LORD SHIVA IN SHIVAGAMA 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 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.

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. Sadyojta Mantra:

sadyojtam prapadymi sadyojtya vai namo namah bhave bhave nti bhave bhavasva mm bhavodbhavya 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. Vmadeva Mantra:

vmadevya namh jyesthya namah resthya namo rudrya namah klya namah kalavikaranya namo balya namo balavikaranya namo balapramathanya namah sarvabhtadamanya namo manonmanya 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:

aghorebhyo'tha ghorebhyo aghoraghoretarebhyah sarvatah arvah sarvebhyo namaste rudra rpebhyah I bow to those not terrible and those who are terrible, And to those who are both terrible and not terrible. Everywhere and always, arva, I bow to all Thy Rudra forms. 4. Tatpurusa Mantra:

tatpurushya vidmahe mahdevya dhmahi tanno rudrah pracodayt May we know that Supreme Person And mediate on that Great God, May Rudra impel us! 5. na Mantra:

na sarvavidynmvarah sarvabhtnm brahmdipati brahmano'dhipatir brahm ivo me astu sa eva sadiva 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.