Bholanatha (Sanskrit: भोलानाथ, romanized: Bholānātha), popularly rendered as Bholenath due to Hindi influence, is an epithet of the Hindu deity Shiva. The term combines bholā, meaning innocence or simplicity, with nātha, meaning lord, and is generally translated as "lord of innocence".
The epithet reflects a devotional understanding of Shiva within Hindu traditions as a deity associated with simplicity, guilelessness, and an unassuming nature. By naming him the lord of innocence, devotees emphasise this aspect of his character alongside his many other roles and attributes within the wider Shaiva tradition.
The form "Bholenath" is widely used in Hindi-speaking regions and in popular devotional culture, while "Bholanatha" preserves the original Sanskrit pronunciation. Both forms refer to the same epithet of Shiva.
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Bholenath.