There are many stories about the birth of Lord Shiva. According to Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva has been considered self-manifested. Everyone wants to know the story of Shiva’s birth.
According to Shrimad Bhagwat, once when Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, overwhelmed with ego, were fighting, claiming themselves to be the best, then with a burning pole, which could not be understood by either Brahma or Vishnu, and Lord Shiva appeared.
The story of Shiva’s birth described in the Vishnu Purana is perhaps the only description of Lord Shiva as a child. This story is very pleasing. According to which Brahma needed a child. He did penance for this. Then suddenly the child Shiva appeared crying in his lap. When Brahma asked the child the reason for crying, he innocently replied that his name is not ‘Brahma’ that’s why he is crying, then Brahma named Shiva as ‘Rudra’ which means ‘weeping’. Shiva did not remain silent even then. So Brahma gave him another name but Shiva did not like the name and still he did not remain silent. In this way, to silence Shiva, Brahma gave 8 names and Shiva came to be known by 8 names (Rudra, Sharva, Bhava, Ugra, Bhima, Pashupati, Ishaan and Mahadev). According to Shiva Purana these names were written on the earth.
There is also a legend of Vishnu Purana behind Shiva being born as the son of Brahma in this way. According to this, when the whole universe including earth, sky, underworld was submerged, then there was no god or creature except Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). Then only Vishnu was seen lying on his Sheshnag on the water surface. Then Brahma ji appeared from his navel on the lotus stem. When Brahma-Vishnu were talking about creation, Shiva appeared. Brahma refused to recognize him. Then fearing Shiva’s anger, Lord Vishnu reminded Brahma of Shiva by giving him divine vision.
Brahma realized his mistake and apologized to Shiva and asked him to bless him to be born as his son. Shiva accepted Brahma’s prayer and granted him this blessing. Later, after killing the Madhu-Katabh demons born from the dirt of Vishnu’s ear, when Brahma started the creation of the universe, he needed a child and then he noticed the blessings of Lord Shiva. So Brahma did penance and the child Shiva appeared in his lap in the form of a child.