Why is Lord Shiv called Neelkanth?

Among Lord Shiva's numerous strong names, Neelkanth deserves special note. The tale related with this name is inspirational.

Samudra Manthan

The story of Samudra Manthan begins with the Devas and Asuras joining forces to churn the ocean of milk using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vasuki, the king of serpents, as the rope. The process was long and arduous, and several treasures emerged from the ocean, such as the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, and the celestial Apsaras.

However, the emergence of the Halahal poison threatened to destroy the universe. The poison was so toxic that it could not be contained or destroyed, and its fumes began to spread throughout the universe. The Devas and Asuras realized that the poison needed to be consumed, but no one was willing to take on such a dangerous task.

Seeing the danger that the poison posed to the universe, Lord Shiva volunteered to drink the poison. He consumed the poison, but it got stuck in his throat, turning it blue and giving him the name Neelkanth. The blue color of Lord Shiva's throat is said to represent the depth of the ocean and the vast expanse of the sky.

The color blue holds significant spiritual significance in Hinduism. It represents infinity, the vast expanse of the sky, and the depth of the ocean. It is also associated with the third eye chakra, which is believed to be the center of spiritual insight and intuition.

Lord Shiva's blue neck is thus a symbol of his immense spiritual strength, his ability to withstand the most challenging situations, and his willingness to take on the burdens of the universe for the greater good. It represents his selfless nature and his ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.