Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.1964

c9.1964

5) Assets of Śiva. Śiva possesses a mass of matted hair, red in colour. It is known as Kaparda also, and hence he is called Kapardī as well. Śiva is also stated to be Agni. He has three eyes, the third one on the forehead being all fire. Śiva is called Trinetra, Phālanetra, Agnilocana etc. because of the above facts. It is only just and proper that Śiva, who is the destroyer of all things should have relation to Agni. Śiva, the all-destroyer, carries the Śūla in his hands always. Another weapon is named Pināka, and therefore Śiva is called Pinākapāṇi (he who holds Pināka in his hands). Both Śiva and his vehicle, the Bull, are white in colour. The white colour indicates the justice observed in the process of annihilation. Śiva has been described as possessing two, four, eight and ten hands. Besides the Pināka, he holds in his hands the club called Khaṭvāṅga, the bow called Ajagava, a deer, beads, skull, ḍamaru (a musical instrument) and many other sacred articles. Gaṅgā and Candra (moon) dwell on his head, and he is, known as Gaṅgādhara and Candracūḍa also. A Garland made of human skulls adorns his neck. Śiva wears the skin of the leopard for cloth and uses the skin of the elephant for blanket. All over his limbs snakes are worn as ornaments.