Panchanana Shiva:
In some temples Shiva is shown with five faces. These five faces are Isana, Tatpurusa,
Aghora, Vamadeva and Sadyojata. Isana faces south east and represents Iswara aspect of
Shiva known as SadaShiva, or the Eternal Shiva.Tatpurusha faces the east. He is Shiva in his aspect as a deluded purusha or ego. Aghora facesthe south and represents the destructive and regenerative aspect of Shiva that, like fire, firstdevours life and then prepares the ground for its renewal. Vamadeva faces north. He is healer and preserver. Sadyojata faces west and represents creative power of Shiva.
Anugrahamurthy:
This is the milder or peaceful aspect of Lord Shiva when he is in the company of his beloved
devotees or his family members.
Ugramurthy:
Also known as Raudra , Bhairava, Kankala or Samharamurthy, this is the ferocious or angry
form of Shiva, generally associated with the events during which Shiva assumed his terrible
form to slay the demons or the wicked.
Tandavamurthy:
Lord Shiva in the Tandav dance forms.
Dakshinamurthy:
This is Shiva in his aspect as the universal teacher, teaching the secrets of yoga, tantras,
yantras, alchemy, magic, occult knowledge, arts and sciences, ancient history or knowledge
of the future to the sages and saints, gods and goddesses and his devotees.
Lingodhbhava-murthy:
This image signifies the importance of Shiva in the form of Linga as the Supreme Self,
without a beginning and without an end.
Bhikshatana-murthi:
This is Shiva in his ascetic aspect, wandering from place to place, with a begging bowl made
of human skull, doing penance or lost in his own thoughts.
Hridaya-murthy:
This is Shiva in a mood of reconciliation and friendship with Vishnu.
Natraja :
Shiva Nataraj's dance represents both the destruction and the creation of the universe and
reveals the cycles of death, birth and rebirth. His Dance of Bliss is for the welfare of the
world. Under his feet, Shiva crushes the demon of ignorance called Apasmara Purusha,
caused by forgetfulness.
In some temples Shiva is shown with five faces. These five faces are Isana, Tatpurusa,
Aghora, Vamadeva and Sadyojata. Isana faces south east and represents Iswara aspect of
Shiva known as SadaShiva, or the Eternal Shiva.Tatpurusha faces the east. He is Shiva in his aspect as a deluded purusha or ego. Aghora facesthe south and represents the destructive and regenerative aspect of Shiva that, like fire, firstdevours life and then prepares the ground for its renewal. Vamadeva faces north. He is healer and preserver. Sadyojata faces west and represents creative power of Shiva.
Anugrahamurthy:
This is the milder or peaceful aspect of Lord Shiva when he is in the company of his beloved
devotees or his family members.
Ugramurthy:
Also known as Raudra , Bhairava, Kankala or Samharamurthy, this is the ferocious or angry
form of Shiva, generally associated with the events during which Shiva assumed his terrible
form to slay the demons or the wicked.
Tandavamurthy:
Lord Shiva in the Tandav dance forms.
Dakshinamurthy:
This is Shiva in his aspect as the universal teacher, teaching the secrets of yoga, tantras,
yantras, alchemy, magic, occult knowledge, arts and sciences, ancient history or knowledge
of the future to the sages and saints, gods and goddesses and his devotees.
Lingodhbhava-murthy:
This image signifies the importance of Shiva in the form of Linga as the Supreme Self,
without a beginning and without an end.
Bhikshatana-murthi:
This is Shiva in his ascetic aspect, wandering from place to place, with a begging bowl made
of human skull, doing penance or lost in his own thoughts.
Hridaya-murthy:
This is Shiva in a mood of reconciliation and friendship with Vishnu.
Natraja :
Shiva Nataraj's dance represents both the destruction and the creation of the universe and
reveals the cycles of death, birth and rebirth. His Dance of Bliss is for the welfare of the
world. Under his feet, Shiva crushes the demon of ignorance called Apasmara Purusha,
caused by forgetfulness.
