Manifestations of Lord Shiva - Tatpurusha Murti

2. Tatpurusha Murti

This is the most popular 3rd manifestation of Lord Shiva in the 21st Kalpa known as Peetvasa. Tatpurusha, one of the five faces of Shiva, represents Power of Concealment which limits individual jiva's awareness about its true nature, its past and future, and thus allowing jiva to evolve itself. The following murtis are considered to be originated from Tatpurusha.

a) Bhikshatana Murti:

Lord Shiva, in order to teach a lesson to the sages in Darukhvanam takes this manifestation. He appears as a nude lunatic with the Brahma Kapal in his hand and enchants the wives of the sages and ladies of the Darukhvanam.

Photo Source: https://kshetrapuranas.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/to-kill-a-rogue-elephant-vazhuvoor/

b) Kamadahana Murti:

This manifestation of Lord Shiva took place after the death of his consort Parvati. In this manifestation, He gives Upadesha to Sanakadi Munis. Then, He sits in deep meditation. Then Manmatha (Kamadeva) tried to disturb His meditation. Lord Shiva opened His 3rd eye and burned Manmatha. The place where this event is supposed to have taken place is known as Thirukurukkavur in Tamil Nadu.

Photo Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamadeva#/media/File:Madan-Bhasma_(Shiva_Turns_to_Ashes).jpg (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamadeva)

c) Kalasamhara Murti:

In this manifestation, Lord Shiva rescued the boy Markandeya from death (Yama). Markandeya was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. When Yama came to take away his life, Markandeya clutched the Shiva Linga in a bid to escape death. It is believed that Lord Shiva manifested and killed Yama to save Markandeya. In different Puranas, this event is supposed to have taken place in different places. Some believe that it took place at Thirukadaiyur near Karikal in Tamil Nadu.

Photo Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amritaghateswarar-Abirami_Temple,Thirukkadaiyur#/media/File:Raja_Ravi_Varma,_Markandeya.jpg

d) Jalandhara (Salandhara) Samhara Murti:

In this manifestation, Lord Shiva slays the demon Jalandhhar (Salandhara) with the help of Lord Vishnu. The demon was supposed to have manifested from Lord Shiva’s sweat. When the demon tried to remove from Lord Shiva’s feet the Sudarshan Chakra given to Lord Shiva by Lord Vishnu (for slaying the demon), he was slayed by Him. The place where this Samhara took place is Verkudi near Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu.
Lord Vishnu transformed Jalandhara’s wife Brindha (very staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu) into Tulsi at this place. Hence Lord Vishnu got a curse which was the cause of Lord Vishnu's Rama avataar.

Photo Source: https://kshetrapuranas.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/to-kill-a-rogue-elephant-vazhuvoor/

c) Tripurari Murti:

This manifestation of Lord Shiva was to annihilate the three demon sons of Tarakasur. They represent the Ego, the Karma and the Maya. This manifestation implies that it is necessary to overcome these three impurities in life. The temple town of Banrutti in Cuddalore district (Tamil Nadu) celebrates the slaying of Tripuras by Lord Shiva.

*Tripura Vijaya Deva Koneri Rajapuram Tanjore Dist. Sembiyan Mahadevi Concecration. 990 C.E
*Photo Source: http://tamilartsacademy.com/journals/volume2/articles/tripurantaka.html

Manifestations of Lord Shiva - Ishan Mukha Murti

1.  ISHAN MUKHA MURTI 

In the VISHWAROOPA KALPA, ISHAN was manifested from LORD SHIVA. Ishan, one of the five faces of Lord Shiva, signifies the subtle and ethereal form of Shiva that represents transcendental knowledge. It also represents Power of Revelation, one of five powers of Lord Shiva namely Power of Creation, Power of Sustenance, Power of Dissolution, Power of Concealment and Power of Revelation. Also, the direction Ishanya (North-East) represents prosperity and knowledge. The following murtis are considered to be originated from Ishana.

(a) SOMASKANDA MURTI:

This murti represents the state of Sat-Chit-Anand.

In this state, Shiva represents 'Sat', Lord Skanda represents 'Chit' and Parvati represents 'Ananda'. This indicates that the three states are united together. It is a family representation of LORD SHIVA. This idol is found in almost all the SHIVALAYAS in southern India, the most important place being THIRUVARUR in Tamil Nadu.

*A Depiction of Somaskanda with a dancing Skanda (Lord Murugan) in the middle of Uma and Shiva.
*Photo Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somaskanda

(b) NATARAJA MURTI:

This manifestation of Lord Shiva clearly explains the PANCHAKSHARI MANTRA and PANCHAKRITIS (a set of 5 KRITIS in CARNATIC music).

Idols of this manifestation are found in SHIVA Temples in Ananda Tandava form.

The most important idol of NATARAJA is at CHIDAMBARAM in Tamil Nadu.

This place (CHIDAMBARAM) is one of the Five Stages (Sabha) where LORD SHIVA performed Nritya (Tandava).

*A 10th century Chola dynasty bronze sculpture of Shiva,
the Lord of the Dance at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
*Photo Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja#/media/File:Shiva_as_the_Lord_of_Dance_LACMA_edit.jpg
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja)

(c) RISHABHA ARUDH MURTI:

After Samudra Manthan when LORD VISHNU went to Patala Loka he was infatuated by a beautiful woman. From her, he had many sons who were cruel and monstrous. LORD SIVA took form of an Ox and killed them.

In this manifestation, LORD SHIVA is depicted as sitting on an Ox.

*Ancient Khmer sculpture of the Hindu god Lord Shiva riding a bull.
Pediment at Banteay Samre Temple, part of the Angkor complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Ancient sculpture, hundreds of years old.
*Photo Source:
http://www.featurepics.com/online/Shiva-Sculpture-2255126.aspx

(d) CHANDRASHEKAR MURTI:

This form represents the manifestation in which LORD SHIVA absolved the curse of CHANDRA (MOON).

LORD SHIVA gave a boon so that the MOON can wax and wane alternately for 15 days resulting in Full-MOON and New-MOON.

Photo Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File:Lord_Shiva_Images__An_artistic_representation_of_Lord_Shiva_and_the_12_Jyotirlingas_associated_with_him.jpg
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva)

(e) KALYANSUNDARA MURTI:

This is also known as PANIGRAHA MURTI.

It depicts the marriage of LORD SHIVA with HIS consort PARVATI.

It shows LORD VISHNU along with HIS consort LAXMI giving away the bride.

LORD BRAHMA is depicted as the official priest. This temple is at THIRUMANANCHERI.

*Kalyanasundara scene, Ellora Caves
*Photo Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ellora-caves-1.jpg
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalyanasundara)

In coming articles we will provide information about following manifestations (2) TATPURUSHA, (3) AGHORESH, (4) VAMADEVA and (5) SADJYOT

Manifestations of Lord Shiva - Introduction

We had listed 64 manifestations (MURTHAMS) of LORD SHIVA in our Forms (Murtis) of Lord Shiva article. It is stated in SHIVA PURANA, that 25 of them are most significant.

According to scriptures, these manifestations have originated from 5 different faces of LORD SHIVA. They are (1) ISHAN, (2) TATPURUSHA, (3) AGHORESH, (4) VAMADEVA and (5) SADJYOT.

*1 Five-faced Mukhalinga, Himachal Pradesh; currently in LACMA

*2   The 10th century five headed Shiva, Sadashiva, Cambodia.

Photo Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shivalinga_Cover_with_Five_Faces_LACMA_M.85.279.5.jpg
   (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukhalinga)
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva#/media/File:10th_century_five_headed_Shiva_Sadashiva_Cambodia_Metmuseum.jpg
   (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva)

In the next few articles, we will try to enumerate some of these manifestations.

Please note that these write-ups are brief introductions/pointers to the Vedic/Puranic repository of Hindu religion and culture so that interested readers are encouraged to explore further. 

Eleven Rudrars

According to Vishnu Purana, Rudra (Shiva) was born from the anger of the creator, Brahma. Rudra was in the ArdhaNari (half male and half female) form. The male half form split into eleven forms forming eleven Rudrars. Some of them had white complexion and were gentle. The others were dark in complexion and were fierce. These Rudrars were named as:

1. Manyu
2. Manu
3. Mahmasa
4. Mahan
5. Siva
6. Rtudhvaja
7. Ugraretas
8. Bhava
9. Kama
10. Vamadeva
11. Dhrtavrata

From the female half form, Rudranis were formed and they became the consorts of Rudrars. Their names (may not be in the 1:1 order of Rudrars) are:

1. Dhi
2. Vrtti
3. Usana
4. Urna
5. Niyuta
6. Sarpis
7. Ila
8. Ambika
9. Iravati
10. Sudha
11. Diksa

According to other Puranas, the Rudrars are named as:

1. Aja
2. Ekapada
3. Ahirbudhnya
4. Tvasta
5. Rudra
6. Hara
7. Shambhu
8. Tryambaka
9. Aparajita
10. Isana
11. Tribhuvana

In Vedic mythology, Rudrars are considered as attendants of Rudra (Shiva). Mahabharata describes Rudrars as companions of Indra and also as servants of Shiva and Skanda. In Matsya Purana, Kapali, Pingala, Bhima, Virupaksa, Vilohita, Ajesha, Shasana, Shasta, Shambu, Chanda and Durva are mentioned as the ferocious Rudrars who aid Lord Vishnu in his fight against demons.