Bhikshatanar and Annapoorni at Lepakshi and Nanguneri

Bhikshatana murthy and Annapoorni

At Lepakshi one of the most exquisite carvings on pillar is the depiction of the Bhiskatana scene.

Lord shiva disguised as  bhikshatanar approaches Parvati and seeks alms. Parvati, rushes from her bath to offer the ‘mendicant’ some rice. To test her devotion, the Lord dislodges her attire. The steadfast Parvati, is unaffected and continues with her task. The Lord was highly impressed and Parvati came to be known as Annapoorneswari.

It is interesting to note that it is the mendicant Bhikshatanamurthy, also known as Kankala murthy, who wears the sandals. Are there any other aspects of the Gods which are depicted with a footwear? 

I located another tiny image depicting the same episode  from the roof beam of Nanguneri temple near Thirunelveli .

Bhikshaatana scene in Nanguneri temple roof panel

There is another version of the story of Bhishatanar.A group of leading sages were performing great yagna and other austerities. While doing this, they become very arrogant and egoistic. To teach them a lesson, Shiva appeared as an attractive naked mendicant. The wives of the sages while giving him alms, became enchanted and started following him. The sages realised what was happening and apologized to the Lord. The Nanguneri panel probably depicts this versions as there are more than one woman. 

I found this newly sculpted pillar with Bhikshatnar at Mahabalipuram school of craft. 

Lepakshi Temple.

Lepaskhi  is situated about 135 Kms North of Bangalore, in the District of Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. It is an ideal one-day outing for those interested in history, heritage and archaeology in addition to the spiritually inclined.

The small town is famous for the Veerabhadra swamy temple and the monolithic Nandi.

The earliest inscription about the temple dates to 1533 C.E. Folklore takes it to the Treta Yuga when Lord Rama visited this site. It is here that Jatayu attained moksha . The name Lepakshi is said to be derived from ‘Laya Pakshi’ (unconscious bird). Another version attributes the etymology to ‘Le Pakshi’, meaning ‘Arise, Bird’ uttered by Rama.  There are also a Ramalingam and a Hanuman Lingam installed by Rama and Anjaneya respectively.

The entire temple complex is built on a monolithic convex rock shaped like a tortoise.- Kurma Saila. The original temple had seven enclosures, but only two survive now. The rest are encroached by residents and part of the town. The Nandi was originally in the sixth praakaram.

Some of the attractions here are the Nandi, The balancing pillar, the murals on the ceiling, kalyana mandapam, Ganesha, Sri Kalahasti, Sita’s paadam, Naga Lingam, Bhikshatanar, Mohini, etc. I shall try to showcase some of these in these blogs, in installments.

More Mahishasura mardhinis

Kailasanatha Temple,Kanchipuram 8th Century?

Baijnath Temple, Himachal Pradesh 

Markandeya

Shiva rescuing Markandeya from death - from a pillar in Sree Mallikeswara Swami Temple, Linghi Chetty Street, Mannadi, Madras (Chennai)

Mrikandu Rishi and his wife, Marudmati were devotees of Lord Shiva. They were childless for many years and prayed to Shiv to bless them with a son. Shiva offered them a choice of a virtuous and accomplished son who will have short life span or a dunce who will have long life. Mrikandu and wife opted for the former. Soon they were blessed with a son, who was named Markandeya.

Markandeya, too was a great devotee of Shiva. At the age of 16, Yama's messengers came to take away Markandeya. Undaunted, Markandeya hugged the shivlinga and continued his prayers to shiva. As the messenger was unable to fulfil his task, Yama himself came to take away Markandeya. He threw his lasso to capture the boy. The rope looped around the shiva lingam. Shiva came out of the lingam in all his fury and smote Yama down. Shiva is also referred to as 'Kaalaantaka' (destroyer of death) for this reason and this episode is referred as Kaala Samhara.

Realising that there won't be the natural cycle of life and death without Yama, Shiva revived him on the condition that the boy will live on in his youthful glory as if he is always 16.

The episode is belived to have taken place in Tirukkadayur. (Thirukkadavur). People celebrate their birthdays, shashtiabdapoorthi, Bheema santhi, Shatabhishekam etc in this place to bestow longevity and good health.

Another pillar carving of the Markandeya and Yama episode from  Sree Vaidhyanatheswara Temple, Talakad, Karnataka

Stories in Stone

Ravana shaking Mount Kailash

Ravana Shaking Kailash, a pillar in Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakkal.

After severe penances and conquests, Ravana became very strong and arrogant. He went to Himalaya, defeated his half-brother, Kubera and usurped his Pushpaka Vimana . On his return, he was overflying Mt. Kailash. Nandi advised Ravana to circumambulate Kailash so as not to disturb Shiva and Parvati.

The arrogant Ravana said, “Who is Shiva?” and tried to shake the mountain. Though Parvati and her entourage were frightened, Shiva nonchalantly pinned down Ravana with his toes. Ravana wailed for mercy. Having humbled Ravana, Shiva released him. After this experience, Ravana became a great devotee of Shiva.

In another version, it is believed that Ravana’s mother, Kaikasi, herself a great devotee of Shiva, wanted to go to Mt.Kailash. Arrogant Ravan said that he could bring Kailash to her and attempted to lift it and transfix it in Lanka.

Epilogue: Ravana after becoming a devotee of Lord Shiva sang in His praise. Since he had no musical instruments to accompany his singing, some believe, he cut off one of his heads and an arm to make a stringed instrument with his thigh nerves. This is also believed to be the origin of musical instruments. In fact, an instrument called Ravanahatta (Ravan’s hand) is still in use in some parts of Rajasthan.

Other sculptures: the other famous figure of Ravana and Mt. Kailash is in Ellora (Cave 16)

More pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterbug_iyer/