Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c25.s3.77

v4.c25.s3.77

The Sūta-saṃhitā also conveys the same notion about the nature of the five aspects of Śiva known as the Pañcha-brahmās; it states that the universe is pervaded by the Pañcha-brahmās and the man who is able to realise this attains liberation from bondage (saṃsara). Īśāna is the ākāśa, Tatpurusha air, Aghōra fire, Vāmadēva water, and Sadyōjāta earth. But Śrikaṇṭhaśivāchārya views them somewhat differently; in his Brahma-mīmāṃsa-bhāshya he tells us that Sadāśiva is sound (śabda), Īśvara touch (sparśa), Rudra form (rūpa), Viṣṇu taste (rasa) and Brahmā smell (gandha).