Ten Avataras of Shiva

Nandishvara said

Hear of Girisha's first ten avataras, Mahakala foremost. Devotees worship them by the methods described in the texts on worship. The first is Mahakala, giving enjoyment and liberation to the virtuous, and the Shakti there is Mahakali, granting devotees the fruits they want. The second is named Tara and the Shakti is Taraa, and both give enjoyment, liberation and happiness to those who serve them. The third avatara, of Bhuvanesha, is described as Bala, and the Bhuvaneshi Shakti there is Balaa, giving the virtuous happiness. The fourth is Shrividyesha Shodasha, and Shivaa there is Shrividya Shodashi, and as fruits they give devotees happiness, enjoyment and liberation. The fifth is Bhairava, always granting devotees what they desire, and Girija there is Bhairavi, granting virtuous worshippers whatever they wish. Shiva's sixth avatara is Chinnamastaka, and Girija as Chinnamastaka grants devotees what they desire. Shambhu's seventh avatara is Dhumavat, granting every wish as fruit, and Shivaa there is Dhumavati. Shiva's eighth is Bagalamukha, source of happiness, and the Shakti there is Bagalamukhi, source of great bliss. His ninth is Matanga, and as Matangi Sharvani grants everything desired. Shambhu's tenth is Kamala, giving enjoyment and liberation as fruits, and Girija is Kamalaa there and protects her own devotees. These ten avataras of Shiva bring happiness and always give virtuous devotees enjoyment and liberation, and the ten avataras of great-souled Shankara give diverse kinds of happiness to those who constantly serve them without fault. Nandi said he had described their greatness and that, as described in the tantra texts and elsewhere, they yield everything wished for. The greatness of the Shaktis is also wonderful, and those too yield what is wished for. It is held that these Shaktis are supreme in slaying enemies and other tasks, that they always punish the crooked and increase the energy of brahman. He had thus described the ten auspicious avataras of Mahesha, Mahakala first, with their Shaktis. A person who with great devotion studies this auspicious, unblemished account at all of Shiva's festivals is greatly loved by Shambhu. Brahmanas gain the energy of brahman, kshatriyas win, vaishyas gain wealth and shudras gain happiness. Those who follow Shankara's dharma listen to this account, are happy and become especially devoted to Shiva.