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Shiva Form · Five-Faced Shiva / Five Elements

Panchamukha Shiva

पञ्चमुख शिव
Also known as: Pañcamukha Śiva, Panchanana, Five-Faced Lord

About

The five-faced form of Shiva representing the five elements (pancha bhuta) and five cosmic functions: Sadyojata (west, creation), Vamadeva (north, preservation), Aghora (south, destruction), Tatpurusha (east, concealment), and Ishana (upward, grace). Represents the totality of Shiva's manifestations.

Attributes

Five facesFive elementsFive functionsTotality

Symbols

Five facesTrishulaDamaruCrescent moon
Consort
Parvati
Vahana (Mount)
Nandi

Associated Mantras

Om Pañcamukhāya Namaḥ
Pañcānana Mantra
Shiva Panchakshari

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri

Scriptures

Shiva PuranaShaiva Agamas

Regions Worshipped

Pan-India

Iconography

Five heads arranged in four directions and upward. Ten arms holding various attributes. Seated in meditation or on a lotus.