Sadasiva

Sadasiva
Sadasiva from West Bengal. 11th c. CE
Affiliation	Absolute Being, Shiva
Abode	Sadakya Tattva, Celestial Maha Kailasam
Mantra	Om Namah Shivaya
Symbols	Mukhalingam
Mount	Nandi
Consort	Manonmani

Sadasiva (Sanskrit: सदाशिव, SadAśiva, Tamil: சதாசிவம் ), is the Supreme Being Lord Parashivam in the Mantra marga Siddhanta sect of Shaivism. Sadasiva is the omnipotent, subtle, lumnious absolute. The highest manifestation of almighty who is blessing with Anugraha or grace, the fifth of Panchakritya - "Holy five acts" of Shiva. Sadasiva is usually depicted having five faces and ten hands, is also considered as the one of 25 Maheshwara murtams of Lord Shiva. Sivagamas conclude, Shiva Lingam, especially Mukhalingam, is the another form of Sadasiva

The concept and the form of Sadasiva was initially emerged from South India though so many ancient sulptures of Sadasiva obtained from various parts of India as well as South east Asia. It is believed that the cult of Sadasiva was widespread in the region of Bengal during the period of Sena dynasty who traced their origin in South India. Sadasiva is usually represented in the form of Mukhalingam with varying number of faces counting one to five. The first ever sculpture of Sadasiva as a Lingam with five faces was found in Bhita, near Allahabad belonges to 2nd century CE. His five faces, Ishana, Tatpurusha, Vamadeva, Aghora and Satyojata are known as Panchabrahmas (The five creators), the emanations towards the four directions and upwards from the nishkala (Fromless) Parashivam. Kamiga Agamam, the first Agamam of 28 Sivagamas depicts that Sadasiva has five faces and ten arms. His five right hands hold Trishula, Axe, Katvanga, Vajra and Abhaya while his five left hands hold Snake, Matulunga fruit, Nilotpala, Damaru, Rudraksha rosary and Varadam. The consort of Sadasiva is goddess Gayatri who is often known as Manonman in agamic texts. She is sometimes depicted having two arms and residing in the lap of Sadasiva.