Maha Vishnu

Highest form of Shiva

Sadashiva is the highest form of Shiva in Shaivism, a major sect of Hinduism. The word “sadashiva” is a combination of the Sanskrit words “sada” (always) and “shiva” (auspicious). Thus, Sadashiva is the “always auspicious one” or the “eternally blissful one.”

Sadashiva is depicted as a five-faced and ten-armed deity. The five faces represent the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space), and the ten arms represent the ten powers of Shiva (creation, preservation, destruction, obscuration, grace, knowledge, power, will, liberation, and bliss).

Five faces of Sadashiva

• Ishana: The face of Ishana represents the north direction and the element of space. It is the face of pure consciousness.
• Tatpurusha: The face of Tatpurusha represents the east direction and the element of fire. It is the face of creation.
• Vamadeva: The face of Vamadeva represents the south direction and the element of water. It is the face of preservation.
• Aghora: The face of Aghora represents the west direction and the element of air. It is the face of destruction.
• Satyojata: The face of Satyojata represents the upward direction and the element of earth. It is the face of revelation.

Sadashiva is often depicted as seated on a lotus flower, which represents the purity of his consciousness. He is also often depicted holding a trident, which represents his power over the three gunas (qualities) of sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia).

3 Qualities of SadaShiva

The three gunas are qualities that are present in everyone, but in different proportions. They are sattva, rajas, and tamas.

• Sattva is associated with purity, peace, and wisdom. It is the quality of light, clarity, and goodness.
• Rajas is associated with activity, ambition, and change. It is the quality of movement, passion, and desire.
• Tamas is associated with darkness, inertia, and ignorance. It is the quality of heaviness, dullness, and sloth.

Sadashiva is a god who represents the balance of the three gunas. He is a god of peace, but also of strength. He is a god of wisdom, but also of creativity. He is a god of goodness, but also of power.

By worshiping Sadashiva, we can learn to balance the three gunas within ourselves. By balancing the three gunas, we can achieve peace, happiness, and wisdom.

In English, the three gunas are often translated as:

• Sattva as “purity” or “lightness”
• Rajas as “activity” or “passion”
• Tamas as “inertia” or “darkness”

The three gunas are a central concept in Hindu philosophy, and they are often used to explain the nature of reality and the human condition. They are also used in yoga and meditation, as a way to cultivate balance and harmony in the mind and body.

Sadashiva is the source of all creation, preservation, and destruction. He is the ultimate reality, the ground of all being. He is the one who is always present, always aware, and always blissful.

In Shaivism, it is believed that one can attain union with Sadashiva through the practice of yoga and meditation. By purifying the mind and body, and by cultivating the qualities of sattva, one can come to experience the eternal bliss of Sadashiva.

Key features of Sadashiva

• He is the highest form of Shiva.
• He is depicted as a five-faced and ten-armed deity.
• He represents the five elements and five powers of Shiva.
• He is often depicted as seated on a lotus flower.
• He holds a trident, which represents his power over the three gunas.
• He is the source of all creation, preservation, and destruction.
• He is the ultimate reality, the ground of all being.
• He is the one who is always present, always aware, and always blissful.