Shivlinga with Face of Shiva – Mukhalinga......

         "AUM NAMASIVAYA"

Shivlinga with Face of Shiva – Mukhalinga......

Mukha Linga is a unique Shivlinga with face of Shiva etched on it and are found in many Shiva temples. Some of these Shivlingas are covered with metal sheaths and the face is etched on the metal. Some Mukhlingas have the entire image of Shiva carved on the surface.

On of the most popular form of Mukha Linga is the Panchamukha Shivalinga. In this Shivlinga, four faces are in four directions and in some Shiva Lingams the fifth face is shown facing the sky and in some it is the southeast direction. The five faces are known as Ishana..... Tatpurusha..... Aghora...... Vamadeva...... and........ Sadyojatha.

The different types of Mukha Linga are:........

Ekamukha Linga,

Dvi-mukhalinga,

Tri Mukhalinga,

Chaturmukha Linga

and

Panchamukha Linga

Mukhalinga Shivlinga with Face of Shiva

The Shivlinga worshipped in the famous Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal have five faces of Shiva etched on the Shivling in the sanctum sanctorum. The Shivlinga as per devotees is not manmade and appeared on its own.

Sarvato Bhadra Mukha Linga..........

Sarvato Bhadra Mukha Linga is very different from the normal Mukhlinga. It has faces of Surya..... Ganesha..... Shiva-Parvati..... and.... Shiva-Nandi.

On eastern side, it has the image of Surya, the Sun God;

on north, that of Ganesha;

on west, that of Shiva and Parvati in Kalyana Sundara manifestation.... and,

on south, that of Shiva and Nandi.

In some very rare Mukha Linga, apart from the face the hands and burst of Shiva are sculpted on it – one hand is in abhaya, or blessing posture, and the other holds water vessel.

The most popular Mukha linga is the Ekamukha Linga or with a single face.

There is also a Srimukhalingeswara Temple located at Sri Mukhalingam Village in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Rules Regarding Mukha Linga........

The Agamas and Tantras prescribe that the Mukhalinga should be made on the pujabhaga of the Sarvasama Linga.

A Mukhalinga can have one face or more, up to five faces.

Ek Mukhi lingam should be installed with the face facing east. The door of the sanctum should also be on the east.

The eastern aspect of Shiva is represented by Tatpurusha. As per Rupa Mandana, Tatpurusha aspect should be yellow in complexion – the color of garment and yajnopavita should be yellow. The hands if present should hold pomegranate in the left hand and rudraksha mala in the right hand.

                                          "AUM NAMASIVAYA"

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

 WE BREATHE TO THINK"

Importance of Avani Avittam Rituals.Its origin & Significance.....

.Avani Avittam  - Importance of Avani Avittam Rituals.Its origin & Significance.....

Legend has it that Lord Hayagriva, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, brought back the Vedas stolen by Asuras on this day.

Gayatri Japam Sankalmpam is noted for the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra for 1008 or 108 times. The sequence and the mode of performing the rituals depend on mutt (Math) affiliation.

Sama Vedi Brahmins perform the ritual the day after Shravan Amavasi

Avani Avittam | Origin and Significance................

Avani Avittam or Upakarma is primarily practised today among the Brahmin community. This custom was once practised by Kshatriyas and Vaishyas too. Upakarma is a vedic ritual when the person changes his holy thread (Yagnopaveetham). The Following day Gayatri Mantra is recited 1008 times and the day it attributed for Gayatri Japam.

Origin:.......................

Upakarma is translated as “Beginning”. It essentially means that the person starts the process of learning the Veda. Yajur Upakarma means that the process of starting to learn the Yajur Veda. Yajur Vedis observe Upakarma during the month of Aadi or Shravan on the full moon day. This particular day is auspicious as it is the day in which Lord Narayana assumed the avatar of Lord Hayagriva, who is the God of knowledge and restored the Vedas to Lord Brahma. Rig Vedis observe the upakarma on the day before if the full moon day falls on two days. On the other hand, Sama vedis observe Upakarma on the month of Avani on the Hastha Nakshatra. But all observe the Gayatri Japam on the same day, i.e the day next to Yajur Vedha Upakarma.

As the obvious question of why observe the Upakarma if it’s about starting the learning of Vedas. During the ancient days, the Vedas were performed only between the months of Aadi – Thai. Therefore, one is supposed to perform an “utsarjanam” in the month of Thai, i.e., a giving up of the learning of Vedas from Thai to Avani. Just like a Upakarma function there was a Utsarjana function in Thai. The period between January to August was then devoted to learning other branches of our shastras. Thus the cycle of Upakarma and Utsarjana with regard to Vedic studies was established. However, this method took 12 or more years to learn just one veda. Slowly this became impractical and Vedic studies continued throughout the year.

The practice and purpose:.......

The main purpose of the Upakarma function is to offer prayers and express our gratitude to those rishis who gave us the Vedas — the rishis through whom the Vedic mantras were revealed. These rishis are known as “kaanda rishis”. In the Upakarma Homam as well as in the tharpanam, the offerings are made to the kaanda rishis. In fact, this tharpanam is so important that it is included as part of our daily worship.

On the day of Avani Avittam, the sacred thread worn is changed and it is usually a community observance and takes place on the banks of a pond or river. Avani is the name of the Tamil month and Avittam is one of the 27 nakshatras or stars. On this day, a Mahasankalpam or a vow is taken for the atonement of all our sins in the past year. The Brahmins take a holy dip and wear a new holy thread called Yagnopaveetham or Janeyu.

avani-avittam-procedure......

The first step is a ‘prayashchita’, A prayer to atone the sins for having learned Vedas during the prohibited period. Specifically, one atones for not having performed the Utsarjanam in the month of Thai. That’s why we begin the function by doing the “kAmo’karshIt…” japam. It says, “For the removal of all my sins and thereby to secure a divine blessing and for qualifying myself to perform the essential duties of Brahmanas as prescribed in the vedas and smritis and adopted by the really good in their conduct I put on this Yagnopavita”. When the thread is worn another mantra is recited which means -”I put on the sacred thread which is highly pure, is inseparable from God, is capable of prolonging life and is the foremost in the accomplishment of a Brahmana. May such pure Yagnopavita bring strength and dignity. While removing the old thread, the mantra means -”I throw away the broken dirty old thread, may the new one bring on long life and Brahmana’s brilliance.

After the kamo’karsheeth japam, we proceed to perform the Upakarma function. It is done after mAdhyAhnikam and bhagavad-ArAdhanam (ijyA). The main purpose of the Upakarma function is to offer prayers and express our gratitude to those rishis who gave us the Vedas — the rishis through whom the Vedic mantras were revealed. These rishis are known as “kaanda rishis”. There are different rishis for the different Vedas. We are expected to worship those rishis who belong to our shakha or branch of the Veda,

Thala Avani Avittam:...........

upakarma............

For the first Avani Avittam, ie., that comes immediate after one’s Upanayana, Naandi Sraaddha also is to be performed – in hiranya rupam. In addition to this, there are some more rites specifically prescribed. However it may be noted that there is no Kamokarsheen Japam for the boys who have Pradhama sravanam. Also it is advisable to get the thalai Aavani Avittam is performed with the same Acharya, Vadhyar, who has conducted the Upanayana (Brahmopadesa) for the boy. And for this occasion, for homam, jaggery payiru sundal and appam are used for neivedhyam.

History of Avani Avittam/ Upakramam............

Also called the Upakramam, the beginning, the day recalls the reincarnation of the Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity of Gods, as Hayagriva, the God of knowledge. The Lord had restored the Vedas to Brahma on this day, hence the festival signifies the beginning of the reading of the Yajur Veda for the next six months.

In Southern India the festival celebrates knowledge and the pursuit of it. Traditionally, Brahmins were known as men of knowledge and they have sought to study the Vedas and derive its meanings over centuries. This continues till day as each Brahmin sets out to achieve the goal of transcendence, oneness with the creator Brahma. This day is celebrated as Nariyal Purnima or Rakhi Purnima in the west and Kajri Purnima in the North.

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

 WE BREATHE TO THINK"

IMPORTANCE OF FIVE FACES OF PARAMESHVARA......................&......Pancha mantra.

IMPORTANCE OF FIVE FACES OF PARAMESHVARA......................&......Pancha mantra.

. "AUM NAMASIVAYA"

The Five Faces of Shiva....................

The five-faced Shiva and associated teachings remains somewhat a mystery to students of spirituality. While the teachings regarding the five faces are somewhat expansive, there is a great deal one can learn from the five faces as they contain numerous lessons and fulfill an important role within ones spiritual practice. Shiva’s five faces can be associated with many groupings of five such as the five elements, the five koshas (sheaths that surround the soul) and the first five chakras.

The five faces of Shiva.......Are..........

1. Sadyojāta

2. Vāmadeva

3. Aghora

4. Tatpurusha

5. Īshāna

1. Sadyojāta........ is associated with the western direction and represents Icchā Shaktī--will power. Sadyojāta is associated with Manomaya Kosha—the sheath covering the soul that consists of mind. Additionally, this face is associated with the fire element representing the fire of the mind and the fire of the body. This face is Shiva’s function as the creative force and is associated with Manipura chakra.

Sadyojata Mantra.....

sadyojātaṁ prapadyāmi sadyojātāya vai namo namaḥ

bhave bhavenātibhave bhavasva māṁ bhavodbhavāya namaḥ

I submit my mind, speech and body totally and repeatedly to Lord Sadyojata, who manifests Himself and instantaneously creates bodies and worlds, who appears to devotees in the forms contemplated by them and yet transcends such forms assumed by Him and who has a retinue of Deities formed of millions of mantras. May He make my form as of His own form.

2. Vāmadeva....... is associated with the northern direction. This face of Shiva is associated with the shakti of strength and beauty as well as the goddess Maya. Vāmadeva is associated with the Vijῆānamaya Kosha. This face is the Citta rūpa, the form of the universal consciousness limited to the individual mind. Several traditions believe that mantra to Vāmadeva has considerable healing benefit. This is the preserving energy of Shiva and is connected with the air element as well as the Ānahata Chakra.

Vamadeva Mantra................

vāmadevāya namo jyeshṭhāya namaḥ śreshṭhāya namo rudrāya namaḥ kālāya namaḥ

kalavikaraṇāya namo balavikaraṇāya namo balāya namo balapramathanāya namas

sarvabhūta damanāya namo manonmanāya namaḥ

Salutations to the luminous Lord who sportively creates everything. Salutations to the One who is eternally the Eldest, transcending the great cycles of time. Salutations to the One whose lordship excels all other Gods. Salutations to the One who wards off the sufferings of all living beings. Salutations to the One who is Eternal Time. Salutations to the One who sets into operation the divisions of time and maintains the worlds in an orderly way. Salutations to the One who, being the source of strength, strengthens the auspicious forces. Salutations to the One who, being the wielder of strength, withdraws the strength of inauspicious forces and extirpates them. Salutations to the One who guides all souls to ultimately reach Him.

3. Aghora........ is associated with the southern direction and jῆāna Shaktī--the power of knowledge; as well as the Buddhi rūpa meaning the form of the intellect. This face is associated with the Pranamaya Kosha, and represents the rejuvenating and dissolving qualities of Shiva as well as being connected to the water element and Svadishthana chakra.

Aghora Mantra............

aghorebhyotha ghorebhyo ghora ghoretarebhyas sarvebhyas sarvasarvebhyo

namaste astu rudrarūpebhyaḥ.

Salutations to Lord Siva who manifests Himself in countless benign forms, in frightful and terrifying forms, and to all those countless forms of Rudra (eulogized in the Sri Rudram hymn). Salutations to all such manifestations of Lord Siva.

4. Tatpurusha....... is the eastern face. This face represents the parātman or supreme soul behind the physical being. This form is Ānānda Shaktī, the power of bliss. Connected with the Annamaya kosha, tatpurusha in its higher manifestation is bliss; in the lower manifestation, it is the concealing power of Shiva. This face is associated with the earth element, muladhara chakra and is considered beneficial for increasing focus.

Thathpurusha Mantra.......

tatpurushāya vidmahe mahādevāya dhīmahi tanno rudraḥ prachodayāt.

As guided by my guru, I realize the form of Siva known as Tatpurusha. I meditate with pure mind and refined intellect on the Great Illuminator. Let Tatpurusha—who cuts asunder the limiting bonds of the souls and by this act comes to be known as Rudra—guide, enlighten and strengthen my organs of knowledge and action and my internal faculties.

5. Īshāna........... is the upper or skyward face. It is the Citta Shaktī or power of the individual consciousness to realize the universal consciousness. This form is associated with Akasha or ether, and the Vishuddha chakra. This is the total energy of Shiva encompassing all attributes of Shiva. This is the face of Shiva that is the revealing power and is associated with the Anandamaya kosha.

While one can benefit from chanting a mantra to all the faces before beginning one’s sadhana, meditation or other spiritual activity, it is important to note that there is an astrological aspect as well. Each of us has a karmic disposition to one face over the other regarding a particular karmas within this lifetime.

Ishana Mantra..............

īśānassarva vidyānām īśvaras sarva bhūtānām brahmādhipatir brahmaṇo’dhipatir

brahmā śivo me astu sadāśivom.

Lord Ishana—the Supreme Lord and Revealer of all knowledge and spiritual disciplines, the nourisher and controller of all living beings, the Directing Lord of Sadasiva, He who is the guiding and directing authority for the eight Vidyeshvaras, who directs Brahma, Vishnu and others—may He present Himself in this Sivalinga. By such benign presence, let there occur absolute purity and auspiciousness in me. Om.

Five Main Functions of Lord Shiva.........

Panchanana Aspects or Forms of Lord Shiva - Panchamukhi Shiva.

Panchamukhi Shiva – Aum Pancvaktraye Vidmahe Mahadevaye Dhimahi Tanno Rudra Prachodayat.

1. Destruction (Laya or Samhara)......

He is the creator as we as the one who ends things. He is responsible for controlling the life cycle. So the things he creates are also destroyed or brought to an end by him. Hence he is the destroyer.

2. Creation (Shristi)........

He is responsible for all forms of creation around us. He manifests himself into this nature and the individual souls of the living. He is responsible for balancing this creation and the life in it.

3. Preservation (Sthiti).......

He is the preserver of everything that he creates and manifests. He is the one that provides us the power of breathing and the fire that helps us in digesting. He provides all living beings with water, air and food and makes life possible.

4. Revelation (Anugraha)......

Lord Shiva represents the truth as well as supreme knowledge. He is the one responsible for providing liberation to all the beings. Without his blessings attaining inner peace and liberation is not possible. In order to attain liberation one must do good karma and worship Shiva with faith and devotion.

5. Concealment (Tirobhava)................

He is responsible for concealing or keeping this world under delusion. He does not let the living beings perceive their true nature or become aware of his presence. He remains hidden and keeps the beings suppressed in order to maintain order and stability in the world.

Lord Shiva is a five faced God. These five faces represent the five different forms of Lord Shiva. These forms represent the following things-

Five different directions.

Five different elements.

Five divisions of the human body.

Five divisions of time.

Five senses of the humans.

Five different energies.

Five different colors.

The five faces of Shiva are responsible for the creation of this world and its beings. Creation is made using the five forms of Shiva. Without it creation is not possible.

Panchanana Aspects or Forms of Lord Shiva - Panchamukhi Shiva......

1. Sadyojata (the Revealer).........

Direction– West

Color– White

Element– Fire

Sense– Taste

Body organ– Sex organ

Sadyojata is a combination of two words – ‘Sadyaha’ which means just now and ‘Jataha’ which means now born. Shiva manifests himself and makes his presence known through the newborn souls. In this he is the creator. Shiva enters the Jeevi and causes Jeevana. Sadyojata shows the creative aspect of lord Shiva. As a being exists in this world through his birth, this aspect of Lord Shiva is worshiped first. This aspect is associated with the color white which represents purity. Shiva is shown as white holding the Vedas and rosary in two hands and showing gestures of protection and granting wishes in the other.

This aspect is associated with the western direction and it also represents our will power. It represents our mind and our tastes and pleasures life. As the aspect is associated with fire it represents the fire in our body as well as mind.

The prayer for this form of Lord Shiva is

Shivam Shaantam Jagannatham

Lokaanugraha Kaaranam

Shivam Ekam Param Vande

Shikaaraaya Namo Namaha

2. Vamadeva (the Concealer)..............

Direction– North

Color– Red

Element– Air

Sense– Sight

Body Organ– The feet

The term Vama means left as well as innocent. When we stand facing the east direction, the north is to our left. If we stand facing east, north direction is to our left. So, in this aspect Shiva is the north faced lord and hence he is worshiped as Vamadeva. In this aspect Shiva is shown as red in color wearing red ornaments with four hands- rosary and hatchet in two hands and the other two showing gestures of protection and granting wishes.

This face of Shiva is associated the Shakti i.e. strength. It represents Maya, the grand illusion and feminine strength and beauty. It also represents the power of action in our body.

The prayer for Lord Shiva in this aspect is...............

Vaahanam Vrushabho Yasya

Vasukihi Kantha Bhushanam

Vaame Shati Dharam Vande

Va Kaaraaya Namo Namaha

3. Aghora (the destroyer)......

Direction– South

Color– Dark red or black

Element– Water

Sense– Hearing

Body organ– Speech

Panchanana Aspects or Forms of Lord Shiva - Panchamukhi Shiva Linga.....

This aspect is also known as Rudra. When we stand facing the east south is to our right. Hence in this aspect Shiva is the south faced lord. In Aghora – ghora means the dreaded. So in this aspect Shiva has raw powers and his main function is destruction and hence he is also called the destroyer. He provides justice and enforces law. He shown having four faces and nine hands that carry an axe, shield, elephant hook, noose, spear, skull, drum and rosary.

This aspect is associated with the power of the mind and represents the power of knowledge as well as intellect in a person. Those who worshiped the aghora form of Shiva were called as Aghoris. Their main belief is that there is no such thing called “inauspicious” in this world because all that exists if Shiva himself.

The prayer for Lord Shiva in this aspect is-......

Mahadevam Mahatmanam

Maha Paataka Nashanam

Maha Paapa Haram Vande

Makaaraaya Namo Namaha

4. Tatpurusha (the Cosmic being).....

Direction– East

Color– Golden

Element– Element

Sense– Smell

Body organ– Anus

In Tatpurusha, the word ‘Tat’ means Paramatma. Altogether Tatpurusha means Saguna filled Parabahma form. This form of Shiva is always in mediations and provides abundant blessings to the world. Also this form of Shiva is the east faced god hence he represents the rising sun. He is shown as golden in color with three eyes and four faces. He wears clothes that are yellow in color and stands in the company of Goddess Gayathri. Also Tatpurusha signifies Shiva as a protector of all living beings.

This form represents the power of bliss. Also since it is associated with earth, it also represents our focusing power.

The prayer for this form of Lord Shivais-.....

Namaste Deva Devesha

Namaste Parameshvara

Namaste Vrushabharuudha

Na Kaaraaya Namo Namaha

5. Ishana (the Lord).......

Direction– Upward or Skyward

Color– Copper

Element– Space or ether

Sense– Touch

Body organ– Hands

Ishana is derived from the word ‘Ishvara’ which is a combination of ‘Isha’ and ‘Aishwarya. Hence this form of Shiva represents him as the lord or Ishana of all the fourteen worlds. Also in this form the face of Shiva is towards the sky. This shows us that the fifth face is on top of the other four faces that are facing the four different directions. This face is skywards. Which means it is on top of the other four faces which face the four directions. In this aspect Shiva is shown as copper in color standing alongside a she-goat. He has a total of 10 hands. In his hands he carries the Vedas, an elephant hook, a noose, hatchet, skull, drum, rosary and trident. The remaining two hands show the gesture of protection and granting wishes.

This fifth face of Shiva represents the creation – balance – annihilation energies and control and chaos energies. It indicates the total encompassing energy of Lord Shiva. In humans it represents the power of their consciousness to realize universal consciousness.

The prayer for this form of Lord Shiva is............

Yatra Kutra Sthitam Devam

Sarva Vyaapi Namishvaram

Yallingam Puujayeennithyam

Ya Kaaraaya Namo Namaha

These five forms and functions of Shiva are essential for our existence, continuation, transformation, purification and liberation. So we be aware of them and worship them accordingly.

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

 WE BREATHE TO THINK"