Item: Shiva (Indian God)

Shiva Lingam, Pashupatinath: there are four faces surrounding the Linga and a central formless face above that represent five aspects of Shiva and five geographic holy places. Tatpurusha is on the east side and represents Jaganath, Aghora on the south side representing Rameshwar, Vamadeva on the north side representing Badri Narain, Sadyojata on the west side representing Dvarika and Ishana in the center facing up representing Pashupati Temple complex in Kathmandu Valley. There are descriptions for the four different faces and the attributes held in the hands but generally they are difficult to differentiate.

Jeff Watt 12-2007