Kalantaka
Encyclopedia
Kalantaka is an aspect of the Hindu god Shiva
as the Conqueror of Time and Death, itself personified by the god Yama
. He is depicted as defeating or killing Yama when the latter comes to take the life of Shiva's devotee Markandeya
. Shiva is often depicted as dancing on Death, personified by Yama. The chief temple dedicated to Kalantaka is situated at Thirukkadavoor, Tamil Nadu
(South India), however the Kalantaka icon is found sculpted in many Shiva temples in the South.
" meaning image or icon may be added to these names e.g. Kalarimurti or Kalantakamurti. Shiva is also known as Mrityunjaya ("Victor over Death").
(sect dedicated to Shiva). The following tale is from the Thirukkadavoor shrine, which is dedicated to Kalantaka. The sage Mrikandu prayed to Shiva at Vilvavanam for a son. Shiva offered him a choice: a virtuous son who would live 16 years, or 100 long-lived, foolish sons. Mrikandu chose the former and accordingly had a son, whom he named Markandeya. As Markandeya neared the end of his fifteenth year, the god Brahma
taught him a mantra
that conquered death and blessed him with long life. As per Brahma's advice, Markandeya prayed to Shiva, worshipping the linga (Shiva's aniconic symbol) south of Vilvavanam, later identified with the present Thirukkadavoor. The gods pleaded with Shiva to extend Markandeya's life and Shiva consented.
As per his destiny, the messengers of Yama came to take away Markandeya's soul, but failed to approach him as he ceaselessly repeated Shiva's name. Yama came himself to take Markandeya's soul and told Markandeya to stop his worship and come with him as per his fate. Markandeya refused, warning Yama that he was committing an offence against Shiva. Yama, however, proclaimed that not even Shiva could stop him. The wrathful Yama assumed a fearsome form and threw his noose to capture Markandeya, who hugged the linga tightly. When the noose touched the linga, Shiva emerged from it and struck Yama with his Trishula
and kicked his chest, killing the Lord of death.
Sages, gods and other beings appeared to praise Shiva, who blessed Markandeya to remain a youth of 16 for seven kalpa
s (aeons). As no one remained in the world to make beings die, the earth became burdened by evil beings. The earth, the gods, and Markandeya invoked Shiva to revive Yama. Once again, Shiva touched Yama with his foot, bringing him back to life. A sequel from Thiruvanmiyur to this tale narrates how Shiva resurrected Yama on the request of the gods and Yama worshiped Shiva at Thiruvanmiyur
to atone for his sin. The Thirukkadavoor and Thiruvanmiyur shrine myths narrate how Yama promises never to touch Shiva's devotees. Shiva's devotees on death are directly taken to Mount Kailash
, Shiva's abode, on death and not to Yama's hell.
The legend establishes that the true devotee achieves freedom from death and samsara
by worship of Shiva. It also demonstrates that egoism and pride (here of Yama) are always humbled. The superiority of Shiva and his victory over his own nature - Shiva is himself identified with death - is also ascertained. The legend of Thirukkadavoor lays down the foundation rules of Shiva
, but restricted mainly to this region. A relief of Kalantaka in Chidambaram Temple
is been turned into a shrine and is offered special worship on Kartik Poornima
, the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik
. The Shiva temple at Thirukkadavoor near Mayiladuthurai
is considered as the place where Shiva defeated Death. Thirukkadavoor or Thirukadaiyur or Tirukkatavur or Tirukkadavur or Katavur (as named in Tevaram) is one of the Atta-virattam, the eight sites of the heroic acts of Shiva.
In Tevaram
poetry, Shiva's feet as often praised as the ones who kicked Death, alluding to the Kalantaka legend. In the Tevaram, Campantar
sings how Shiva helped the devotee who served him by kicking Death and decreed that Death shall not touch his devotee. Appar narrates how Markandeya worshipped Shiva at Thirukkadavoor with devotion and the Lord appeared to save him from Death.
texts. The right foot should be rested on a lotus-pedestal (padma-pitha) and the left leg lifted to kick Yama, just touching his chest. The leg positions are reversed in some textual descriptions. Sometimes, Shiva is depicted as rising from the linga that Markandeya is worshipping and his right leg is buried in the linga while the left one raised to strike Yama. Shiva, depicted red in anger, should have a third eye
on the forehead, a jatamukuta (a crown of matted hair), lateral tusks and four or eight arms.
In the four-armed form, one of the right hands holding a Trishula should be raised pointing to Yama or sometimes even piercing his torso or neck, while other right hand should hold in a parashu or be in varada mudra (boon-giving gesture). The left hands should be held in vismaya mudra
(hand gesture of astonishment) and suchi mudra (needle gesture). In the eight-armed form, the right arms hold a trishula, parashu, vajra
and khadga (sword). The left arms hold a khetaka (shield), pasha
(noose) and in vismaya and such mudras. Sometimes, he may even hold a kapala or a mriga.
Yama is often depicted as bowing to Shiva with folded hands and holding a noose in between them. He is depicted trembling with fear, with legs wide apart suggesting that he is trying to steady himself after being kicked by Shiva. Another configuration portrays him lying fainted on the ground after being kicked by Shiva. Shiva may be depicted as standing or dancing on the fallen Yama. Yama is sometimes mistaken as an apasmara
(a dwarf) in this configuration and the image as that of Shiva as Nataraja
, the Lord of Dance who is depicted trampling the apasmara.
Markandeya is usually depicted as terrified by the sight of Yama. Seated near the linga, he worships it with flowers or bows the rising Shiva, his saviour. Markandeya may be also depicted hugging the linga or just standing in a corner with folded hands.
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
as the Conqueror of Time and Death, itself personified by the god Yama
Yama (Hinduism)
Yama is the lord of death in Hinduism, first recorded in the Vedas. Yama belongs to an early stratum of Indo-Iranian theology. In Vedic tradition Yama was considered to have been the first mortal who died and espied the way to the celestial abodes, thus in virtue of precedence he became the ruler...
. He is depicted as defeating or killing Yama when the latter comes to take the life of Shiva's devotee Markandeya
Markandeya
Markandeya is an ancient rishi from the Hindu tradition, born in the clan of Bhrigu Rishi. He is celebrated as a devotee of both Shiva and Vishnu and is mentioned in a number of stories from the Puranas...
. Shiva is often depicted as dancing on Death, personified by Yama. The chief temple dedicated to Kalantaka is situated at Thirukkadavoor, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
(South India), however the Kalantaka icon is found sculpted in many Shiva temples in the South.
Names
Kalantaka is also called as Kalakala (the Death of Death), Kalasamhara (slayer of Death), Kalari (Foe of Death) and Kalahara or Kalahari ("one who takes away death") and Markandeyanugraha ("bestowing grace upon Markandeya"). The suffix "murtiMurti
In Hinduism, a murti , or murthi, or vigraha or pratima typically refers to an image which expresses a Divine Spirit . Meaning literally "embodiment", a murti is a representation of a divinity, made usually of stone, wood, or metal, which serves as a means through which a divinity may be worshiped...
" meaning image or icon may be added to these names e.g. Kalarimurti or Kalantakamurti. Shiva is also known as Mrityunjaya ("Victor over Death").
Legend and its message
The legend of Shiva as Markandeya's saviour is "the major myth of salvation" in Tamil ShaivismShaivism
Shaivism is one of the four major sects of Hinduism, the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. Followers of Shaivism, called "Shaivas," and also "Saivas" or "Saivites," revere Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shaivas believe that Shiva is All and in all, the creator, preserver, destroyer,...
(sect dedicated to Shiva). The following tale is from the Thirukkadavoor shrine, which is dedicated to Kalantaka. The sage Mrikandu prayed to Shiva at Vilvavanam for a son. Shiva offered him a choice: a virtuous son who would live 16 years, or 100 long-lived, foolish sons. Mrikandu chose the former and accordingly had a son, whom he named Markandeya. As Markandeya neared the end of his fifteenth year, the god Brahma
Brahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
taught him a mantra
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation"...
that conquered death and blessed him with long life. As per Brahma's advice, Markandeya prayed to Shiva, worshipping the linga (Shiva's aniconic symbol) south of Vilvavanam, later identified with the present Thirukkadavoor. The gods pleaded with Shiva to extend Markandeya's life and Shiva consented.
As per his destiny, the messengers of Yama came to take away Markandeya's soul, but failed to approach him as he ceaselessly repeated Shiva's name. Yama came himself to take Markandeya's soul and told Markandeya to stop his worship and come with him as per his fate. Markandeya refused, warning Yama that he was committing an offence against Shiva. Yama, however, proclaimed that not even Shiva could stop him. The wrathful Yama assumed a fearsome form and threw his noose to capture Markandeya, who hugged the linga tightly. When the noose touched the linga, Shiva emerged from it and struck Yama with his Trishula
Trishula
A trishula is a type of Indian trident but also found in Southeast Asia. It is commonly used as a Hindu-Buddhist religious symbol. The word means "three spear" in Sanskrit and Pali....
and kicked his chest, killing the Lord of death.
Sages, gods and other beings appeared to praise Shiva, who blessed Markandeya to remain a youth of 16 for seven kalpa
Kalpa
Kalpa is a small town in the Sutlej river valley, above Recong Peo in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, Northern India, in the Indian Himalaya. Inhabited by Kinnauri people and famous for its apple orchards. Apples are a major cash-crop for the region...
s (aeons). As no one remained in the world to make beings die, the earth became burdened by evil beings. The earth, the gods, and Markandeya invoked Shiva to revive Yama. Once again, Shiva touched Yama with his foot, bringing him back to life. A sequel from Thiruvanmiyur to this tale narrates how Shiva resurrected Yama on the request of the gods and Yama worshiped Shiva at Thiruvanmiyur
Thiruvanmiyur
-Transport:The area is easily accessible by Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses and has a sprawling bus terminus. Bus Routes connecting Thiruvanmiyur with other places in Chennai are: 1, 1A, 1C, 1D, 6D, 22A, 23C Extn., 29M,29C Extn., 41C, A47, 47A, 47D, M1, M49, M7, C51, T51, M23, M19, M70,...
to atone for his sin. The Thirukkadavoor and Thiruvanmiyur shrine myths narrate how Yama promises never to touch Shiva's devotees. Shiva's devotees on death are directly taken to Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...
, Shiva's abode, on death and not to Yama's hell.
The legend establishes that the true devotee achieves freedom from death and samsara
Samsara
thumb|right|200px|Traditional Tibetan painting or [[Thanka]] showing the [[wheel of life]] and realms of saṃsāraSaṅsāra or Saṃsāra , , literally meaning "continuous flow", is the cycle of birth, life, death, rebirth or reincarnation within Hinduism, Buddhism, Bön, Jainism, Sikhism, and other...
by worship of Shiva. It also demonstrates that egoism and pride (here of Yama) are always humbled. The superiority of Shiva and his victory over his own nature - Shiva is himself identified with death - is also ascertained. The legend of Thirukkadavoor lays down the foundation rules of Shiva
Adoration
Shiva's portrayal as Kalantaka is popular in South IndiaSouth India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
, but restricted mainly to this region. A relief of Kalantaka in Chidambaram Temple
Chidambaram Temple
Thillai Natarajah Temple, Chidambaram is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the town of Chidambaram, East-Central Tamil Nadu, South India. The temple is known as the foremost of all temples to Saivites and has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two...
is been turned into a shrine and is offered special worship on Kartik Poornima
Kartik Poornima
Kartik Poornima is a Hindu holy day celebrated on the full moon day or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik . It is also known as Tripuri poornima and Tripurari Poornima. It is sometimes called Deva-Diwali or Deva-Deppawali - the festival of lights of the gods...
, the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik
Kartika (month)
Kartika , is a month of Hindu and Bengali calendars, named after the Hindu god, Kartikeya....
. The Shiva temple at Thirukkadavoor near Mayiladuthurai
Mayiladuthurai
Mayiladuthurai , formerly known by its Sanskrit names Māyavaram and Mayūram is a town in the Nagapattinam District of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Mayiladuthurai taluk of Nagapattinam district and is the second-largest town in the district...
is considered as the place where Shiva defeated Death. Thirukkadavoor or Thirukadaiyur or Tirukkatavur or Tirukkadavur or Katavur (as named in Tevaram) is one of the Atta-virattam, the eight sites of the heroic acts of Shiva.
In Tevaram
Tevaram
The Tevaram denotes the first seven volumes of the Tirumurai, the twelve-volume collection of Tamil Saivite devotional poetry. All seven volumes are dedicated to the works of the three most prominent Tamil poets - Campantar , Appar and Cuntarar...
poetry, Shiva's feet as often praised as the ones who kicked Death, alluding to the Kalantaka legend. In the Tevaram, Campantar
Campantar
Tirugnana Sampantar was a young Saiva poet-saint of Tamil Nadu who lived around the 7th century CE....
sings how Shiva helped the devotee who served him by kicking Death and decreed that Death shall not touch his devotee. Appar narrates how Markandeya worshipped Shiva at Thirukkadavoor with devotion and the Lord appeared to save him from Death.
Iconography
The description of Kalantaka is found in AgamicAgama (Hinduism)
Agama means, in the Hindu context, "a traditional doctrine, or system which commands faith".In Hinduism, the Agamas are a collection of Sanskrit scriptures which are revered and followed by millions of Hindus.-Significance:...
texts. The right foot should be rested on a lotus-pedestal (padma-pitha) and the left leg lifted to kick Yama, just touching his chest. The leg positions are reversed in some textual descriptions. Sometimes, Shiva is depicted as rising from the linga that Markandeya is worshipping and his right leg is buried in the linga while the left one raised to strike Yama. Shiva, depicted red in anger, should have a third eye
Third eye
The third eye is a mystical and esoteric concept referring in part to the ajna chakra in certain spiritual traditions. It is also spoken of as the gate that leads within to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness...
on the forehead, a jatamukuta (a crown of matted hair), lateral tusks and four or eight arms.
In the four-armed form, one of the right hands holding a Trishula should be raised pointing to Yama or sometimes even piercing his torso or neck, while other right hand should hold in a parashu or be in varada mudra (boon-giving gesture). The left hands should be held in vismaya mudra
Mudra
A mudrā is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. While some mudrās involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers...
(hand gesture of astonishment) and suchi mudra (needle gesture). In the eight-armed form, the right arms hold a trishula, parashu, vajra
Vajra
Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond...
and khadga (sword). The left arms hold a khetaka (shield), pasha
Pasha (Hinduism)
Pasha is a Sanskrit word meaning noose. In Hindu mythology it is the weapon of the Vedic deity Varuna. It is also one of the weapons of the Hindu god Ganesha....
(noose) and in vismaya and such mudras. Sometimes, he may even hold a kapala or a mriga.
Yama is often depicted as bowing to Shiva with folded hands and holding a noose in between them. He is depicted trembling with fear, with legs wide apart suggesting that he is trying to steady himself after being kicked by Shiva. Another configuration portrays him lying fainted on the ground after being kicked by Shiva. Shiva may be depicted as standing or dancing on the fallen Yama. Yama is sometimes mistaken as an apasmara
Apasmara
According to Hindu mythology, Apasmara was a dwarf who represented ignorance and epilepsy. During the cosmic dance of tandava by god Shiva in the form of Nataraja - the Lord of Dance, Apasmara was crushed by the right foot of Shiva and was killed. This mythological dwarf is generally depicted with...
(a dwarf) in this configuration and the image as that of Shiva as Nataraja
Nataraja
Nataraja or Nataraj , The Lord of Dance; Tamil: கூத்தன் ;Telugu:నటరాజ is a depiction of the Hindu god Shiva as the cosmic dancer Koothan who performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for god Brahma to start the process of creation...
, the Lord of Dance who is depicted trampling the apasmara.
Markandeya is usually depicted as terrified by the sight of Yama. Seated near the linga, he worships it with flowers or bows the rising Shiva, his saviour. Markandeya may be also depicted hugging the linga or just standing in a corner with folded hands.