IMPORTANCE OF FIVE FACES OF PARAMESHVARA

September 3, 2011 at 1:34pm

1. SADYOJATA - WEST FACE

West is called as Paschima or Pratyak. The soul is called as Pratyagaatma. Hence the west face
of Shiva enters the Jeevi and causes JEEVANA (life) to be led. SADYOJATA is a compound of two
words. Sadyaha which means just now and Jataha means now born. Shiva makes his presence felt
through the countless souls being born. Hence the apt name SADYOJATA. This shows the creative
aspect of Parameshvara. The well known Pancha Brahma Mantra in the Vedas contain five stanzas
and the first stanza Is about SADYOJATA aspect of Lord Shiva. Since the very existence of any being
starts from its birth, the SADYOJATA aspect of Lord Shiva is prayed first.
Probably because of this aspect that the tradition in Nepals Pashupatinatha temple is to show the
western side of the Shiva Linga named as SADYO JATA. It is only during Abhisheka to the Shiva
Lingam that the other three faces are allowed for Darshana.
The essence of the SADYO JATA Mantra is : O! Lord ! Sadyojaata, never give me desires which are
the reason for this countless births and deaths. Please Bless me with the passion for liberation. My
prayers to SADYO JAATA.
This SADYOJATA aspect is correlated with the following
To SHI Beekakshara in Panchakshara Mantra
To Mano Maya Kosha amongst the five Koshas
To AGNI principle among five principles Pancha Bhuta.
To MANIPURAKA CHAKRA among six Chakras
To PANCHAMA Swara among the seven Swaras
To MA in OMKARA

Let us pray that SADYOJATA face of Lord Shiva.

SHIVAM SHAANTAM JAGANNATHAM
LOKAANUGRAHA KAARANAM
SHIVAM EKAM PARAM VANDE
SHIKAARAAYA NAMO NAMAHA

2.VAAMA DEVA NORTH FACE

The term VAMA means Left or innocent. If we stand facing east, North direction is to our left. Hence
the north facing Shiva is worshipped as Vaama Deva. The left of a person is representative of the
Shakti aspect. It represents Maya and the feminine strength and beauty, Hence in ARDHA
NAREESHWARA aspect, we find the goddess on the left side.
The beautiful VAAMA DEVA is more ancient that the worlds creation. Hence he is the eldest. Since
he is more worthy than others, he is the best. In catastrophic times, he is Rudra. He is KAALA in
creation and causes the erosion of ones age.
KAM means Sukha or enjoyment. KALA means receiving the enjoyment. It means to receive
enjoyment and be happy.
Since VAAMA DEVA makes the life live-able by giving happiness, he is called as KALA VIKARANA
Since he un-energizes the demons, he is called as BALA VIKARANA
Since he is the essence of all energies, he is called as BALA
Since he exhibits his energy in all living beings, he is called as BALA PRAMATHA"
Since he controls all living beings, he is called as SARVA BHUTA DAMANA
Since he cleanses and betters the mind, he is MANONMANA
He is also called as UNMANI meaning one who causes SAMADHI state.
He removes demonic nature, give liberal and charity mind.
This VAAMA DEVA aspect is correlated with the following
To VAA Beekakshara in Panchakshara Mantra
To VIJNAANA Maya Kosha amongst the five Koshas
To VAAYU principle among five principles Pancha Bhuta
To ANAHATA CHAKRA among six Chakras
To DAIVATA Swara among the seven Swaras
To BINDU in OMKARA.
Let us offer prayers to such VAMADEVA
VAAHANAM VRUSHABHO YASYA
VASUKIHI KANTHA BHUSHANAM
VAAME SHATI DHARAM VANDE
VA KAARAAYA NAMO NAMAHA
3. AGHORA - SOUTH FACE

If we stand facing east, south is our right. Hence right side is called as BALA. As important as right
hand is for humans, The South face is important to Lord Shiva. This is also famously known as
DAKSHINA MURTHY. In Kathmandus Pashupatinatha Temple, This southern face of Shiva
Lingam is decorated as Buddha, the Jnana Swarupa of Lord Narayana on every 14th day of
fortnight. On full moon night, a heap of freshly cooked rice is poured on the southern side and
decorated as a Shiva Linga. The minimally dressed temple staff enthusiastically do this even in
dreaded winter chill.
To know about the essence of the AGHORA principle of Lord Shiva, one has to understand the
meaning of the AGHORA MANTRA among the PANCHA BRAHMA MANTRA.
GHORA means dreaded. One gets dreaded because of Rajas and Tamas qualities. AGHORA
means a raw state of being without the feelings of RAJAS and TAMAS qualities. This is raw energy.
Pure knowledge is Pure energy. Hence Lord Shiva in the form of DAKSHINA MURTHY gives this
pure knowledge to the seeker. But in Lord Shiva, along with this pure knowledge face exists the
dreaded TAMAS and RAJAS forms. Lord Shiva displays the relevant nature of his being depending
on the Karma cycle of a person. At the times of annihilation, Lord Shiva assumed the raw powers of
nature and removes the living beings. Our prayers to that energy which assumes the form as
needed.
Those who worshipped 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.
They generally live in graveyards and are naked. They use those things which the world has branded
as inauspicious. They perform harsh penance. Those who worship AGHORA form of Shiva are
saved from natural catastrophe, water hardships and life threats.
This AGHORA aspect is correlated with the following

To MA Beekakshara in Panchakshara Mantra

To Prana Maya Kosha amongst the five Koshas
To JALA principle among five principles Pancha Bhuta
To SVADHISHTHANA CHAKRA among six Chakras
To MADHMAYA Swara among the seven Swaras
To U in OMKARA.

Our prayers to such AGHORA form of Shiva

Mahadevam Mahatmanam
Maha Paataka Nashanam
Maha Paapa Haram Vande
Makaaraaya Namo Namaha

4. TATPURUSHA EAST FACE

The word TAT represents Paramatma. TATPURUSHA means Saguna filled Para Brahma form. This
is a important face of Parama Shiva. The form of Shiva that is in meditation and Blessing the world
is this face. Hence this eastern face is considered as the first face. The word TATPURUSHA means
his person. One who is always behind a person to protect is TATPURUSHA.

This TATPURUSHA aspect is correlated with the following

To NA Beekakshara in Panchakshara Mantra
To Anna Maya Kosha amongst the five Koshas
To EARTH principle among five principles Pancha Bhuta
To MULADHARA CHAKRA among six Chakras
To SHADJA (sa), RUSHABHA (ri) AND GANDHARA (ga) Swaras among the seven Swaras
To A in OMKARA.

Our prayers to this TATPURUSHA form of Lord Shiva

Namaste Deva Devesha
Namaste Parameshvara
Namaste Vrushabharuudha
Na Kaaraaya Namo Namaha
5. EESHANA - SKYWARD FACE
The word ISHVARA is form the root IiSHA AISHWARYE. Total wealth means the total control and
ownership of all the fourteen worlds. Such form of Shiva, who is the total owner of the fourteen
worlds, is called as EESHANA.
This face is skywards. Which means it is on top of the other four faces which face the four directions.
This fifth face of Shiva represents the creation balance annihilation energies and control and
chaos energies. EESHANA face of Shiva which is skywards indicates the total encompassing energy
of Lord Shiva. This EESHANA aspect is correlated with the following

To YA Beekakshara in Panchakshara Mantra

To Ananda Maya Kosha amongst the five Koshas
To AAKASHA (ether) principle among five principles Pancha Bhuta
To VISHUDDHA, AJNA & SAHASRARA CHAKRA among six Chakras
To NISHADA (ni) Swara among the seven Swaras
To Nada aspect in OMKARA.

Let us pray such EESHANA form of Lord Shiva.

Yatra Kutra Sthitam Devam
Sarva Vyaapi Namishvaram
Yallingam Puujayeennithyam
Ya Kaaraaya Namo Namaha
Some say that on the base of this PASHUPATINATHA Shiva Linga in Kathmandu is the bottom
nether world facing aspect of Lord Shiva called as KAALA AGNI RUDRA face. This face is known
for Tantra practices. Because Nepals Pashupatinatha has this face, Tantra practices are still
believed in Nepal.
I urge you all to single mindedly pray for the Blessings of this five faced Shiva aspects of
Pashupatinatha on this auspicious MAHA SHIVARATRI night. Lord Shiva is called as ASHUTOSHA
in North India. Ashu means quick, Tosha means happy person. Hence the term BHOLENATH for
Lord Shiva.
Chant the Shiva Panchakshari OM NAMAH SHIVAAYA