Many stories and anecdotes to Lord Shiva are mentioned in Shiva Purana. Among those stories, there is also a story to the name Kritivaseshwar of Lord Shiva. The word Kritivas means one who wears elephant skin. According to the story of Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva got this name after killing Gajasur. Gajasura was a demon who regularly performed rigorous penance to get the blessings of the Gods and Goddesses. When he got God’s blessings, he created an uproar in all three worlds.

The entire story of Gajasura’s evil deeds and his killing is told in Shiv Purana. Pleased with Gajasur’s penance, Lord Brahma gave him a boon. After this, Gajasura committed grave injustice and sinful acts, due to which Lord Shiva killed him. Now the question arises that why did Lord Shiva get a new name because of Gajasur?

Why did Gajasur do penance?

According to the story of Shiv Purana, Gajasur’s father was Mahishasur, who was very powerful and majestic. He was killed to protect the gods. When Gajasura came to know about the killing of his father, he was extremely saddened. At the same time he also got very angry. After this he started rigorous penance to Brahma Dev to avenge his father’s death.
Even after doing severe penance, Lord Brahma did not appear before him. Despite this, Gajasur continued his penance. Seeing his harsh penance, Agni Dev became worried. He requested Brahma Dev to go to Gajasura. Following the advice of Agni Dev, Brahma Dev appeared before Gajasura and asked him to ask for a boon. Then Gajasura asked Brahma Dev for the boon of being invincible and very powerful. Lord Brahma gave him this blessing and left from there.

Committed many sins in pride of blessing

When Gajasura got blessings from God, he became proud of his power. He created an uproar not only in the earth but also in all the three worlds. The gods, goddesses and common people all became upset due to his atrocities. Once Gajasur reached Kashi and started harassing the people there. The people of Kashi worshiped Lord Shiva and prayed for freedom from the atrocities of Gajasur. After this Lord Shiva killed Gajasura to protect the people.

Lord Shiva was named Kritivaseshwar.

When Lord Shiva appeared in front of Gajasur in the form of Vishwanath of Kashi, there was a war between the two. Meanwhile, when Lord Shiva raised his weapon, Gajasura started worshiping him instead of fighting. Lord Shiva became pleased after seeing his devotion.

Then Gajasura said, ‘O Lord Shiva, if you are pleased with me then fulfill my last wish.’ Expressing his last wish, Gajasura said that ‘You should wear the skin of my body, so that your name becomes famous as Kritivas i.e. Kritivaseshwar.’ Lord Shiva accepted his last wish and assumed the skin of Gajasura. Since then Lord Shiva is also worshiped by the name Kritivaseshwar.