Ashtamurti

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Ashtamurti

Siva is spoken of as being in eight forms (Ashtamurti). The eight forms of Siva are the five
elements, the sun, the moon and the priest who performs sacrifice.
Vishnu appeared in the Mohini form after the churning of the milk-ocean. Siva embraced
Vishnu in that form. Sasta is the offspring of Siva and Mohini. Sasta is called also by the name
Hari-Hara-Putra or the son of Hari and Hara.
Appar wanted all Saivas to regard Vishnu as only another aspect of Siva.

According to Appar, there are three aspects of Siva. (1) The lower Siva who dissolves the
world and who liberates Jivas from their bondage. (2) The higher form is called Parapara. In this
form Siva appears as Siva and Sakti (Ardhanarisvara). It has the name Param-Jyoti. Brahma and
Vishnu were not able to comprehend this Jyoti. (3) Beyond these two forms is the Param, or the
ultimate being from whom Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra originate. It is purely the Saiva form. It is
formless. It is the Sivam of the Saiva Siddhanta. It is Para Brahman of the Upanishads and
Vedantins.
The Mahavishnu of Vishnu Purana corresponds to Param of Saiva Siddhantins. Narayana or
the higher Vishnu corresponds to the Param-jyoti of Appar or Saiva Siddhantins. The lower Vishnu
does the function of preservation. He corresponds to the lower Siva.
What is the inner meaning of all the Saiva allusions about Vishnu worshipping Siva and all
the Vaishnava allusions about Siva worshipping Vishnu? The lower Siva must take Narayana, the
Parapara or Param-jyoti as his Superior. The lower Vishnu must take Param-jyoti or the Parapara as
his Superior. The higher Vishnu and higher Siva are identical. They are inferior to Param, the
Highest.
In that highest condition called Siva Mukti, there is no duality. No one can see anything.
One merges himself in Sivam or the Highest. If you wish to see, you will have to come to the stage
immediately below the Highest.
The Siva Murti or manifestation is inferior to the real ‘Sivam’ which is formless.
According to the Saiva Siddhanta philosophy, the Tattvas are reckoned as ninety-six. They
are as follows:
24 Atma Tattvas, 10 Nadis, 5 Avasthas or conditions, 3 Malas or impurities, 3 Gunas
(Sattva, Rajas and Tamas), 3 Mandalas (Surya or the sun, Agni or the fire and Chandra or the
moon), 3 humours (Vata, Pitta and Sleshma), 8 Vikaras or modifications (Kama, Krodha, Lobha,
Moha, Mada, Matsarya, Dambha and Asuya), 6 Adharas, 7 Dhatus, 10 Vayus, 5 Koshas and 9
doorways. The twenty-four Tattvas are the 5 elements (Bhutas), 5 Tanmatras (Sabda, etc.), 5
Jnana-Indriyas, 5 Karma-Indriyas and 4 Karanas (Manas, Buddhi, Chitta and Ahamkara). All these
96 relate to the body. Over and above these 96, there are the 5 Kanchukas or coverings. They are
Niyati, Kaala, Kala, Raga and Vidya. The five enter the body and cause weariness to the Tattvas of
the body and afflict the body.