Chaturamukha Linga

Chaturamukha linga or the four faced linga: typically a linga is devided into three parts - the rudra bhaga which is the bottom most part, most often this is not visible as it is placed in the groove of the yoni. the second part is the vishnu bhaga and the top most part is the shiva bhaga. only 3/4ths of this linga will be visible above the yoni. come to think of it shaivism pretty much deals with fertility worship.



More on shiva: The mythology of Shiva is complex and contradictory. He is sometimes depicted as a chaste, wandering ascetic, but at the same time an ideal family man, monogamous, powerful and fertile. Shiva is usually worshipped in the form of the linga, an erect phallus. Rather than an image charged with sexuality, the linga is regarded more as a symbol of the god's energy and potential.

The four faces, each pointing in a cardinal direction, allude to Shiva's most prominent aspects. These comprise Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva in his terrifying form, two faces which show his different attitudes as a withdrawn and serene ascetic and lastly, Parvati, his consort, the embodiment of feminine power.

The four-faced linga is sometimes regarded as symbolic of the five elements – Earth, Water, Wind, Fire and Space, the latter alluded to by the invisible face imagined to be on top of the sculpture and referred to by the vertical axis.

The lingam - Phallic symbol of Lord Shiva.

Shiva is one of the oldest dieties in the Indian pantheon of Gods. He was first depicted on Indus valley seals as Pashupata. The first depictions are of him in a yogic pose, with a horn crown over his head. He is surrounded by animals including a unicorn. Mukha lingas are found across the country. the Ekamukha linga, dvimukha linga chatura mukha linga, so on and so forth.



His later sculptures depictions his various exploits. He is depicted in his symbolic form, the phallus in most temples in the Garba Griha. His human form adorns the outer walls. This sculpture is from the early 5th cen AD, the place - cave 4, udayagiri, MP.
This is a single faced linga, The rock-cut caves at Udayagiri seem to have been the focus of a complex mixture of Shiva worship (interior), Vishnu worship (exterior), sun worship, and astronomical activity including the prediction of monsoons.

His jattas, long ear lobes(like buddha) and his third eye!!!

Ardhanarishwara - union of Shiva and parvati

The sculpture of ardhanarishwara is one of the most unique sculptures ever conceived. It depicts the union of shiva and parvati. The story behind the making of this sculpture goes as follows. Sage Bhringi was an ardent devotee of lord shiva, but he never considered parvati to be a part of his worship.


As always, sage Bhringi meditated on lord Shiva. The sage regularly worshiped lord Shiva at his abode in the Kailasa moutain. at the end of his worship he would religiously circum-ambulate Shiva. On one of these regular occasions, Parvati observed him and moved up close to Shiva so that bhringi would have to go around both of them instead of Shiva alone.

Sage bhringi noticed this, and realizing what had just happened, he turned himself into a bee and went around shiva thrice. This enraged Parvati and Shiva noticed what had happened. In order to teach bhringi a lesson that parvati is a part of him and cannot be excluded, he merged himself with parvati such that bhringi would have to circum ambulate both instead of just him.

The sculpture depicts the same form that shiva aquired in order to let bhringi know that he is incomplete without parvati.

An add on: bhringi is often depicted as a skeleton in most images, this is because parvati having noticed that bhringi did not go around her, cursed him in fury to become thin and completely emaciated, so weak that he could not stand. shiva, moved by bhringi's plight, gave a third leg for support.

The ideology behind Soma Skanda

Most mythologies that circle around Shiva have subtle meanings in the science of Kundalini. The concept of Kundalini deals with Shiva in many ways. It is a school of thought that enables a human being to attain salvation through certain practices.

Its a belief that every human being has male and female energy within him/ herself. The female energy is typically referred to the kinetic energy and resides in the Muladhara chakra at the tip of the spinal chord. This element is represented as "Parvati" from the mythological perspective. The element of Shiva is the inactive energy which is housed in the region of the third eye. The merger of these two energies is defined as enlightenment which can be realized by individual experiences alone and cannot be explained.

As the female kinetic energy rises through the spinal chord upwards it has to pass through various energy centers called chakras. When the chakra at the throat region is activated, the aspirant is no longer dependent on the external world for his sustenance. The eternal drink of immortality or Soma/Amrit is believed to flow freely and the aspirant turns "immortal".

Soma Skanda in simpler terms, is the result of the union of these two potent opposite forces giving rebirth to the aspirant as an evolved being. This is best described in mythology as the union of Shiva and Parvati resulting in the birth of Soma Skanda and hence results in immortality.

The concept of Shiva - Somaskanda murthi

In Indian iconography, Shiva is often depicted in one of two forms. The soumya(pleasant) rupa(form) and the (a)ghora(terrific) rupa. In ancient times Shiva cults across India has been accepted as esoteric, magical and often non conformist. He is worshiped at cremation grounds, his company is depicted as ghosts and dwarfs and ganas etc... His exploits in various mythological stories appear reasonably rebellious to social order, yet he is one of the most respected deities in the pantheon of Gods.

Depictions of him in soumya rupas are related to his family. Here the reference is made to his son Karthikeya also called Soma Skanda. Soma - is also a drink. It is an intoxicant, it is also the elixir to immortality.

Shiva is also associated with the Tantric school of thought that deals with the raising of the Kundalini. This sculpture, though very simple and basic holds a far more amazing concept than what meets the eye.

Somaskandamurthi:
Somaskandamurthy is one of the most famous sculptures of Shiva and depicts Shiva with Parvati and their son Karthikeya. This sculpture is a Chola sculpture from then 10th century AD, in the Rajaraja Museum at Tanjore.

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Photos courtesy: Michael D. Gunther / ww.art-and-archaeology.com