Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c6.43

c6.43

the doings of the demon Jalandhara. When he attempted to seduce the wife of Śiva, that god produced a terrible being from his third eye who straightway demanded something to devour. Śiva commanded him to devour himself, which he did. all but his head. Śiva being pleased with this performance, declared that henceforward he should be called Kīrtimukha, and that his head should always adorn the doorways of his temples, where everyone should worship it before entering. On account of the presence of the face on the doorstep, it is usual for worshippers to step over and not *upon* the threshold.