Lord Shiva is one of the three major deities of Hinduism and the most important manifestation of the Brahman. The two other deities are Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. Together they form Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Shiva lives in Kailash with his wife Goddess Parvati and their two sons – Ganapati and Karthikeya. His vehicle is Nandi the divine bull. Shiva is the lord of destruction and is also called ‘the Destroyer’. He is responsible for maintaining the life cycle. He destroys as well as recreates. He is a great yogi and known for his mercy, kindness and fair justice. Features of Shiva include the snake ‘Vasuki’ around his neck, the third eye on his forehead, an adjourning crescent moon and Ganga flowing from his hair. He carries a ‘trishula’ and a ‘damru’ in his hands which act as a weapon and musical instrument respectively. Lord Shiva is known by many names like Mahadeva, Mahayogi, Pashupati, Nataraja, Bhairava, Vishwanath, Bhava and Bhole Nath.

Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of a Lingam. The linga represents both Shiva and Shakti. The linga has two parts i.e. the lingam which is the male reproductive part (represents Shiva) and yoni which is the female reproductive part (represents Shakti or Parvati). The linga combines both of them and represents the power of unity and completeness. The linga symbolizes Lord Shiva because he is responsible for destroying and recreating.

Lord Shiva has a huge amount of followers and is worshiped by many. The worshiping of Shiva is called ‘Shaivism’ which is one of the four major sects of worship in Hinduism. The people that follow Shaivism are called ‘Shaivas’. They consider him to be the most supreme and divine ruler of this universe who acts as a creator, protector as well as a destroyer.

 

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
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

 

The Panchnana Aspects or Forms of Lord Shiva

Panchanana Aspects or Forms of Lord Shiva - Panchamukhi Shiva

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

 

Vamadeva (the Concealer)

Direction– North

Color– Red

Element– Air

Sense– Sight

Body Organ– The feet

The term Vama means left as well as innocent. The term VAMA means Left or 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

 

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
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

 

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

 

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.
 

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One thought on “Panchanana Aspects and Forms of Lord Shiva

  1. Midhun Narayan says:

    Panchamukhi Shiva – Five is the sacred number for Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is represented with 5 faces and 5 syllables. There are mantras, one for each of the five faces of Lord Shiva. Each head of Shiva has a name and has special powers or Shakti.

    Our Puranas describe the five forms of Shiva as the five elements, senses, organs of perception and organs of action. Shiva is the ultimate Lord.

    Om Namah Shivayah

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