Actually, Lord Shiva Is Called “Bholenath” Mostly in North India and Rarely in South India. The Term “Bholenath” means “The Innocent One” or “Simpleton”. There're Lot of Stories in different Scriptures About How Lord Shiva Got This Name.
Here's the One :
Shiva Who Doesn't Know the Worldly Affairs. Shiva doesn't seek to defy or deny the value of Cultural Rules, Rites, and Rituals. He is Simply Ignorant of them. He is not a Rebel; He is Simple and Pure. This is most Evident during the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
Parvati insists that Shiva come to her house Like a Groom and ask her father for her hand in marriage. When her mother, Mena, and her sisters, Step out to Welcome the groom, the sight that awaits them horrifies them. Unlike normal grooms who come on a mare, Shiva comes on a bull. Instead of Being Draped in fine cloth and Sandal paste, He Comes Wrapped in animal hide and smeared with ash. Instead of Garlands around his neck, he has serpents. Instead of bearing a sword, he holds in his hands a Trident. Music is created not by flutes but by Rattle-drums. His attendant's demons and Ghosts and Goblins and witches, Ganas and Pramathas and Yakshas and Bhutas. Parvati's Family got disgusted by Shiva's Uncouth form. Parvati's Sisters and Aunts make fun of her. Parvati's father Himavan, Cannot Understand her daughter's choice of husband. He is a barbarian, a wild, uncouth hermit. The Goddess Realizes the tension between her family and her groom. She goes to Shiva and falls at his feet and Prays to him, ‘They're not enlightened enough to understand who you are. But you are Enlightened enough to understand where they come from. So only you can salvage this situation. Behave as they wish you to. Indulge them so that they acknowledge and accommodate you. Only when you Engage with them will they eventually realize who you are.
And so, Shiva, Touched by Parvati's Sensitivity to him and her family, decides to indulge the world. He transforms into Soma-Sundara, the one who is as beautiful as the moon. Stripped of the snakes and the animal hide, smeared with perfumes with the silks, he is the most handsome man anyone has ever seen, graceful and lithe, Regal in bearing. In this form, he asks the King of the mountains for Parvati's hand in marriage. It is Given. Everyone rejoices at the wedding of Shiva and Shakti. It is the one Occasion Where Eternal Enemies, Asuras, and Devas, Danced together.
Om Namah Shivaya.
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