Bholenath

[bhargavsai]

Shiva is called as "Bholenath"-The one who is easily pleased. Although some, take the meaning literally, but I feel that there is something deeper and philosophical meaning to this word.

What other meaning for this word my small mind has understood is:
Bholenath, means
Bhole- child like people
nath- refuge, lord
So Shiva is lord of pure/childlike people. Or It may mean Lord who is childlike and purity himself.

Can someone elaborate this word into deeper meaning.

[yajvan]

Hari Oṁ
~~~~~


Shiva is called as "Bholenath"-The one who is easily pleased. Although some, take the meaning literally, but I feel that there is something deeper and philosophical meaning to this word.

What other meaning for this word my small mind has understood is:
Bholenath, means
Bhole- child like people
nath- refuge, lord
So Shiva is lord of pure/childlike people. Or It may mean Lord who is childlike and purity himself. Can someone elaborate this word into deeper meaning.

Namaste bhargavsai,
Here is another view of this word. Bholenath or ~ Bholānātha:

We know bholānātha भोलानाथ is another name for Śiva. Lets take apart the word: bho+ lā + nātha .
nātha नाथ is a protector, possessor, owner, lord ; used as a noun we can apply it as refuge.
lā ला is the act of taking or giving; to begin, to undertake, to give.
Now the key to this wonderful name of Śiva IMHO resides in bho.
bhoga भोग is any winding or curve, coil of a serpent.
bhoga भोग - is also enjoying, experiencing, feeling , perception. Also associuated with the Moon, Chandra the part of the ecliptic occupied by each of the 27 lunar mansions , owned by Candra (Chandra) and what Śiva wears on his head.
bhogin भोगिन् is with windings or curves or rings , curved, ringed (as a serpent) ; also a King, hence;
bhogīndra भोगीन्द्र - Serpent King a.k.a. Ananta अनन्त- or Infinity i.e. endless, boundless, eternal, infinite.

So as I look at this word bho+ lā + nātha, it is He the protecter, the Lord (nātha) that gives out and takes in (lā) the Infinite (rooted in bhoga) and the final enjoyer ( i.e. the SELF)

Another view:
Bho or bhoḥ brings us to the word of O! or Hello! Or Hail ! or Alas!
If we chose this approach then it would be Hail to the Lord who is our refuge, that gives out and takes-in the Infinite.

I am not the final authority on this, but that is how I would view Bholānātha.


ॐ परमेश्वराय नमः
oṁ parameśvarāya namaḥ
We bow to parameśvarāya, the Supreme

pranams

[bhargavsai]

Very good definition Yajvan ji, thanks.

Pranams

Om Namaha Shivaya.