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