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Bholenath (or Bolenath, Bhole Nath) (Sanskrit: भोलेनाथ, Bhōlēnātha) - one of names of Hindu god Shiva. Translation of this name is a Lord (nātha) of simplicity and simple people (bhōlē).
Bholenath: The word ‘Bhola’ (Hindi) means – Innocent, simple, down to earth. Lord Shiva is called ‘ Bholenath’ because he is easily pleased and showers his blessings on his devotees without any complex rituals, he gives shelter to any devotee with sincere devotion and a clean heart. He can be pleased simply by doing a pooja with a kalash of water or placing Bilva leaves on a Shivling. Lord Ram is his sincere devotee and worships him reverently. Bholenath is one of the many names of Lord Shiva. another name is Mahadev 'the god of the gods'. Shiva has been worshiped since time immemorial, he is Mahakaal, ruler of time, lord of the universe.
Story
There is also an epic story, as to how Shiva got the name of Bholenath. The story is of a demon devotee of Shiva named Bhasmasura. He prayed to God Shiva, and pleaded with him to grant him a boon which would make him invincible. The boon was that anyone whose head he touched with his hand, should be reduced to Bhasma, Hindi word for ashes, and why he was so named, after that. Easy to please and thus called; Bholenath, granted him the boon, and risked himself to the greed for power on Devaloka, by the Asuras, as Bhasmasura after receiving the boon, ran after God Shiva, to reduce him to ashes, by placing his hand on his head. Shiva approached God Vishnu for help, who took the Avatar of Mohini, to vanquish the demon.
Shiva is the divine omniscient Yogi, leading an ascetic life who is devoid of worldly ways, and thus is simple. He also bestows all his riches to Prakṛti and his celestial wife Shakti.
