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Shiva Form · Bearer of the Skull Bowl

Kapalimurti

कपालिमूर्ति
Also known as: Kapālī, Skull-bearer

About

The form of Shiva as the skull-bearer. Associated with the cremation ground asceticism. Represents the transcendence of death and the ultimate reality beyond life and death.

Attributes

Skull bowlAsceticismDeath transcendence

Symbols

Skull bowl (kapala)Cremation ground

Associated Mantras

Om Kapāline namaḥ

Scriptures

Shiva PuranaTantras

Regions Worshipped

Pan-IndiaTantric traditions

Iconography

Fierce ascetic form holding a skull bowl (kapala). Naked or wearing animal skin. Associated with cremation grounds.