As mentioned in Linga Puran, once Lord Brahma asked Lord Shiva as to why he never reincarnated in a human form that involved him living among human relations, like Lord Vishnu? Lord Shiva in all his calmness replied, “Not once, but many a time I have taken the required avatar for the advantage of humankind.”

Even though, there’s no significant evidence to prove these claims, but it is believed that Lord Shiva did appear not once but under 28 dwapars. Following are the excerpts from Linga Purana, where Lord Shiva explains all his avatars.

“I shall incarnate as Shwet-Mahamuni during first Dwapar Yuga of Vaivaswat manvantar. My abode shell is at Chhogal peak of Himalaya mountain. I shall have four disciples who will be proficient in the Vedas.”

“I will incarnate as Sutar during second dwapar. At that time, Saddyojat Prajapati will be holding he post of Vyasa.I will have four sons- Dundubhi, Shataroopa, Richika and Keluma.”

“During third dwapar and at the time when Sage Bhargav will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Daman. I will have four sons- Vikrosh, Vikesh, Vipash and Papnashak.”

“During fourth dwapar and at the time when Sage Angira will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Suhotra. I will have four sons- Sumukh, Durmukh, Durdhar and Duratikram.”

“I will take incarnation as Kank during fifth dwapar and at the time when Sage Savita will be fulfilling the obligations of Vyasa; I will have four sons- Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan and Sanatkumar.”

“During Sixth dwapar, I will take incarnation as Laugakshi. At that time Sage Mrityu will be holding the post of Vyasa. My sons will be Sudhama, Viraja, Shankh and Padraj.”

“Sage Shataritu will act as Vyasa during Seventh dwapar. I will have four sons- Saraswat, Megh, Meghvah and Suvahan.”

“Sage Vashishtha will be the Vyasa during eighth dwapar. I will take incarnation as Dadhivahan. My sons will be- Kapila, Asuri, Panch, Shikhomuni and Vashkal.”

“Sage Saraswat will act as Vyasa during nineth dwapar. I will take incarnation as Rishabh. I will have four sons-Parashar, Garg, Bhargav and Angiras.”

“The 10th dwapar will see Tripad fulfilling the duties of Vyasa. I will incarnate as Bhavita Muni. I will have four sons-Bala, Bandhu, Niramitra and Ketu.”

“Sage Trivat will be the Vyasa during 11th dwapar. I will take incarnation as Ugra. My sons will be- Lambodar, Lambaksha and Lambakesh.”

“Sage Shatateja will perform the duties of Vyasa during 12th dwapar. I will have four sons- Sarvagya, Sambuddhi, Sadhya and Sarva.”

“Dharma will be the Vyasa during 13th dwapar. I will take incarnation as Bali and live at the hermitage of the Balkhilya. I will have four sons- Sudhama, Kashyapa, Vashishtha and Viraja.”

“In the 14th dwapar, I will be born as sage Gautama and the responsibilities of Vyasa would be fulfilled by Sage Tarakashu. In this avatar I will have four sons- Atri, Devarudra, Shravana & Srivishthak.”

“Sage Traiyyaruni will obligate the duties of Vyasa and I will re-incarnate as Vedshira in the 15th dwapar. My sons would be named- Kuni, Kunibahu, Kusharir & Kunetrak.”

“Sage Deva will perform the duties of Vyasa during 16th dwapar. And, I will be Gokarn and would have four sons-Kashyao, Shukracharya, Chyavn & Brihaspati.”

“The 17th dwapar will see Kritanjay fulfilling the duties of Vyasa. I will incarnate as Guhavasi. I will have four sons-Utathya, Vamadev, Mahayoga & Mahabal.”

“During 18th dwapar and at the time when Sage Ritanjay will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Shikhani. I will have four sons- Vachashrava, Richik, Shyavasva & Yatishwar.”

“I will take incarnation as Jatamali during 19h dwapar and at the time when Sage Bhardwaj will be fulfilling the obligations of Vyasa; I will have four sons- Hiranyabh, Kaushal, Laungaksi & Kuthumi.”

“Sage Gautam will perform the duties of Vyasa during 20th dwapar, and I will re-incarnate as Attahas. I will have four sons- Sumantu, Varvari, Kavand & Kushi Kandar.”

“During the 21st dwapar, where I will incarnate as Daruko, sage Vachashrava will disembark on the journey of fulfilling the duties of Vyasa. My four sons would be- Ramapksoda, Bhayani, Ketuman & Gautam.”

“During 22nd dwapar and at the time when Sage Shushmayan will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Langli Bheem. I will have four sons- Dharmik, Mahayotri, Bhallavi, Madhupinga,Shwetu, Ketu & Kush.”

“Trinabindu will be the Vyasa during 23rd dwapar. I will take incarnation as Kalanjar. I will have four sons- Ushik, Vrihadashva, Deval & Kavirevach.”

“When 24th dwapar would begin, I will re-incarnate as Shooli, while Vyasa’s duties would be fulfilled by Riksha. I will have four sons- Salihotra, Agnivesh, Unasva & Sharadvasu.”

“I will incarnate as Dandi-Mundishvar during the 25th dwapar. At that time, Shakti will be holding he post of Vyasa. I will have four sons- Chhagal, Kundak, Kumbhand & Prawahaj.”