Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva The word liṅga refers to a symbol used in the worship of Śiva and is used thoughout Śaiva literature, such as the sacred Āgamas. The list of sixty-eight svāyambhuvaliṅgas and presiding deities (e.g., Mahādeva) is found in the commentary on the Jirṇoddhāra-daśaka by Nigamajñānadeva. These names represent his various attributes.Ģ) Mahādeva (महादेव) is the Sanskrit name of a deity presiding over Vārāṇasi, one of the sixty-eight places hosting a svāyambhuvaliṅga, which is one of the most sacred of liṅgas according to the Śaivāgamas.

Mahadeva in Shaivism glossary Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivismġ) Mahādeva (महादेव, “Supreme among gods”):-One of the eleven epithets of Rudra, as adressed to in the second chapter of Śrī-rudram. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature. Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. It should be adorned with all ornaments and with garlands composed of all flowers and it should keep their front right hand in the abhaya and the front left hand in the varada poses, while it should carry in the back right hand the paraśu and in the back left hand the mṛga. It should be draped also in white clothes and be standing erect ( samabhaṅga) on a padmapīṭha. The images of this aspects of Śiva should have three eyes, four arms, jaṭāmakuṭas and be of white colour. His son is called Budha.Ģ) Mahādeva:-First of the eleven emanations of Rudra ( ekādaśa-rudra), according to the Aṃśumadbhedāgama and the Śilparatna. The corresponding name of the consort is Rohiṇī.

This aspect became the presiding deity over the moon. Mahadeva in Shilpashastra glossary Source: Wisdom Library: Elements of Hindu Iconograpyġ) Mahādeva (महादेव):-One of the eight names of Rudra, given to him by Brahmā, according to the Pādma-purāṇa.

Hara mahadeva meaning