A) Five Faces of Lord Shiva:

1. Sadyojata - West Face:

West is called as “Paschima or Pratyak”. The soul is called as

“Pratyagaatma”. “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 'Sadyosata'. This shows the creative
aspect of Parameshvara. Since the very existence of any being
starts from its birth, the Sadyosata aspect of Lord Shiva is prayed
first.

The essence of the Sadyosata 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 Sadyosata”.

This Sadyosata 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” among Six Chakras
To “Panchama (Pa)” Swara among the Seven Swaras
To “Ma” in 'Omkara'

Let us pray that Sadyosata face of Lord Shiva.

'Shivam Shaantam Jagannatham

Loka Anugraha 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 world’s

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 one’s age.

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 “Aanhata Chakra” among Six Chakras
To “Daivata (Dha) ” Swara among the Seven Swaras
To “Bindu” in 'Omkara'.

Let us offer prayers to such Vama Deva:

'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”.

To know about the essence of the Adhora principle of Lord Shiva,

one has to understand the meaning of the Aghora Mantra among the
Pancha Brahma Mantra.

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 “Madyama (Ma)” Swara among the Seven Swaras
To “U” in 'Omkara'.

Our prayers to such Aghora form of Shiva:

'Mahadevam Mahatmanam
Maha Paataka Nashanam
Maha Paapa HaramVande
Makaaraaya Namo Namaha'

4. Tatpurasha - 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” 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 “Aisha – 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 Eeshna.

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. Eeshna face of Shiva which is skywards
indicates the total encompassing energy of Lord Shiva.

This Eeshna 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 & Sahasra Chakra ” among Six Chakras
To “Nishada (ni)” Swara among the Seven Swaras
To Nada aspect in 'Omkara'.

Let us pray such Eeshna form of Lord Shiva:

'Yatra Kutra Sthitam Devam

Sarva Vyaapi Namishvaram
Yallingam Puujayeennithyam
Ya Kaaraaya Namo Namaha"

B) Pancha-Brahma mantras, Krishna Yajur veda, Taittiriya Aranyaka

(X.17-21):

1. Sadyojāta Mantra:

ससससससससस सससससससससस सससससससससस सस ससस

सससस
ससस ससस सससस ससस ससससस ससस ससससससससस सससस

sadyojātam prapadyāmi sadyojātāya vai namo namah

bhave bhave nāti bhave bhavasva mām bhavodbhavāya namah

I take refuge in the First Born, verily I bow to the First Born
Do not consign me to birth after birth;
Guide me beyond birth, I bow to the Causer of birth.
2. Vāmadeva Mantra:

ससससससससससस ससससससससस ससस ससससससससस

ससस ससससससस ससस ससससस सससस
ससससससससस ससस सससस ससस
ससससससससस ससस सससससससससस सससस
सससससससससससस ससस ससससससससस सससस

vāmadevāya namh jyesthāya namah śresthāya

namo rudrāya namah kālāya namah
kalavikaranāya namo balāya namo
balavikaranāya namo balapramathanāya namah
sarvabhūtadamanāya namo manonmanāya namah

I bow to the Noble One, the Eldest; to the Best, to Rudra and to
Time,
I bow to the Incomprehensible, to Strength,
To the Causer of various forces, and to the Extender of Strength.
I bow to the Subduer of all beings, and to the One who kindles the
Light.

3. Aghora Mantra:

ससससससससससस सससससससस सससससससससससससससस

सससससस ससससस ससससससससस सससससस ससससस
ससससससससस

aghorebhyo'tha ghorebhyo aghoraghoretarebhyah

sarvatah śarvah sarvebhyo namaste rudra rūpebhyah

I bow to those not terrible and those who are terrible,

And to those who are both terrible and not terrible.
Everywhere and always, Śarva, I bow to all Thy Rudra forms.
 4. Tatpurusa Mantra:

सससससससससस ससससससस सससससससस सससससस

ससससस सससससस ससससससससससस

tatpurushāya vidmahe mahādevāya dhīmahi

tanno rudrah pracodayāt

May we know that Supreme Person

And mediate on that Great God,
May Rudra impel us!

5. Īśāna Mantra:

सससस ससससससससससससससससससस ससससससससससस

सससससससससससस ससससससससससससससससस
ससससससस सससस सस ससससस स सस सससससस सससस

īśāna sarvavidyānāmīśvarah sarvabhūtānām brahmādipati

brahmano'dhipatir
brahmā śivo me astu sa eva sadāśiva om

Ruler of all knowledge, Master of all beings,

Commander of all study and devotion,
That God Auspicious to me,
Be He just so, the Ever-Auspicious Om.

The Faces Of Shiva

Shiva is having Five Faces the faces are as Follows.

 - Isana: This faces South East and represent the eshwara aspect
known as Sada Shiva.

- Tatpurusha: This faces east, which represent the ego aspect OF

Shiva
- Aghora: This faces south, which represents the destructive and
regeneration aspect of Shiva.

- Vamadeva: This faces north, which represents the preserving

and healing nature of Shiva. He is a doctor, that’s why we call
him Vaidyanatheshwara

- Sadyojata: This Faces west, which represent the creativity of

Shiva.

A simple prayer to Lord Shiva is “ Om Namah Shivaya ”.

Some prayers on the mighty Lord have been given here.

“ Om Jai Shiva Omkaaraa, Prabhu Jai Shiva Omkaaraa

Bramha Vishnu Sada Shiva ARDDHAANGII DHAARAA
OM HARA HARA MAHAADEVAA...”

Meaning
Glory to you, O Shiva! Glory to you, O Omkaaraa! May Brahma, Vishnu and
the assembly of other gods, including the great Lord Shiva, relieve me of
my ignorance.

Om namastestu Bhagavan Visvesvarya Mahadevaya Triyambakaya

Trikagni Kalaya Kalagni Rudra Ya Nilakanthaya Mrityunjayaya
Sarveshwaraya Sada Shiva Sriman Mahadevaya namah

Meaning

Om, I bow down to lord Shiva, who is the creator and protector of the
universe , who is greatest among gods, who has three eyes, lord of all the
three worlds, one who throat is blue , who is conqueror of death, who is
the lord of all, and possessing the marks of greatness among. To such
Great Mahadeva my salutations.

Vandhe Sambumumapathimh suragurum

Vandhe Jagathkaaranam

Vandhe PanagaBhooshanam mrugadharam

Vandhe Pasoonaam pathim

Vandhe Soorya Shasaankavahninayanam

Vandhe Mukundhapriyam

Vandhe Baktha Janasrayamsvratham

Vandhe Shivam Sankaram

There are five

faces of Shiva.

Sadyojata
Earth came
from sadyojata face of lord. From this Earth there came
a Grey colured cow called nanda. Vibhuthi came from the dung of that
cow.

Vamadeva Water came from this

face of lord. From this there came a Black colur cow
called Bhadra. From this Bhasita came.

Aghora
 Fire came from this face of lord. From this there came
copper coloured
cow called surabhi which gives Bhasma.

Tatpurusha
Air came from this face of lord. From this there come
white coloured cow called Sushela came which gives Shanti and
Ksheram ( milk).

Ishana
Space Comes from this face. From this there comes
multi colured cow called Sumana which gives Raksha.

Earth, water, air, Space are known as Pancha Bhuthas. These Pancha
Bhuthas are associated with the five faces of lord shiva.In association
with Each face
lord shiva is Called as Pancha Bhutha Linga which are
situated at the following places.

Prthvi lingam is situated at Kanchi puram, Ekambreeshwarar Temple.Sri

Ekambareswara is worshipped in the form of Prithvi linga (Earth). Hence
Kanchipuram is considered as one of the Pancha Butha Sthalas. According
to a legend, Parvati, once in Kailas, playfully closed the eyes of Lord
Shiva, plunging the entire world in darkness. An angry Shiva cursed the
Devi to turn dark like Kali. The Goddess descended on this place and did
penance under a mango tree, making a Lingam out of earth. Hence, much
significance is attached to this shrine and the mango tree, situated within
the temple. Kanchipuram is situated 71 kms from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Jala Lingam is situated at Thiruvanaikkaval, Trichy

This is one of the most revered temples to Shiva; it is one of the
Panchabhoota Stalams signifying the 5 elements of wind (Kalahasti),
water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and
space (Chidambaram). The primordial element water, is represented
by an undying natural spring in the sanctum.

There is said to have been a forest of Jambu trees near

the Chandrateertha tank (filled with the water of the Kaveri) here
 and Shiva is said to have appeared under one of the
trees as a Shiva Lingam. Legend has it that two devotees of Shiva were
born under the influence of a curse as a white elephant
and a spider. The elephant worshipped Shiva with flowers and water
brought in its trunk (hence the name Tiru Aanaikka).

The spider worshipped the Lingam by spinning a web on top, to protect it

from falling leaves. The elephants worship would destroy the spiders
web, and the spiders web amounted to desecration in the eyes of the
elephant leading to animosity between the two, of such proportion that a
fight between them resulted in the death of both. The spider was born
again in the royal Chola family (in Uraiyur - during the Sangam period).
An interesting tale is associated with his birth. His parents Subhadeva and
Kamalavati prayed to Nataraja of Chidambaram for a male successor. The
royal astrologer is said to have predicted an auspicious time for the birth
of a successor who would be a ruler of great fame. The hour of birth
approached sooner though and the royal queen bade her attendants to tie
her legs and hang her upside down, with the aim of delaying the birth of
the child. She achieved her objective although the royal offspring was
born with reddened eyes, earning for himself the name 'Chenkannan' - the
red eyed one. In his life time Ko Chenkannan is said to have been built
several elevated temples - out of reach of elephants, keeping with the
legend of his animosity with an elephant in his previous birth.

The stala vriksham is said to have grown out of a munivar, who offered
his worship to Shiva.Akhilandeswari (Parvati) is said to have meditated
upon Shiva here, and her shrine here, is considered to be of great
significance.

It is believed that Akhilandeswari was originally an Ugra Devata of great

fury, and Adi Sankaracharyar is said to have converted the fiery energy of
the deity into a manifestation of peace. Shrines to Vinayaka and
Subramanya face Akhilandeswari.

This temple has records of patronage from the Chola Pandya, Hoysala and
the Madurai Naik kings. The temple is said to have been built by the
Chola King Ko Chenkannan and it was of special significance to the Chola
kings. Ko Chenkannan is praised by tamil literature for having built more
than seventy temples - and he is historically placed in the Sangam period
(the very early years of the Christian era).
Inscriptions from the tenth century AD testify to later Chola patronage.
The Hoysalas who had a base near Samayapuram (near Tiruchi) built four
temples in Northern Tiruvanaikkaval (Vallaleeswaram, Padmaleswaram,
Narasimheswaram and Somaleswaram). The Pandyas and the Hoysalas
contributed to the Eastern tower.

Adi Sankara is said to have visited the Akhilandeswari shrine. He is said to

have adorned her with ear-rings bearing the symbol of the chakram.
There is a shrine to Adi Sankara in this temple.

This is a vast temple (18 acres) with lofty gopurams, 5 prakarams and
ornate mandapams. The second and third prakarams date back to the
13th century. The dwajasthampa mandapam has grand sculptural work.
There is an image of Ekapada Trimurthy representing the unity of Bhrama
Vishnu and Shiva in this temple.

The Akhilandeswari shrine is located in the fourth prakaram. The Eastern

tower with seven levels has fine sculptural specimen of musical scenes,
while the Western tower has nine levels. The first prakaram has been
renovated in this century.

Festivals: Annual festivals here include the Pankuni Bhrammotsavam,

Vasanta Utsavam, the float festival in Thai (Capricorn) , Aadi Pooram
(Cancer) and the Pancha Prakara festival. For more information please
see the Templenet Special Feature on Tiruvanaikka

Agni ligam is situated at Tiruvannamalai , Kartigai day in December or

January, a huge fire is lift up, visible for kilometers around. Sri Ramana
Maharishi, a great saint of our times, spent the days of his ministry in the
town. Two legends
are associated with this historic temple, those of
Lingodbhava and Ardhanarisvara. In
the first Lord Siva appeared as a cosmic flame of light
before Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, who each considered Himself
supreme
and said that the matter could be tested if the two
could search for His (Lord Siva’s) top and bottom. Lord Vishnu took the
form of a boar and delved deep into the earth, Lord Brahma that of a
swan and flew
into the empyrean; Lord Vishnu failed in His objective
and returned. But Lord
Brahma, chancing upon a piece of “thazhambu”, a
floral fibre, learnt from it that it had been floating down for
forty thousand years from Lord Siva’s head. He seized
upon this and claimed
to Lord Siva that he had seen the other’s top. Lord Siva
realized the falsehood
and pronounced that there would never be a temple for
Lord Brahma in this world. He
also interdicted the use of the floral fibre in His
worship. When Lord Vishnu
and Lord Brahma repented, Lord Siva took the form the
Linga. Sculptures of the
Lingodbhava, as this is called, with a swan on top and a
diving boar at the bottom, are found in every Saiva temple, often
in niches on the walls of the sancta.

In the second legend, Goddess Uma once playfully covered Lord Siva’s
eyes with Her hands. All creation became dark, and
the people suffered. To expiate the sin Goddess Uma went to
Kanchipuram. Lord Siva then told Her that She
should go to Tiruvannamalai and perform penance and
that She would then take Her place in His own left side. Accordingly, She
came to Tiruvannamalai and setting up a hermitage on the top of a hill
there, performed
severe penance. She killed a king of demons,
Mahishasura. She then organized a big festival on Kartigai day. She saw
the Cosmic Flame on the summit and then took Her
place in the Lord’s left side.
Some celebrated bronzes embody the concept of
Ardhanarisvara,

Vayu Ligam is situated at sriKalaHasthi.

Chithambara Lingam this is situated at Chidambaram.

Chitambaram also called ponnambalam (Golden hall), is the famous

temple for Shiva devotees in Tamil Nadu. Before and at the end of
recitation of hymns its name is referred as "thiruchchiRRambalam" even
today.

Once the great serpent Adhi sEsha felt that mahA vishNu was heavy that
time. He asked mahA vishNu the reason. He told him that he remembered
the dance, that Lord did once in the presence of all dhEvAs. Due to the
pleasure of reminiscence mahA vishNu was heavy. Inspired by this Adhi
sEsha wanted to see the dance of the Lord.

He came to chitambaram and worshipped the Lord as pathanychali.

vyAghra pAdar, a sage, was also worshipping the Lord to see His dance.
vyAghra pAdar got as a boon the legs and eyes of the tiger to claim the
trees and see in the dark, so that he can get flowers, fresh, untouched by
even bees, before the dawn for the worship. They worshipped the Lord
for a long time. To fulfill their desire the Lord appeared on the
thiruvAdhirai and danced in the golden hall. kALi competed against the
Lord , but lost. king chimmavarman put golden roof over the ambalam
(naTarAjar Sanctum) in fifth century ACE(AD).

This place represents the thakarAkAsham - the sky inside us. In this
temple Lord Shiva is worshipped in all the three forms, namely, arUpa -
which is called chitambara rahasyam, arUparUpa - shiva li.ngam and rUpa
- naTarAja. There is a Sanctum Sactorum for vishNu next to naTarAja, in
the lying posture, and called gOvindha raja swamy.

VENERABLENESS OF SADYOJAAT

The sages asked Sutji as to how was lord Brahma able to have a divine
glimpse of Sadyojaat. Sutji replied-During the Kalpa named Shwetalohit,
once lord Brahma witnessed the manifestation of a divine child who was
of mixed (red & white) complexion. The child had a Shikha (topknot) on
his head. Considering him to be an embodiment of almighty God, Lord
Brahma eulogized that child. Suddenly four children appeared and formed
a protective ring around Sadyojaat. The names of these children were-
Sunand, Nandan, Vishwanand, and Upanand. All of them were of fair
complexion and very handsome.Anybody who is desirous of attaining to
Rudraloka must take refuge in Sadyojaat.

LORD VAAMDEV

Once, during thirtieth kalpa named Rakta, Lord Brahma was meditating
on Parameshthi Shiva. Suddenly a divine child appeared before him who
was of red complexion and who had put on red apparels. He was none
other than Lord Vaamdev. Lord Brahma immediately realized the divinity
of that child and was convinced that he was the embodiment of Almighty
God.

Lord Brahma eulogized Vaamdev who was pleased by his devotions. Four
divine entities-Virija, Vivahu, Vishoka and Vishwabhavana manifested
from the body of Vaamdev. All of them had great resemblance to Lord
Vaamdev. Vaamdev preached them on the finer points of religiousness so
that mankind could be benefited by this knowledge.

LORD TATPURUSH

The thirty-first kalpa was known as Peet Kalpa. The term 'Peet' means
yellow and this Kalpa was named Peet because Lord Brahma had put on
yellow apparels during this Kalpa. Once, while he was meditating on the
form of Lord Shiva, a divine child manifested before him. The child had a
halo of light all around him and had put on yellow coloured clothes. Even
his turban, sacred-thread and garland were yellow in colour. His arms
were abnormally long.

Lord Brahma immediately realized that the child was none other than
Lord Maheshwar himself. Suddenly a divine cow appeared from the mouth
of Maheshwar, who had four faces and possessed all the thirty-two
qualities. The divine cow was none other than Goddess Gayatri
herself.Lord Brahma eulogized her and Maheshwar was very pleased by
his deep devotion. Maheshwar also blessed him with divine knowledge
and unrevealed the secret of yoga to him. Right then, many divine
children appeared from the body of lord Maheshwar. Each of them had
put on yellow apparels and had great resemblance to lord Maheshwar.
They were extremely virtuous and served the mankind by giving sermons.
After having completed their mission of spreading the message of
virtuosity to the mankind, all of them got united with Lord Maheshwar
ultimately.

A person, who is desirous of getting liberated from all his sin, must seek
the blessings of Lord Maheshwar who is also known as Tatpurush.

LORD AGHORESH

Peet kalpa was followed by Pradhritta kalpa. Black was the predominant
colour of this kalpa. Initially, the whole earth was submerged in the
water and Lord Brahma desirous of commencing his creations wished for a
son. As a result, a divine child manifested whose complexion was dark.
Not only that he had put on black apparels and a black crown on his head.
A black sacred thread was hanging across his shoulder.

Lord Brahma immediately recognized Aghoresh and eulogized him. Lord

Aghoresh became pleased by his devotion and blessed him. Just like the
preceding Kalpas, four divine children manifested from lord Aghoresh's
body. All of them had great resemblance with Aghoresh in every respect.
In course of time, they did tremendous tapas and preached the virtue of
religiousness to the mankind. A person who worships Lord Aghoresh and
has deep devotion in him becomes liberated from gravest of sins like
Brahmhatya (sin acquired due to killing a Brahmin) etc.

LORD ISHAAN

In the beginning of Vishwaroopa kalpa, lord Brahma, desirous of

commencing creation was engrossed in deep meditation. This resulted
into the manifestation of a divine cow, which puzzled lord Brahma very
much. Actually, this divine cow was none other then Vishwaroopa
Saraswati, but lord Brahma failed to recognize her. Lord Brahma decided
to take the help of Lord Ishaan and started meditating on him.

When Lord Ishaan appeared before him, he was requested by Lord

Brahma to shed light on the identity of that divine cow. Lord Ishaan
replied by saying-"The present kalpa is called Vishwaroopa kalpa. It has
originated from the left side of my body and is the thirty-third kalpa. This
divine cow has also originated from me. She is goddess Gauri-the source
of all creation. After saying like this, Lord Ishaan created four divine
entities from the body of the cow-Jati, Mundi, Shikhandi and Ardhamund.
All of them were very luminous and virtuous. After preaching the world
for thousands of divine year. They got reunited with lord Rudra.