25 Maheshvara Murtams

According to Shaiva Sidhdhaantha the God is formless (arUpa) . But for the salvation of lives He
took the form of liN^gam - meaning symbol (arUpa rUpa). liN^gam< can be considered both as form
as well as formless symbol. This mUrti is called sadA shiva mUrti. From the SadhA Shiva mUrti, for
the benefit of lives God took a lot of forms which are called mAhEshwara mUrtis. There are twenty
five MAhEshwara mUrtis (Some say there are more). Some of these mUrtis are bhOga mUrtis,
usually with Shakthi like R^ishabArUdar, or yOga mUrtis, sitting in one of the yOga postures without
Shakthi in the side like dakshiNAmUrti, or vEga mUrtis, in the state of destruction like kAlAri.
Usually in the temples, SadhA Shiva mUrthi (Shiva liN^gam ) will be in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
The mAhEshwara mUrhtis will be in the Praahaaram. (Outside the Sanctum Sanctorum). There are
some nice Sanskrit dhyAna shlokas  that praise these mUrtis. The English translation of them (with
the help of Sree Hari sreehk@hotmail.com) and some information is given for that corresponding
mUrti name here.

1. Bhikshatanar

2. Kamari

3. Kalari

4. Kalyana Sundarar

5. R^Ishabharudhar

6. Chandra Shekharar

7. Uma Maheshvarar

8. Natarajar

9. Tripura.Ntakar

10. Jala.Ndharari

11. Gajasa.Mhara Murti (Matan^Gari)

12. Karalar (Virabhadrar)

13. Sha.Nkara Narayanar

14. Ardha Narishvarar

15. Kiratar

16. Ka.Nkalar

17. Chandeshanugrahar

18. Chakra Pradar

19. Saha Uma Ska.Ndar (Somaska.Ndhar)

20. Eka Padar

21. Gajamukhanugrahar (Vighneshanugrahar)

22. Dakshina Murti

23. Nilakanthar

24. Li.Ngodbhavar

25. Sukasanar