Upakāra (Upakara) was one of the names of Śiva Mahādeva (Siva Mahadeva). Commentator Nīlkaṇtha (Nilkantha) explained the meaning of the name of Śiva (Siva) as Upakāra (Upakara)-
Upakāraḥ (Upakarah) Prīṇanarūpa (Prinanarupa)|
‘Prīṇana'(Prinana) means to produce satisfaction, to please. The meaning of Upakāra (Upakara) was also almost similar. The etymology of Upakāra (Upakara) indicates that after the ‘Upa’ Upasarga, ‘ghaṃ’ pratyay was added with the kṛ dhatu (‘upasarga’, ‘pratyay’ and ‘dhatu’ are Sanskrit grammatical terms). Upakāra (Upakara) means to help someone or to do something good for someone. The person who helps can be called ‘Upakāraka’ (Upakaraka) as well as Upakāra (Upakara). The name of Lord Śiva (Siva) as Upakāra (Upakara) indicated his beneficial, kind, blessed aspects.