There is a significant difference between Lord Shiva and Shankar. Do you know the difference between them?

 

Lord Shiva has many names, and one of them is 'Shankar'. Most people think that Mahadev is called Shankar because of some special nature or characteristic, but that's not the case. There is a significant difference between the names 'Shiv' and 'Shankar', and let's understand what this difference is.

We call Lord Shiva by many names such as Mahadev, Bholenath, Adidev, Devadhidev, and so on. Lord Shiva is depicted with matted hair, accompanied by serpents, holding a trident, wearing animal skin, and carrying the river Ganga. He is often portrayed as a yogi or ascetic. Based on these qualities, he has been given many names, but there is a special reason why he is called Shankar.

According to the Shiva Purana, when Mahadev came into existence, he did not appear in a physical form initially; instead, the creation of the universe began with the emergence of a ball of light. Brahma and Vishnu also originated from this ball of light. It is said that there was no other source or end to that ball of light. Brahma and Vishnu made numerous attempts to find its source or end but failed. According to the story, Brahma eventually asked the ball of light, 'Who are you?' and the ball of light replied, 'I am Shiva.' Upon hearing this response, Brahma expressed his desire to see the ball of light in a physical form. It was only then that the ball of light manifested into a physical form, and that form of Lord Shiva is known as Lord Shankar. Lord Shiva and Shankar are both parts of the same power, but one is formless, and the other is in a manifest form. Shiva resides in the abode of Brahmaloka, while Shankar resides in the subtle realm.

As a deity in a manifest form, Lord Shankar is depicted as the embodiment of unparalleled and infinite knowledge. He is shown meditating on high mountains or sitting in a yogic posture with closed eyes. On the other hand, Shiva is the form of the ball of light that we worship in the form of the Shiva Linga. Both Lord Shiva and Shankar worship the formless Shiva in the form of the Shiva Linga because Shiva is the source of all. Shankar has a nature, body, characteristics, family, and transformations, while Shiva is formless, detached, and the eternal light. In this way, even though Shiva and Shankar are one, they are also different. The glory, energy, and power of Lord Shiva in his formless form are more influential than Lord Shankar, which is why the entire universe, along with the Trimurti and all the gods, worship him.