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Why Lord Shiva have blue throat or called as Neelkanth
Why Lord Shiva have blue throat or called as Neelkanth – Lord Shiva is known by many names, and Neelkanth is one of them. The word “Neelkanth” is a combination of two words, “Neel” meaning blue and “Kanth” meaning throat. So Neelkanth literally means “blue-throated.”
There are different stories and interpretations behind why Lord Shiva is called Neelkanth. Here are a few:
It is believed that the gods and demons once decided to work together to obtain the nectar of immortality (amrit) from the depths of the ocean. To obtain the nectar, they had to churn the ocean with the help of Mount Mandara as the churning rod and the serpent Vasuki as the churning rope. As they started churning the ocean, they encountered many obstacles and challenges, including the emergence of deadly poison (halahala) that had potential to destroy the world. Lord Shiva, in his benevolence, came forward to drink the poison and save the world. As he drank the poison, his throat turned blue, and he came to be known as Neelkanth (the blue-throated one).
Another interpretation suggests that Lord Shiva is called Neelkanth because of his association with the blue lotus (Neel Kamal). The blue lotus is considered to be a symbol of spiritual purity and enlightenment, and it is often associated with Lord Shiva.
The blue color of Lord Shiva’s throat is also believed to represent his all-encompassing nature. He is said to have absorbed all the negative energies and emotions of the world, transforming them into positive energy and pure consciousness.
These are just a few interpretations behind why Lord Shiva is called Neelkanth. The name is a reflection of his divine attributes, his benevolence, his spiritual purity, and his all-encompassing nature.
More Lord Shiva stories can be found below :
Lord Shiva Stories | Indian Mythology Stories
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