Shiva is the cosmic spirit untouched by material transformations. He stands beyond gender, space and time, yet permeates the entire cosmos. He is the vitality of life, the source of all things, and their final destination. Shiva's anthropomorphic images serve only as embellishments, though they are never objects of actual worship.

This mask of Shiva in brass depicts him as Kapardin because of his long hair, matted with Banyan juice, is coiled in the shape of a conch shell. With these mighty locks he could trap the mighty river Ganga. A crescent moon crowns Shiva's head earning him the title chandrachuda. He covers himself with ash, thus rejecting symbolically the material world and expressing his disdain for its transience. The ash is put as three parallel horizontal lines. The third eye of Shiva lies obliquely on these horizontal lines. This third eye endorses his position as lord of yoga.

Here, cobras can be seen around Shiva's neck, slithering down his body, reflecting his absolute renunciation, his refusal to react or respond to any threat or temptation. Rudraksha beads are stringed together hanging down his neck.

Shiva is a god who is easily pleased. This brass mask adorning the wall of a puja room can assure the blessings of Bhola Shanker.

This description by Renu Rana.

Click here for the hardbound comic book 'Stories of Shiva'

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Of Related Interest:

The Trinetra Shiva Head (Brass Wall Hanging)

Nandikeshvara Shiva (Batik Painting)

Chandrachuda Shiva (Sterling Silver Pendant)

The Book Of Shiva (Hardcover Book)

Shiva - The Sensuous Yogi (Article)