How many incarnations did Lord Shiva take?

 Lord Shiva in total has 84 incarnations as per Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Shaiva Siddhanta, and the Shaiva itihasa, known as Shivarahasya. Therefore in any city of Lord Shiva such as Ujjain, Varanasi, Kathmandu, or Kanchipuram (Kashi of the South), 84 ghats are present upon the banks of the sacred river flowing through that city.

• 28 Rajasic incarnations: Lord Shiva did pastimes with various deities in these 28 incarnations, therefore Lord Shiva is also known as Devadideva, lord of the deities.
• Mahesha (also known as Maheshwara, pastimes with various deities, glory described in Maheshwara Khanda of Skanda Purana)
• Sunartaka (Nataraja, bewildered everyone with his divine blissful anandadayi dance, personalities such as Himalaya, Menaka, Durga i.e. daughter of Menaka, Brahma, Lord Vishnu, all the parshadas of Himalaya, all the divine sages including Narada, in the durbar of Himalaya, therefore Lord Shiva being Ishwara can bewilder anyone)
• Avadhuta (the chastisement of Indra deva)
• Pippalada (the chastisement of Shani deva)
• Sureshwara (the pastime with Upamanyu, Indra deva, and the deities)
• Devaraja (pastimes with Yama dutas and the brahmanical cult)
• Jatila (pastimes with the hermits in the Himalayas)
• King Madhata (the sovereign of bharat varsha, who ruled from Omkareshwar, glory described in Reva/Narmada Khanda of Skanda Purana)
• Dwijeshwara (the divine tiger form, the test and liberation of Bhadrayu & Kirtimalini in Anandavana)
• Bhikshuvarya (the rescue of Satyaratha)
• Sadhudwija (the test of Durga i.e. daughter of Himalaya and Menaka)
• Baidyanatha (the destruction of Ravana's arrogance)
• Krishnadarshana (the preaching of Raja Dharma to prince Nabhaga)
• Parashara (the father of Vyasa)
• Atharva (the sage of Atharva Veda)
• Ribhu (the composer of Shiva Rahasya, the itihasa dealing with Lord Shiva's pastimes in the spiritual abode Anandavana)
• Ushana (sage Ushana, the pastimes mentioned in Ausunasa Purana)
• Dakshina (the preacher of Ishwara Gita in Naimisharanya, Lord Shiva in this form declared that he is the supreme lord Ishwara and the sovereign of the creation)
• Kala (the consort of Kali)
• Tar (the consort of Tara)
• Shodash (the consort of Shodashi)
• Bhuvaneshwar (the consort of Bhuvaneshwari)
• Chinnamastaka (the consort of Chinnamasta)
• Bhairava (the consort of Bhairavi)
• Dhumavata (the consort of Dhumavati)
• Bagalamukha (the consort of Bagalamukhi)
• Matanga (the consort of Matangi)
• Kamal (the consort of Kamala)
• 28 Sattvik incarnations: Lord Shiva did these 28 pastimes mainly in spiritual Anandavana, the holy abode, also known as Varanasi, with his divine consort Durga (Shakti), along with Brahma (Brahman) and Vishnu (Bhagavan), hence Lord Shiva is also known as Ishwara (the highest deity), the one above OM (Brahma) and the origin of OM (Vishnu/father of Brahma).
• Adipurush (Ishwara, the primordial lord), the pastimes mentioned in Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana, the lord of Anandavana
• Sadyojata (first expansion)
• Vamadeva (second expansion)
• Ishana (third expansion)
• Aghora (fourth expansion)
• Tatpurusha (fifth and final expansion)
• Sarva (first cosmic body)
• Bhava (second cosmic body)
• Rudra (third cosmic body)
• Ugra (fourth cosmic body)
• Bhima (fifth cosmic body)
• Pashupati (sixth cosmic body)
• Isha (seventh cosmic body)
• Mahadeva (this form of Lord Shiva stays in Kailasha, the final & eighth cosmic body, the pastimes with deities and various species, the pastimes described in Kailasha Samhita of Shiva Purana)
• Ardhanarishwara/half Shiva half Shakti (the bewilderment of Brahma/Brahma Vimohana Leela, Brahma after beholding this divine Shaiva form started the process of creation)
• Grihapati (the vigraha/idol from of Shiva which resides in the abode of Himalaya and all the deities, the art form of Grihapati is depicted at the end of this answer)
• Vatuka (the divine child form of Shiva, equal to millions of cupids, pastimes as a child in the spiritual Anandavana dham)
• Kalabhairava (the chopping of Brahma's fifth head and destruction of Brahma's ego)
• Attahasa (the killing of Matsya incarnation)
• Ruru (the killing of Kurma incarnation)
• Mahakala (the killing of Varaha incarnation)
• Sharabha (the killing of Narasimha incarnation)
• Kankala (the killing of Vamana incarnation)
• Virabhadra (the killing of Yajnapurusha incarnation)
• Yaksheshwara (the chastisement of gods after Samudra manthan)
• Vrishabha (half man half bull incarnation of Shiva)
• Yati (the swan incarnation of Shiva)
• Nandishwara (the bull vehicle of Shiva, the final 28th of the Sattvik incarnations)
• 28 Tamasik incarnations: Lord Shiva did pastimes with sages, seers, various species, men, and the dark creatures of the underworld in these 28 incarnations.
• Shweta
• Sutara
• Damana
• Suhotra
• Kanka
• Lokakshi
• Yogisabha
• Dadhivahana
• Rishabha (the yogi form of Shiva who expanded the art of yoga)
• Bhringa
• Kali (a divine form of Shiva, not Goddess Kali)
• Puru
• Bali (not demon king Bali)
• Gautama
• Vedashiras
• Gokarna
• Guhavasi
• Shikhandi (not Shikhandi of Mahabharata)
• Jatimali
• Atta
• Dvaruka (the founder of Dvarukavana, present day Nageshwara Jyotirlinga of Gujarat)
• Langali (the founder of modern city of Varanasi)
• Kalanjara
• Shuli
• Mundishwara
• Sahishnu
• Somnath (the founder of Prabhasa Kshetra, modern day shoreline of Gujarat, the glory mentioned in Prabhasa Khanda of Skanda Purana)
• Lakulisha (the reviver of Shaivism in Kali Yuga, born in Kayavarohan, modern day Gujarat, founder of Lakulisha Shaivism)

These are the complete list of 84 divine incarnations of Lord Shiva as per the Sanatana scriptures.

Image courtesy : Google

Who is Lord Dattatreya?

Guru : Lord Dattatreya is known as Jagatguru (universal guide)

Learning :Interestingly, he learnt 24 lessons from 24 different teachers.

These teachers were planets ; five natural elements ; human beings ; birds and reptiles.

Well, he leant from sun ; moon, earth, air, sky, water, fire, pigeon, python, sea, moth, bee, elephant, deer, fish, bird, snake, spider), Pingala, child, maiden, arrow-maker.

He adored them as his spiritual guide.

Trinity: Lord Dattatreya represents Lord Brahma ; Sri Hari and Mahadev.

Living : Ardent devotees believe, Lord Dattattreya is ever living and roams around the world.

Girnar : Many yogis believe that he lives in hills of Girnar in Gujarat.

Juna Akhara : Lord Dattatreya is Ishta (personal deity) of Juna Akhara, the largest Hindu monastic sect.

Simple : Guru Dattatreya is known as the epitome of humility; selflessness and wisdom.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Sri Gurudev Dutt Jai Sita Ram Narayan Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Shiv Shambo Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai !

Pic Credits : Google Images/ Web

Why is Lord Narasimha considered the most powerful avatar of Vishnu?

Don’t treat Lord Vishnu avatars like Marvel cinematic universe characters. All Vishnu avatars are powerful in their own way, including Vaman Avatar.

A dwarf measures the whole universe in two steps, isn’t it powerful?

Rama leaves luxurious life and goes to forest for 14 years, if this is not powerful then what it is?

Krishna influenced the outcome of Mahabharata war without lifting a weapon, is it not the power at its peak?

Each avatar of Bagwaan Vishnu, including Narashima avatar, was powerful.

Who were the individual enemies killed by Lord Krishna?

 Lord Krishna slayed many wicked demons and kings. Here are the most famous ones mentioned in Mahabharata and Harivamsa.

Putana

Bhoja Kamsa’s nursemaid was known by the name of Putana. She was seen in the middle of the night, in the form of a bird. She roared repeatedly, in a voice that was like that of a tiger. Her breasts flowing with milk, she stood on the axle of the cart. While people slept in the night, she offered her breasts to Krishna. Krishna sucked on her breast and sucked out her life too. With her breast torn out, she screamed. The bird suddenly fell down on the ground.

• 50, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Arishta

In the encounter, Krishna and the bull sought to counter each other. It was as if two quivering clouds had clashed against each other. He destroyed the insolence of his strength. He kicked him between the horns with his feet. He squeezed Arishta’s throat, as if it was a wet cloth. He uprooted the left horn, which was like Yama’s staff. He then struck him on the face. Severely struck, he died. His horns were shattered and his bones were broken. The danava’s shoulder buckled. Vomiting blood, he fell down, like a cloud releasing water.

• 64, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Keshi

Keshi, supreme among horses, engaged with Krishna. Using his front legs, he struck Krishna on the chest. Using his hooves, the powerful one repeatedly struck him on the sides.

As they engaged, the powerful and infinitely valorous Krishna also became angry. Using his hand, he struck him in the mouth. He was incapable of biting the hand, or withstanding the blow. His teeth were broken and torn from their foundations and he started to vomit frothy blood. His teeth were uprooted, his lips mangled and his throat choked.

Having brought about the destruction of Keshi and divided his body into two in the encounter, the lotus-eyed Krishna stood there, smiling.

• 67, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Chanura

Devaki’s son played with Chanura for a long time. But on discerning Kamsa’s sentiments, he summoned up all his strength. The earth trembled. The arena started to move around. The best of gems fell down from Kamsa’s crown. Chanura had already lived his life. With his arms, Krishna bent him. He struck him on the head with his fist and on the chest with his knee. Tears and blood flowed from his eyes and his eyeballs emerged from their sockets, hanging like bells from a seat on an elephant. With his eyes gouged out, he fell down in the middle of the arena. Bereft of life and with his lifespan over, Chanura lay down on the ground.

• 75, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Kamsa

In the midst of that assembly in the arena, Krishna used his arms, which were like clubs, and seized Kamsa by the hair on his head. The crown, decorated with gold and diamonds, fell down. His head was seized by Krishna’s hands. With the hair grasped by the hands, Kamsa was unable to make any efforts.

The immensely radiant king of Bhoja was thus dragged by Krishna along that arena. As his body was dragged along, potholes were created there. In that arena, Krishna played around and dragged him along. When he had lost his life, Krishna flung Kamsa’s body a long distance away.

• 76, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Narakasura

Naraka, who terrified large numbers of gods, fought with Purushottama, as if he was the energetic Madhu’ fighting with Madhusudana. Madhusudana fought with Naraka for some time. After this, using his blazing and fierce chakra, he severed him into two. Divided into two parts by the chakra, his body fell down on the ground. Like the summit of a mountain, it was severed into two parts by the chakra.

• 91, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Shishupala

When he was talking in this way, the illustrious Madhusudana, the destroyer of his enemies, angrily sliced off his head with the chakra. The mighty-armed one fell down like a mountain struck by the vajra.

• 42, Shishupala Vadha parva, Mahabharata.

Shalva

When Soubha fell down, the chakra returned to my hand. I took it up once more and hurled it, saying, "Go to Shalva." Shalva was about to hurl a giant club in that great battle. The chakra suddenly blazed up with its energy and cut him into two. When that brave one was killed, the danavas were frightened and lost their senses. Chased by my arrows, they lamented and fled towards.

• 23, Kairata Parva, Mahabharata.

Ekalavya

He was challenged by Ekalavya, the king of Nishadha, who was thought to be invincible. But Krishna killed him and robbed him of his life, forcefully smashing him against a rock, like Jambha.

• 47, Yana Sandhi parva, Mahabharata.

How is Lord Shiva born?

 Shiva was born from the rage of Narayana!!!

When Brahma's night wore off, through the grace of that Being of immeasurable energy, a lotus made its appearance first, O thou of eyes like lotus petals. Within that lotus was born Brahma, springing from Aniruddha's grace. Towards the evening of Brahma's day, Aniruddha became filled with wrath, and as a consequence of this, there sprang from his forehead a son called Rudra vested with the power of destroying everything (when the hour for destruction comes). These two, viz., Brahma and Rudra, are the foremost of all the deities, having sprung respectively from the Propitiousness and the Wrath (of Aniruddha). Acting according to Aniruddha's direction, these two deities create and destroy. Although capable of granting boons unto all creatures, they are, however, in the matter of the concerns to which they attend (viz., Creation and Destruction), merely instruments in the hands of Aniruddha.

-Mahabharata, Santi Parva, Chapter 342

And again Krishna says

That Being whom, at the time of all thy battles, thou beheldest stalking in thy van, know, O son of Kunti, is no other than Rudra, that god of gods, otherwise called by the name of Kaparddin. He is otherwise known by the name of Kala, and should be known as one that has sprung from my wrath. Those foes whom thou hast slain were all, in the first instance, slain by him.

-Mahabharata, Santi Parva, Chapter 344

Obeisance to Nārāyaṇa, who is pure and eternal. Obeisance to the Lord of all past, present and future, who is in the form of Lord Śiva and auspicious Lord, the origin of Lord Śiva, and the most worshipable of Lord Śiva. Obeisance to Sri Hari, who assumes the most terrible form to end the Kalpa, who is of universal form, Lord of the universe and the supreme soul.

-Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Chapter 13

You are the creator. You are the destroyer. You support the worlds. You are Kāla, the destroyer of all. All the clans of Devas were created by you alone, O God. You are the path of all the worlds. You are salvation, the greatest goal. Brahmā, the eternal one of the Rajas form is the Lord born from you. Rudra originating from (your) Krodha (Anger) is also so (born from you). You are established in Sattva. O Lord, the mobile and immobile beings have been created by you for the sake of sport.

-Skanda Purana, Reva Kanda, Chapter 20

May the Lord of unlimited glory be favourably disposed to us—the Lord from Whose strength was born the great Indra, from Whose grace the (various) gods; from Whose wrath sprang up god Śiva, the Lord of mountains; from Whose intellect came forth god Brahmā; from the appertures in Whose bodies were created the Vedas and the sages, and from whose generative organ, the god Prajāpati.

-Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Skanda 8, Chapter 5

So Shiva was born from the wrath of Vishnu.

What does Lord Krishna most like?

 A very pertinent Question, the answer to which should be known to all those who wish praying to Bhagwan Krishna. No other Deity is as simple to be reached as Him. Vishnu Sahastranam Maha Mantra, shlok 6 expounds on the ease of it :

“ यस्य स्मरणमात्रेण जन्मसंसारबन्धनात् । विमुच्यते नमस्तस्मै विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे “ ।।

“ By only remembrance of whom one gets free of worldly bonding of Birth-Rebirth, I perform Namaskar to that Vishnu, the God Vishnu “ Vishnu Sahastranam Sh.06

pics courtesy Google search - for indicative purpose only

Stuti is the one form of prayer that pleases Bhagwan Krishna the most. The wise, therefore, must pray to Him in this manner, deploying panchopchar (using or offering 5 ingredients) as the minimum. The other point to consider is that He gives in to devotion instantly. One should drop all inhibitions and pray to Him with open heart, performing the way preferred.

As can be seen that many of His followers tend to develop a bonding of Love for Bhagwan Krishna. There is actually a hidden chemistry behind this bonding : As much the devotee may feel himself falling in love for Bhagwan Achyut, in exactly same proportion Bhagwan Hrishikesh comes to like that devotee. The higher the level of love, greater becomes the number of occasions when Bhagwan Vasudev makes His devotee sit to pray for Him. More the prayers, greater the blessings. Further from here is what He is wanting me to say : “As many the remembrances of Him, Burning of Sin of the person are as many”.

Here, though a restricted matter to some extent, but still to elucidate that Human has no power to perform any Pujan to any Deity by his own resolve. If one is pondering upon doing some puja anushthan for any Deity and thereafter performs presuming that he has done it. Know, that his assumptions are highly misplaced. Man is no entity to decide on matters of Pujan.

Instead, one should know and realize, that it is the Deity who chooses the person to perform any Pujan for Himself. It is the Deity who creates the situation, implants the idea of Pujan in the devotee’s mind, makes his devotee to sit and perform the Pujan, then comes to receive the Pujan Himself and then blesses the devotee accordingly. And thus, duly blessed by the God concerned, devotee earns virtues making his journey worthy. This is the actual truth behind all the pujan that is done by everyone, irrespective of whatever Faith or religion one belongs to.

The wise, having realized this fact, should know himself as the chosen one by none other but Bhagwan Krishna, Himself. The intelligent one, therefore, feeling the great benevolence of the Supreme Soul as already bestowed upon him, should devote his utmost (sarvasva samarpayami - in Sanskrit) at the lotus feet of Bhagwan. For, there is nothing more or beyond Him.

Jai Jai Shri Hari

How did Lord Krishna revive Parikshit in Mahabharat?

 Lord Krishna saved Parikshit because he was not destined to die. Krishna does not interfere with destiny and hence he did not save Abhimanyu or Draupadi's sons. But Parikshit was destined to live and rule the Kurus for a long time.

Krishna challenges Ashwatthama that he will save Uttara’s son

Vasudeva replied, “This supreme weapon is invincible and will indeed descend. The foetus will be born dead. However, it will revive and live till a long age.

O extremely evil-minded one! That king will be known by the name of Parikshit. O worst of men! You will look on. Behold the power of my austerities, energy and truth.”

• 16, Aishika parva, Mahabharata.

When the Pandavas had went away to Himalayas to collect the hidden wealth of Marutta, Uttara gave birth to a dead child. Great lamentations happened in Hastinapura. Draupadi, Kunti, Subhadra and Uttara pleaded to Lord Krishna to save the child and the lord agreed.

Lord Krishna invoked various truths and withdrew the power of Brahmashira, allowing Parikshit to come back to life

Krishna touched water and withdrew brahmastra’s powers. Dasharha had promised that he would bring him back to life. The one with the pure soul spoke these words, so that the entire universe could hear. “O Uttara! I do not utter a falsehood. This will come true. While all the creatures look on, I will revive him. I have never spoken a lie earlier, not even in jest. Never have I retreated in battle. Therefore, he will come back to life. I love dharma and I specially love brahmanas. Abhimanyu’s son was born dead. But let him revive. There has never been a conflict between me and Vijaya. Through the virtue of that truth, let this dead child come back to life. Since truth and dharma have always been established in me, let this dead child come back to life. I killed Kamsa and Keshi by resorting to dharma. Because of that truth, let his child again come back to life.”

• 68, Ashwamedha parva, Mahabharata.

When Parikshit was brought back to life, everyone praised Krishna

‘Krishna thus withdrew the power of brahmastra and that room was illuminated through your father’s energy. All the rakshasas were rebuffed and forced to leave that house. An invisible voice was heard to speak in the firmament, “O Keshava! Excellent.” The blazing weapon returned to the grandfather. O lord of men! Your father again got back his life. Appropriate to its capacity and its strength, the child began to move. O king! At this, the Bharata women were delighted. On Govinda’s instructions, the brahmanas pronounced benedictions. Everyone was delighted and praised Janardana. The wives of the lions among the Bharatas were like those who acquire a boat and reach the shore. Kunti, Drupada’s daughter, Subhadra and Uttara and the wives of the other lions among men were cheerful in their minds. Wrestlers, actors, fighters, narrators, soukhashayikas and large numbers of bards and minstrels praised Janardana.

• 69, Ashwamedhika parva, Mahabharata.