Panchabrahma
पञ्चब्रह्म
The Five Realities
Panchabrahma refers to the five faces or aspects of Shiva (Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha, Ishana) which correspond to the five elements, five senses, five directions, and perform the five cosmic acts (Panchakritya).
The Five Realities
Panchabrahma represents the fivefold manifestation of Lord Shiva, symbolizing the five essential aspects of existence. These five faces—Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha, and Ishana—each represent a facet of cosmic function and consciousness.
Function: Creation (Srishti)
Element: Earth
Direction: West
Color: White
Quality: Material manifestation
Function: Preservation (Sthiti)
Element: Water
Direction: North
Color: Red
Quality: Beauty and nourishment
Function: Destruction (Samhara)
Element: Fire
Direction: South
Color: Blue
Quality: Transformation and purification
Function: Concealment (Tirobhava)
Element: Air
Direction: East
Color: Yellow
Quality: Individual ego and limitation
Function: Grace (Anugraha)
Element: Ether (Space)
Direction: Zenith (Upward)
Color: Transparent/Purple
Quality: Supreme liberation and knowledge
Each face corresponds to one of the five universal functions (Panchakritya)—creation, preservation, destruction, concealment, and grace. Together, they illustrate the wholeness and omnipresence of Shiva as both immanent and transcendent.