Shiva

Shiva appeared as a hunter and fought Arjuna to a draw. Impressed by his bravery, Shiva blessed him with the Pashupatastra.

Barbarik could end the war in one minute but his vow to support the weaker side would cause endless oscillation. Krishna asked for his head as sacrifice.

Destined to die at 16, young Markandeya clings to Shiva lingam as Yama approaches. Shiva emerges and defeats death itself, granting eternal youth. Devotion conquers destiny.

During ocean churning, deadly Halahala poison emerges, terrifying gods and demons. Shiva agrees to drink it for the welfare of all worlds. Parvati presses his throat to prevent the poison from descending, turning his throat blue - earning him the name Nilakantha.

Sati marries Shiva despite father Daksha's disapproval. When Daksha insults Shiva at his yajna, Sati immolates herself through yogic fire. Her death triggers cosmic chaos as Shiva's attendants attack, leading to Daksha's punishment and establishing Shakti Peethas.

Young disciple Upamanyu undergoes extreme penance for Shiva. When tested with offers of worldly boons, he refuses everything except direct vision of Shiva. Pure devotion without material desires.

Demon Tarakasura receives a boon that only Shiva's son can slay him. Six divine sparks from Shiva form six babies raised by the Krittikas. Parvati merges them into six-headed Kartikeya, who leads the gods' army and defeats Tarakasura, restoring cosmic order.

When Brahma and Vishnu argue over who is supreme, a blazing pillar of light appears. Brahma flies up as a swan, Vishnu digs down as a boar - neither finds the end. Shiva reveals himself as the infinite reality beyond all forms.

King Bhagiratha performs intense penance to bring the river Ganga to earth to liberate his ancestors. Shiva catches Ganga in his matted locks to prevent her from destroying the earth.

The demon Jalandhara, born from Shivas anger, becomes invincible because his wife Vrindas chastity protects him. Vishnu breaks her chastity in disguise, allowing Shiva to finally defeat the demon.

Born destined to die at 16, Markandeya clung to the Shiva Lingam chanting Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. When Yamas noose accidentally caught the lingam, Shiva emerged in fury, defeated Death, and granted Markandeya eternal youth.

When ash-smeared Shiva arrived for his wedding with ghosts and serpents, Parvatis mother fainted. To calm her parents and harmonize the union, Parvati transformed into Chandraghanta, adorning a crescent moon bell on her forehead whose soothing resonance reassured everyone present.

When Vishnu dismembered Satis corpse, her yoni fell at Nilachal hill in Assam - the most sacred Shakti Peetha. The demon Narakasura tried to marry her; she challenged him to build a staircase before dawn and tricked him by making a cock crow early.

When Sati wanted to attend Dakshas yajna against Shivas wishes, she revealed her cosmic nature. As Shiva tried to flee in different directions, she multiplied into ten terrifying forms blocking all ten cardinal directions, compelling him to yield.

After Vishnu and Shiva embrace, Shiva expounds 11 chapters on Advaita Vedanta, the nature of Atman and Brahman, linga worship, and eight-fold yoga - a Shaiva adaptation of the Bhagavad Gitas format.

Lord Shivas grand procession to marry Parvati features a vast army of divine attendants, with Gana leaders commanding forces numbering in crores. The procession includes Candi riding a ghost, Vishnu on Garuda, Indra on Airavata, Brahma, Gandharvas, and celestial maidens. All realms participate in this cosmic celebration of the sacred union.

Sage Vasugupta received a divine dream directing him to a rock on Mount Mahadeva. Upon touching it, he found 77 Shiva Sutras inscribed - the foundational aphorisms of Kashmir Shaivism. The rock is still visited by devotees.

After being insulted at her father Dakshas sacrifice where Shiva was not invited, Sati resolved to end her life rather than endure further humiliation. Using yogic techniques, she controlled her vital energies and burned her body through internal fire. Her death caused Shivas attendants to attack the sacrifice and set off cosmic destruction.

The Kashi Khanda describes the sacred geography of Varanasi, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Manikarnika Ghat. It details 56 forms of Ganesha arranged in a seven-layered spiral and the spiritual benefits of pilgrimage there, promising prosperity, longevity, and liberation to devotees.

Emperor Raja Raja Chola I was inspired to build a grand monument celebrating both military victories and devotion to Lord Shiva. Constructed between 1003-1010 CE by architect Kunjara Mallan, the king called it Dakshina Meru (Southern Kailash). The temple represents the pinnacle of Chola architecture and the might of the Chola Empire.