South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c9.s14.9

c9.s14.9

Bhairava, born of the blood of Siva, is another form of this class. The *Tantrasāra* mentions eight forms of Bhairava which are fit for worship. His general form shows dishevelled matted hair, three eyes and a red-coloured body. His symbols are the trident, sword, noose and the kettle-drum. He is naked and is represented as being followed by all kinds of demons and spirits and riding on a dog (fig. 97). Hēmādri describes Bhairava as a pot-bellied god with round red eyes, terrible face, protruding teeth and wide nostrils. He wears a garland of skulls and ornaments of snakes,¹ thus frightening even his consort who stands by his side. The upper half of his body which is dark in colour is covered with the elephant’s hide. He has many arms and holds all destructive weapons. The *Silpasāra* makes him seated on a jewelled throne under the celestial tree *mandāra*, closely embraced by the goddess. The same work mentions three other forms of Bhairava, viz., Panchavaktra-Bhairava, Gōvinda-Bhairava and Samhāra-Bhairava. The second of these has four arms and holds the conch, discus, drinking cup and the mace. He has three eyes and is young, serene and naked. On his side is the goddess Vaishnavī-Sakti and his vehicle is the bird Garuda. The third has five faces and ten arms and among his weapons are also the Vaishnavite conch and discus.