Did you know that the Ekamra Kshetra was the knowledge centre for Shaivism in the earlier days? If we study Shaivism & its evolution, there are many stories of different sects & leaders that carried on the rules & principles to the next generations for a long time. It is said that Ekamra also housed many of the leaders and one of them is considered to be the last avatar of Rudra Himself.
The picture that you see above is of someone who has composed himself by a power that transcends what a normal human can behold. Widely known as Lakulisha, he is believed to be the first formal preceptor of the Pashupata sect of Shaivism while some believe that Lakulisha was the founder of the Pashupata sect.
Lakulisha propounded the world-famous Yoga which is part of the Shaivite belief of daily life. The name ‘Lakulisha’ comes from the merging of two words, ‘Lakula’ which means staff or mace & ‘Isha’ meaning lord. The idols & carvings of Lakulisha can be found in Ekamra Kshetra & around various other areas of India along with the staff or mace or club or stick.
Lakulisha, the rejuvenator of different Shaivite sects was a wandering monk who had preserved the ancient occult knowledge. He is also considered as the last 28th manifestation of God Shiva who gathered different Shaivites under one umbrella of Pasupata.
The ancient sculptures of Lakulisha can be seen with an upward standing phallus which is derived as the ascetic manifestation of God. The ithyphallic aspects connote asceticism and conserved procreative potentialities (Brahmacarya), rather than mere eroticism. In the path of Brahmacharya, the erectile penis stands for the complete control of the senses, and for the supreme carnal renunciation. As per Sanyasa dharma, a Yogi never denies sexual urges. However, he transforms & manifests the sexual energies and directs them away from procreation and pleasure towards intuited wisdom, freedom & bliss.
There are also stories that depict the relationship of Lakulisha with Vishnu. According to Vayu Purana and Linga Purana, Hari and Hara made a pact that Shiva would make an appearance on earth during the age of Vishnu’s incarnation as Vasudeva/Krishna. Shiva kept his promise by incarnating Himself as Lakuni or Lakulisha on earth while Vishnu incarnated himself as Vasudeva.
The carvings & idols of Lakulisha can be found in Vaital Deul, Parsurameshwar Temple & other temples of Ekamra Kshetra. Outside Odisha, the idols can also be found in the temples of Kayavarohana and Timberva in Gujarat; Lakulishvara temple in Karvan, in Saurashtra, Gujarat; on the walls of the large hall at Elephanta Caves.
Do you know any other story behind it? Let us know in the comment section below.
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