Pippalada Avatar: Avatar Of Siva

Shiva is one of the principal deities in the Trimurti, also known as the Destroyer or Dissolver. His role in Hindu cosmology is very important, as he destroys evil and illusion, and facilitates the cycles of creation and destruction in the universe. The story of Pippalada, the Avatar of Lord Shiva, is described in the Saturudra Samhita of the Shiva Purana. It says that in each Yuga cycle, Shiva incarnates as four sons or disciples. Pippalada is one such incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Here is where the story begins...

Suvarcas Climbs on a Pyre and Listens to Heavenly Voices (Source: Private Collection)

Pippalada is described as the son of the sage Dadhichi and his wife, Suvarcas. After Dadhichi's death, when Suvarcas was about to climb onto the high funeral pyre and at that very moment, he heard the divine voice (aśarīriṇī vāṇī) telling him that Dadhichi was pregnant.

Pipplada Who Was Born and Abandoned Beside a Pipal Tree (Source: Private Collection)

and at that moment Suvarcas removed the fetus from her womb with a stone that was around her and placed the baby right near the banyan tree, then at that moment Suvarcas ended her life. Pippalada, after his birth, was left under a pipal tree with no one to care for him at all since he was little.

Pipplada Weeps and Lord Vishnu Feeds and Protects (Source: Private Collection)

Hearing the baby crying under the pipal tree—who was the avatar—Lord Vishnu nourished and protected the baby from harm, thanks to the blessings of Devi Annapurna.Pippalada grew up to be a great sage, supported by the amrita provided near the tree by Chandra.Years passed, and as the child grew, Pippalada was taught by the tree, which made him aware of the surrounding world. It was during this time that Sage Narada came by and, seeing Pippalada, asked if he was his father.Sage Narada replied negatively and narrated to Pippalada the entire story of how his parents had to leave the world, explaining that it all happened because of Lord Shani. Enraged, Pippalada took a branch of the tree and resolved to teach Shani Deva a lesson. Although young, Pippalada overcame various obstacles and eventually reached the planet of Shani. Pippalada then fought and managed to defeat Shani Deva. Other deities pleaded with Pippalada to forgive Shani Deva. Pippalada agreed, but imposed certain restrictions on Shani Deva as punishment. These restrictions included: Shani Deva would not affect children under the age of 17; the influence of Shani would last only 18 years and would occur only once every 30 years; Shani would not affect those who faithfully follow dharma but would bless them instead; Shani Deva would also stay away from those who pray to Lord Shiva, help others, donate to those in need, and feed cows. Therefore, worshipping the Pippalada avatar of Lord Shiva helps to alleviate the sins associated with Shani Deva.