Nilakanta (Sanskrit: नीलकण्ठ, romanized: Nīlakaṇṭha, lit. 'blue throat') is one of the epithets of the Hindu deity Shiva.[1]
Legend
editAccording to Hindu mythology, Shiva gained this epithet when he consumed the kalakuta (poison) that emerged from Samudra Manthana, which rendered his throat blue.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hatcher, Brian A. (2020-03-10). Hinduism Before Reform. Harvard University Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-674-24711-6.
- ^ Gupta, Ravi; Valpey, Kenneth (2013-03-26). The Bhagavata Purana: Sacred Text and Living Tradition. Columbia University Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-231-14999-0.