He was one of the eleven Rudras, who were born to Sthāṇudeva, the son of Brahmā. The eleven Rudras are:-- 1. Mṛgavyādha 7. Dahana 2. Nirṛti 8. Īśvara 3. Ahirbudhnya 9. Kapāli 4. Pināki 10. Bharga 5. Sarpa 11. Sthāṇu. 6. Ajaikapāt [M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter 66, Verse 2] .
Note: **) The names of the Eleven Rudras given in the
[Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Part I, Chapter 5] are: Hara, Bahurūpa, Tryambaka, Aparājita Vṛṣākapi, Śambhu, Kapardi, Raivata, Mṛgavyādha, Śarva, Kapāli. A total number of 100 Rudras are mentioned in the Purāṇas.]