N I L K A N T H

N I L K A N T H According to the Puranas, Shiva received this name as he drank the poison that emerged from the oceans after it was churned (Samudra Manthan) for getting 'amrut' - the nectar of immortality. With his yogic powers, he stopped the poison in his throat, preventing it from going any further and harming his body. But the poison did turn his neck blue, so he has been known as Nilkanth - the Blue-Necked one.