Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
by Arpita Chakraborty | 2013 | 33,902 words
This page relates ‘Appearance of Lord Sadashiva-murti’ of the study on the Shaiva Upanishads in English, comparing them with other texts dealing with the Shiva cult (besides the Agamas and Puranas). The Upaniṣads are ancient philosophical and theological treatises. Out of the 108 Upanishads mentioned in the Muktikopanishad, 15 are classified as Saiva-Upanisads.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
15. Appearance of Lord Sadāśiva-mūrti
Sadāśiva-mūrti has a crystal like complexion and matted hair. He is five faced with ten arms. He has one body and two feet. In his right five hands, He holds the trident which represent the Icchāśakti, Jñānaśakti and Kriyāśakti, an axe that represent the Parāśakti, a staff with a skull which is the symbolic of Kartṛtva [kartṛtvam], a sword, a ball of rice for the Manes, a thunderbolt and abhaya mudrā which offer refuge to people. In his let five hands, He holds a serpent which is symbolic of sin, noose which represent the Māyā that lead the gross and the subtle forms, a blue lotus, a god, a ḍamaru, a varada mudra which bestows riches, a wears a parivatta [parivattam] that represents his tirobhava aspect and a smile that show his blessing nature. This form of Śiva with attributes, facilitates meditation and worship.
Yet he is also beyond this form; therefore all hat has been said of the Liṅgamūrti applies to Sadāśivamūrti as well.[1]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Śiva Tattvaratnākara Kallola I, Taraṅga 6.verse 10