Shiva was a cry baby

The last day of the “Bright Fortnight” (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Phalgun (Feb/Mar) is the 14th day after the previous New Moon and so is called “Chaturdashi” which mean 14 in Sanskrit. The night after is the Full Moon (Purnima) of Phalgun and hence commences the festival of Holi and the “Dark Fortnight” of Phalgun until the appearance of the New Moon of the month of Caitra. The Chaturdashi Tithi (lunar day) pooja is dedicated to veneration of Lord Shiva, the deity of necessary and righteous destruction. The Varaha Purana tells us that Lord Shiva (also known as Rudra) was born on this day out of the creator god Brahma’s frustration of being unable to perform his creation. Lord Shiva was just a little baby and began to cry incessantly. Lord Brahma began to chant “tvam ma rud” (don’t cry), and this is how Shiva became to be known also as Rudra, the crying baby. Mantras and poojas to Lord Shiva should be conducted on this day to aid the lord in destroying our sins and all that is superfluous and troublesome in our lives.

Story of Chaturdashi from Purana

LORD RUDRA

Sage Mahatapa then went on to describe the incident that led to the manifestation of lord Rudra and the significance of chaturdashi- In the beginning of creation, when lord Brahma failed in his repeated attempts to create, he became frustrated. Frustration turned into fury and from his fury manifested a divine entity who cried incessantly. Lord Brahma tried to stop him from crying and said- tvam ma rud (don't cry). This is how lord Rudra got his name. Lord Brahma then requested Rudra to commence creation but since Rudra lacked the power needed for doing creation therefore he refused and went to do penance. Later on, lord Brahma created his manasputras and other living creatures. Daksha Prajapati was one of these manasputras. Once he had organised a grand yagya in which all the deities and even the demons had been invited.

Meanwhile, Rudra's penance was disturbed by the constant chanting of the mantras at the yagya performed by Daksha Prajapati. Rudra was infuriated resulting into the emanation of flames from his mouth. Eventually these fire-balls got transformed into ferocious spirits and ghosts. Rudra then reached the place where the yagya was being performed and with the help of all the spirits and ghosts started destoying the oblation site. It was only after lord Brahma's intervention that Rudra calmed down. All the deities then eulogized Rudra and sought his blessings. One who worships lord Rudra on the auspicious day of chaturdashi becomes absolved of all his sins. - (Varaha Purana, International Gita Society)