SHIVA - How he got the name Chandrashekara?

 

 Shiva became Chandrashekara –

Daksha Prajapathi got married his 27 daughters Ashwini, Bharani, Kruttika, Rohini, Revathi etc., to Chandra.  But Chandra showed special care to Rohini amongst 27 wives.  (He did so because in this Nakshatra that Krishna would be born in Dwaparayuga.  So he showed special affection to Rohini).  

On seeing this other wives complained to his father Dakshaprajapathi that Chandra is not looking after all his wives equally.  Daksha, got angry, and cursed Chandra to have  ”kshaya” disease.  As such, Chandra affected by the disease, started losing his quality and deteriorated to a very very tiny size.  

Chandra went to Shiva and sought his assistance, who kept him on his head, so he became “Chandrashekara” and told him never to go out of his head. Chandra’s wives not finding Chandra anywhere, again pleaded his father, to search for their husband.  Not able to trace him, Daksha, came to know that Chandra was given refuge in Shiva’s head.  He asked Shiva to leave Chandra.  

But Shiva refused saying that once he gives protection, he can’t leave him.  They went to Srihari, who came in the disguise of a brahmachari and gave the pratibimba of Chandra to his wives.   The original Chandra was there on the head of Shiva only, the Chandra, which we are seeing on the sky, is the pratibimba (amsha of Chandra) which Srihari gave to us taking out of Shiva.

Gods have amshamshibhava.  So, one amsha of Chandra was taken out from Shiva and gave to Daksha prajapati.  Then only Chandra decided to do samsara with his 27 wives equally.  That is why we have one month called as Nakshatra Maasa.

(Source Brahma Vaivarthya Purana by Sri Vedavyasa Devaru)

Thanks - http://www.strangeronmyshelf.in/2011/02/some-unknown-facts-about-lord-shiva.html