Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c25.s3.74

v4.c25.s3.74

The eight forms of Śiva which go by the names of Bhava, Śarva, Īśāna, Paśupati, Ugra, Rudra, Bhīma and Mahādēva are grouped under the collective name of the Mūrtyaṣṭaka. We have already seen how these names were received in succession by Śiva when he was first produced by Prajāpati and how the eight aspects represented by the names given above became the lords of the various tatvas such as fire, air, earth, etc. (See also Vol. I, pp. 398-400.)