an asura in this form.
22. Gangadhara Murthy – God Shiva with the river Ganga falling into matted locks is seen in this particular form.
23. Kalyanasundhara Murthy – Lord Shiva in this form is seen getting married to Goddess Partvati the daughter of Himalaya.
24. JvarabhagnaMurthy – This form of the Lord Shiva is also called the jvarahara Murthy. In this form the Lord is seen with three faces and three legs. The Lord is dancing in this pose.
25. Shardhula Hara Murthy – This is a form in which the God Shiva is seen with a tiger skin. This is a popular form of the Lord Shiva.
26. Keshavartha Murthy – This form of the Lord Shiva is also called the Shankaranarayana. You will see that in this form the Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are seen together in one body. You can see damroo in one hand and Chakra in the other. This is a very popular form of the Lord Shiva and is worshipped in many parts of the country even today.
27. Chandisha Anugraha Murthy- In this form the Lord Shiva is seen gifting the Kamdhenu cow to a Sage. Kamdhenu was a mystical cow and it would fulfil all the wishes of its master.
28. Vinadhara DakshinaMurthy – In this form the Lord Shiva is seen holding a musical instrument that is called the Vina. He is seen standing on a demon and is surrounded by Gods.
29. LakulishvaraMurthy – The Lord Shiva is seen sitting in a composed form as LakulishvaraMurthy. He as usual holds his damroo and trishool.
30. Vaduka Murthy – This form of the Lord Shiva is called the Bhairava. In this particular form the Lord is seen holding a snake and a bowl. In this form the Lord is seen as a simple hermit that he was.
31. Agorastra Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen as an agori in this form.
32. GuruMurthy – In this form the Lord Shiva is seen as a sage who is teaching others. This was the form in which the Lord used to share his knowledge with the sages in the Gyan sabha.
33. Jalandharavata Murthy – In this particular form you can see the Lord Shiva killing Jalandhara. Jalandhara was a part of Lord Shiva but as he was creating havoc in heaven and earth the Lord Shiva was forced to kill him.
34. Ekapadha Murthy – This is a form of Lord Shiva where he is seen standing on one leg.
35. Gaurilila Samanvita Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen sitting with his wife in this pose. He was the only God who had a family and in this he is shown as a family man.
36. Brahma Shirachetha Murthy – Once Lord Vishu and Brahma had a fight and they wanted to know who was greater. The Lord Shiva in this form is seen cursing Lord Brahma saying that he will never be worshipped in spite of being the creator of the world.
37. Varaha Samhara Murthy – As the name clearly says the Lord Shiva is seen killing a Varaha in this form.
38. Shishyabhava Murthy- The Lord Shiva is seen in this form with his devotees and his wife Goddess parvati.
39. Pasupatha Murthy – This is a form of Lord Shiva he is seen with some Gods and he is in a larger than life form.
40. Bhikshatana Murthy – This is a form of the God Shiva on alms.
41. Vyakyana DakshinaMurthy – In this form again the Lord is seen killing a demon who would not allow the sages to do their duties.
42. Kalanthakar- In this form the Lord Shiva is also called the KalasamharaMurthy. In this the Lord came out of a fire to kill a demon.
43. Bhairav Murthy – In this form the Lord Shiva is seen with a dog.
44. Kshetrapaala Murthy – In this form the Lord is also called the Bhairavar. He is again seen with a dog in this form.
45. Dakshayagyahara Murthy – We all know about the Daksha yagna where Lord Shiva was insulted and his wife Sati killed herself. In this form the Lord is seen killing the king Daksha.
46. Ashvaruda Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen sitting on a horse in this pose.
47. Ekapada triMurthy – This is a very strong form of Lord Shiva. In this form he is seen taking the forms of vishnu and brahma
48. Gaurivaraprada Murthy – In this form the Lord is seen with gauri.
49. Vishapaharana Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen resting in this pose with his wife sitting beside him.
50. Kurma samhara Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen with Lord Vishnu in this form.
51. Prarthana Murthy – This is a form in which the Lord Shiva is seen with his wife in a very happy mood.
52. Kankala Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen in a standing pose all alone in this form.
53. Simhaghna Murthy – In this form the Lord is seen with three heads of lion and he is seen killing a demon.
54. Yoga dakshinaMurthy – This is a pose in which the Lord Shiva is seen in yogic posture. The Lord in this form is also called dakshinaMurthy.
55. Kama dahana Murthy – We have already explained that Lord Shiva once burnt down Lord Kama. In this form he is seen burning cupid.
56. ApatuttaranaMurthy – The Lord is seen as a simple hermit in this form with a stick and a bowl.
57. Virabhadra Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen as a warrior in this form loaded with weapons.
58. Kiratha Murthy- The Lord Shiva is seen with bow and arrow in this form. He looks like a hunter in this form.
59. Gajantika Murthy – The Lord in this form is seen with an elephant.
60. Tripada trimurthi – In this form again the Lord Shiva is seen standing on one leg with log Vishnu and Brahma on both his sides.
61. Chakradanasvarupa Murthy- In this particular form the God Shiva is seen giving sudarshana chakra to Lord Vishnu.
62. Garudanthika Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen in this form with his wife and he is being worshipped by a number of Gods including Garur.
63. Matsya samhara Murthy – In this form Lord Shiva is seen with a fish. It was a form he took when Lord Vishnu took the form of fish.
64. Rakthabhiksha pradana Murthy – The Lord Shiva is seen with Lord Vishnu in this form. The Lord Shiva is seen using his Trishool to get some blood from the body of Lord Vishnu.

  1. Bhikshatana Murti
  2. Nataraja Murti
  3. Aja-Ekapada Murti
  4. Yoga-Dakshinamurti
  5. Lingodhava Murti
  6. Kamadahana Murti (Kamari)
  7. Tripurantaka Murti(Tripurari)
  8. Mahakaleshvara Murti (Kalari/Kalantaka/Kalasamhara)
  9. Jalandharavata Murti (Jalandhari)
  10. Gajasurasamhara Murti (Gajantika)
  11. Virabhadra Murti (Karala)
  12. Kankala-Bhairava Murti
  13. Kalyanasundara Murti
  14. Vrishabharudha Murti
  15. Chandrashekhara Murti
  16. Uma-Maheshvara Murti
  17. Shankaranarayana Murti (Keshavardha/Harihara)
  18. Ardanarishvara Murti
  19. Kirata Murti
  20. Chandeshvaranugraha Murti
  21. Chakradaneshvararupa Murti (Chakrapradasvarupa)
  22. Somaskanda Murti
  23. Gajamukhanugraha Murti
  24. Nilakantha-Maheshvara Murti
  25. Sukhasana Murti
  26. Mukhalinga Murti (Panchamukhalingam)
  27. Sadashiva Murti
  28. Mahasadashiva Murti
  29. Umesha Murti
  30. Vrishabhantika Murti
  31. Bhujangarlalita Murti
  32. Bhujangatrasa Murti
  33. Sandhyanritta Murti
  34. Sadanritta Murti
  35. Chanda-Tandava Murti
  36. Gangadhara Murti
  37. Gangavisarjana Murti
  38. Jvarabhagna Murti
  39. Shardhulahara Murti
  40. Pashupata Murti
  41. Vyakhyana-Dakshinamurti
  42. Vina-Dakshinamurti
  43. Vaguleshvara Murti
  44. Apat-Uddharana Murti
  45. Vatuka Bhairava Murti
  46. Kshetrapala Murti
  47. Aghorastra Murti
  48. Dakshayajnahara Murti
  49. Ashvarudha Murti
  50. Ekapada-Trimurti Murti
  51. Tripada-Trimurti Murti
  52. Gaurivaraprada Murti
  53. Gaurililasamanvita Murti
  54. Vrishabhaharana Murti
  55. Garudantika Murti
  56. Brahmasirachedataka Murti
  57. Kurmasamhara Murti (Kurmari)
  58. Mastyasamhara Murti (Mastyari)
  59. Varahasamhara Murti (Varahari)
  60. Simhagna Murti (Sharabha/Sharabheshvara)
  61. Raktabhikshapradana Murti
  62. Guru-Murti (Gurushiva)
  63. Prarthana-Murti
  64. Shishyabhava Murti
  65. Anandatandava Murti
  66. Shantyatandava Murti
  67. Samharatandava Murti
  68. Kapalishvara Murti (Brahmakapaladhara)
  69. Mahamritunjaya Murti
  70. Tryaksharmritunjaya Murti
  71. Shadaksharamrityunjaya Murti
  72. Andhasurasamhara Murti
  73. Juvarapaghna Murti
  74. Simhasana Murti
  75. Ilakeshvara Murti
  76. Satyanatha Murti
  77. Ishana Murti
  78. Tatpurusha Murti
  79. Aghora Murti
  80. Vamadeva Murti
  81. Ananteshvara Murti
  82. Kumaranugraha Murti
  83. Hayagrivanugraha Murti
  84. Maha Rudra Murti
  85. Nartana Rudra Murti
  86. Shanta Rudra Murti
  87. Yoga Rudra Murti
  88. Krodha Rudra Murti
  89. Vrinji Rudra Murti
  90. Muhunta Rudra Murti
  91. Dvibhuja Rudra Murti
  92. Ashtabhuja Rudra Murti
  93. Dashabhuja Rudra Murti
  94. Trimukha Rudra
  95. Panchamukhabhishana Rudra Murti
  96. Jvalakeshashadbhuja Rudra Murti
  97. Aghora Rudra Murti
  98. Vishnudharmottara Rudra Murti
  99. Bhima Rudra Murti
  100. Svarnakarshana Rudra Murti
  101. Bhishana Bhairava Murti
  102. Kapala Bhairava Murti
  103. Unmatta Bhairava Murti
  104. Krodha Bhairava Murti
  105. Asitanga Bhairava Murti
  106. Ruru Bhairava Murti
  107. Chanda Bhairava Murti
  108. Samhara Bhairava Murti           
MRITHUNJAYA MANTRA:
MRITHUNJAYA MANTRA contains three key words of essence: Thryambaka, Sugandhim and Pushtivardhanam. It is hailed by rishis and sages as the heart of the Vedas. It is a “great death-conquering mantra" and is also known as “Tryambakam Mantra”. It is sometimes known as the Mrita or Sanjivini mantra because it is a component of the ‘life-restoring’ practice given to the primodial sage Shukra after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity.

Aum Trayambakam Yajamahe,
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam;
Urva Rukamiva Bandhanaan,
Mrityor Mokshiye Maamritat.

वैदिक मंत्र
ॐ त्र्यम्बकँ य्यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्द्धनम् ।
उर्व्वारूकमिव बन्धनान्न्मृत्योर्म्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ।
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं य्यजामहे सुगन्धिम्पतिवेदनम् ।
उर्व्वारूकमिव बन्धनादितोमुक्षीय मामुत: ।।
पौराणिक मंत्र
ॐ मृत्युंजयमहादेवं त्राहि मां शरणागतम् ।
जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिपीडितं कर्मबन्धनै:॥

समय मंत्र
ॐ हौं जुं स: मृत्युंजयाय नम:॥





It is a verse of the Rigveda 7:59:12 and reoccurs in Yajurveda TS 1.8.6.i; VS 3.60. Next to the Gayathri mantra the Mrithunjaya mantra is a widely recited mantra by Hindus. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is dedicated to Tryambaka, the ‘three eyed one’ – a reference to Rudra. In that sense it is Rudra mantra as it refers to the furious aspects of Shiva’s attributes. It is a ‘life-restoring’ mantra and used in contemplation and meditation. The mantra conceives all the four ‘purushaartas’ or objectives of life - dharma or righteousness; artha or wealth; kama or desire and moksha or liberation. Among its meaning there are three key words: Pushtivardhanam, Sugandhi and Thryambaka needing elaboration. The remaining words means:

‘Aum’ – This is the sacred pranava mantra;
‘yajamahe’ - means ‘we worship, adore and revere you’; ‘
vardhanam’ – is one who nourishes, strengthens or restores, for example health or wealth;
‘urvarukam’ – here ‘urva’ means ‘vishal’ or big, powerful or deadly. ‘Arukam’ means disease. Thus ‘urvarukam means deadly and overpowering diseases. The pumpkin or cucumber interpretation is given to show detachment. The diseases are those caused by the negative effects of the three gunas and therefore (a) ‘avidya’ – ignorance or falsehood and (b) ‘sadripu’ – a constraint of the physical body.
‘bandhanan’ – ‘bandha’ means bondage. ‘bandhanan’ would therefore mean ‘from capitivity’ that is from the stem of the cucumber.
‘mrtyor’ – from death;
‘ma’ – not
‘amrtat’ – for immortality; emancipation

Pushtivardhanam: Pushti means well nourished condition, fullness of life, broadly meaning material benefits. In the beginning stages of life, we all seek material benefits - artha and kama. After artha the basic need one looks forward to kama. Artha and kama together is called pushti. The Vedas say pushti alone is not enough as it relates to this janma only. So Rudram says if you are interested in basic needs and material benefits, come to me as there are other subtler matters such as punya karma.

Sugandhi: Sugandhi means fragrance. The word in the mantra does not refer to physical fragrance, ie perfume but fragrance of character. Perfume emanates from a source and spreads to a reasonable distance. As such noble character spreads with warmth. It is said in the Vedas that one standing under a tree benefits from the fragrance of the flowers. Thus one standing under the shadow of the Lord has the benefit of His dharma. This motivates us to serve selflessly.

Thryambaka: Thryambaka means “one who has three eyes” referring to Rudra or Siva who share the same attributes. (1) Firstly, in His ‘vishwaroopa’ or universal form, the three eyes symbolically signify the sun, moon and fire. Sunlight during the day, moon at night and fire in their absence signify illumination. (2) Secondly, the pair of eyes give sight to the material world and its experiences. The third eye is symbolic of ‘atma-jnana’ or knowledge of the Self through which one sees the higher reality. Kamadeva or Manmatha is the God of Desire perennially churning the mind and causing restlessness.

Lord Siva is said to have burned Manmatha with His third eye. This signifies that one burns down all desires through jnana and progress the spiritual path. (3) The third signification is depicted by a Puranic story. Asuras had amassed strength, wealth with which they built three cities. The three cities symbolise Maya. Lord Siva burns down the cities with His third eye.

The three cities indeed represent (1) sharirathryam - the three bodies – gross body, subtle body and casual body; (2) prapanchathryam - the three worlds - gross world, subtle world and casual world; (3) ‘gunathryam’ - the three gunas - satva, rajas and tamas; One becomes a ‘trigunaatita; ie to go beyond the three gunas by devotion and worship of the Lord. (4)avasthathryam -the three states of experience - waking, dream and deep sleep.

Siva gives moksha purushaartha. There is no necessity to despise moksha. A diamond mine does not desire the diamonds in it; it was not even aware of its presence. The creeper was not aware of the cucumber. Both the diamond and the cucumber will “drop-off” some day when they are ripe or by plunder. Awareness does not bar detachment. ‘Moksha’ means liberation and ‘purushaartha’ means ‘human end’. ‘Moksha purushaartha’ is liberation as an objective worthy of human pursuit. When one’s life is ripe enough and having the benefit of choice, one may get detached from worldly life. Thus one sees that the Mrithyunjaya mantra gives all the four purushaartas of the dharma, artha, kama and moksha. 



After Reciting Mrityunjay mantra One Lakh  times you can start Aghor Shiv Sadhna 

Without doubt, Lord Shiva is the most fascinating God-head in Indian philosophy. He is enchanting and can draw variety of people towards him. For a matter of fact, he is called Raudra and Bholenath at the same time.
 He represents the creation itself

He represents the creation itself
Personally, I feel Lord Shiva is what we should be--easy to leave away the negativity but being very concentrated and determined when it comes to doing a task. He represents the finest qualities a human can adopt.

3. He is ever-close

He is ever-close
I don't know why but I feel Lord Shiva is the easiest at the same time most-difficult Godhead to please. He is like the mischievous mother who likes to test the determination and devotion of her children.

4. He is Mahakaal

He is Mahakaal
Among many of his names, he is called Mahakaal. This name has many interpretations and legends associated with it. In common parlance, whoever is beyond time and death is called Mahakaal. Lord Shiva, according to various stories, have transcended both and therefore is the worthy bearer of this name.

5. Beyond Time

Beyond Time
Kaal is simply translated to time. Because Lord Shiva is believed to be existing before the beginning of time, he is called Mahakaal. Another name for this characteristic is Kalateet, which literally means beyond the frets of time.

6. Beyond Death

Beyond Death
Kaal in simple terms also means death. Lord Shiva is beyond the birth and death cycle and therefore known with this name. However, there is story associated with this name which signifies more appropriately.

7. Sage Markandeya

Sage Markandeya
The story of sage Markandeya is beautiful. The parents of the sage did not have any progeny and prayed earnestly to Lord Shiva. They were given two choices--a son who will live for hundred of years but will have no spiritual inclination, or a son who will live for 16 years but will be an exalted devotee of Lord Shiva.

8. They chose the devoted son

They chose the devoted son
Without doubt, the parents chose a spiritually oriented son. Markandeya was born and he was engaged in worshiping Lord Shiva right from his childhood. When the time of his death came, his parents told him about the condition.

9. Markandeya had total faith

Markandeya had total faith
He did not get perturbed. He had total faith in Lord Shiva. He prayed to Lord Shiva and feel in exhausted state putting his arms around the Shivalinga.

10. Kaal approached him

Kaal approached him
When the Death God approached him and threw his noose around Markandeya, it coiled around the Shivalinga too. This was unacceptable. Lord Shiva appeared there looking determined to kill the Death God itself.

11. Markandeya was given eternity

Markandeya was given eternity
Frightened by the very prospect of getting killed, the Death God pleaded for mercy and granted eternal life to the devotee of Lord Shiva.

12. Dual significance of this story

Dual significance of this story
This story vindicates the devotion of Markandeya and at the same time emphasizes the belief that devotion to Lord Shiva can save us from death, and therefore birth too--which means it can give us liberation.

13. Thus the name Mahakaal

Thus the name Mahakaal
Because even Kaal fears Lord Shiva, he is called Mahakaal. There are other stories too that are associated with him being beyond time and therefore earning the moniker Mahakaal.

14. Names are for arousing devotion

Names are for arousing devotion
In spirituality, all names have one common goal--to around the devotion in the person who is chanting or reciting those names. Different names appeal to different people and they have same common power, because they have the common source. We should not infer that one name is more potent than the other.

15. What's your input?

What's your input?
I am sure you had heard about this name and knew its significance also. If not, share how you felt to come to know the story behind this beautiful name.
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