Sadasiva

The concept and form of Sadasiva initially emerged from South India, although many ancient sculptures of Sadasiva were obtained from various parts of India and South East Asia.{{sfnp|Sharma|1976|pp=1–3}} It is believed that the cult of Sadasiva was widespread in the region of Bengal during the period of Sena dynasty who traced their origin in South India.{{sfnp|Mazumdar|2008|p={{pn|date=July 2021}}}} Sadasiva is usually represented in the form of a Mukhalinga with the number of faces varying from one to five. The first ever sculpture of Sadasiva as a lingam with five faces was found in Bhita, near Prayagraj, and dates to the 2nd century CE.{{sfnp|Sharma|1976|pp=1–3}} His five faces, Ishana, Tatpurusha, Vamadeva, Aghora and Satyojata are known as Panchabrahmas (five creators), the emanations towards the four directions and upwards from the nishkala (formless) Parashiva. Kamiga Agama, the first Agama of 28 Sivagamas depicts Sadasiva as having five faces and ten arms. His five right hands hold Trishula, Axe, Katvanga, Vajra and Abhaya while his five left hands hold Snake, Matulunga fruit, Nilotpala, Damaru, Rudraksha rosary and Varadam.{{sfnp|Sivacharya|2012}} The consort of Sadasiva is goddess Mahagayatri, a form of Parvati often known as Manonmani in Agamic texts.{{sfnp|Stutley|2006|p={{pn|date=July 2021}}}}{{sfnp|Hāṇḍā|1992|p={{pn|date=July 2021}}}} She is sometimes depicted having two arms and residing in the lap of Sadasiva.

{{gallery

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|File:Trimurti_Wat_Phu_0519.jpg|Sadasiva standing midst Brahma and Vishnu. 10th c. CE sculpture at Vat Phou, Laos

|File:Sadashiva (พระสทาศิวะ Phra Satha Siva).png|Sadashiva murti, Bangkok National Museum

|File:Sadashiva.JPG|A painting of Sadasiva murti, South India

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{{main|Pañcānana}}

According to Shaivite texts,{{which|date=August 2021}} the supreme being Parashivam manifests as pentads, rather than the trinity of other Hindu sects - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. His five deeds, known "Panchakrityas" (five holy acts), are assigned to Panchamurti, his five aspects, viz., Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Mahesvara and Sadasiva (Mahesvara and Sadashiva are forms of Shiva, Rudra is also refers as Shiva ). Creation, Preservation, Destruction, Obscuration and Grace are done by these five manifestations respectively. The five faces of Parashiva which emanate these five aspects are praised as "Panchabrahmas", the five creators or the five realities). The Panchamurtis of Shaivism are absorbed within Shaktism and named as "Panchapreta" (five bodies).{{cn|date=August 2021}}

The five faces of Sadasiva are sometimes identified with Mahadeva, Parvati, Nandi, Bhairava and Sadasiva himself.{{sfnp|Rao|1988|p={{pn|date=July 2021}}}} The ten arms of Sadasiva represent the ten directions.{{sfnp|Hāṇḍā|1992|p={{pn|date=July 2021}}}} Another variation of Sadasiva later evolved into another form of Shiva known as Mahasadasiva, in which Shiva is depicted with twenty-five heads with {{citation needed span|seventy-five eyes|date=August 2021}} and fifty arms. Given accounts relating to Sadasiva are collected from Kamika Agamam{{sfnp|Sivacharya|2012}} and Vishnudharmottara Purana.{{sfnp|Sharma|1976|pp=1–3}}

{{Reflist|25em}}

{{refbegin|2}}

• {{cite book |year=1992 |first=Omacanda |last=Hāṇḍā |title=Śiva in art: a study of Śaiva iconography and miniatures |publisher=Indus Pub. House}}
• {{cite book |year=2008 |first=Bijay Chandra |last=Mazumdar |isbn=978-1443767507 |title=The History of the Bengali Language |publisher=Read Books}}
• {{cite book|first=C. V. Ramachandra |last=Rao |title=Siva-Mahesa (Sadasiva) Murti of Bhairavakona: an iconographical study |year=1988 |publisher=Manasa Publications |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zwRFAQAAIAAJ}}
• {{cite book |title=Iconography of Sadasiva |publisher=Abhinav Publications |date=1976 |first=B.N. |last=Sharma |isbn=978-8170170372}}
• {{cite web |first=S.P. Sabharathanam |last=Sivacharya |title=Kamika Agama Uttara Pada |url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/kamika-agama-uttara-pada-part-2 |website=Hmalayan Academy |year=2012 |access-date=28 September 2017}}
• {{cite book |last=Srinivasan |first=Dorin |title=Many Heads, Arms, and Eyes: Origin, Meaning, and Form of Multiplicity in Indian Art |year=1997| publisher=Brill |isbn=978-9004107588}}
• {{cite book |first=Margaret |last=Stutley |title=Hindu Deities: A Mythological Dictionary with Illustrations |year=2006 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers |isbn=978-8121511643}}

{{refend}}

• {{Commons category inline|Sadashiva}}

Category:Forms of Shiva