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