The bewildering Bhikshatana Shiva (Lord as a wandering ascetic), is a depiction of his Lila described in Skanda Purana.
To teach to sages of Deodara forest about the veil of Maya that continued to allude to them despite their Yajnas and worship, Shiva took the form of a beautiful wanderer, seeing whom the wives of the sages were enchanted.
The residents of the forest saw a bare ascetic, with not a hint of sensuousness yet exceedingly beautiful.
Kaala- death and time adorned Mahakala (he who reigns over death and time) as the skull tucked in his head. Having no control over Adideva (who is beyond time), the time represented by the serpent is elated to become his ornament, wrapped around his graceful waist as a band.
Shiva’s third eye rests upon his bow-like eyebrows, complementing his meditative eyes and inwardly smiling lips that animate the entire composition. Fine jeweled ornaments and rudraksha bead rosaries adorn Bhikshatana Shiva, with Yajnopavita or sacred thread elegantly wrapped around his torso. The contrasting attributes continue in the stance of Shiva- left leg firmly rooted on the ground suggesting stillness and right raised gracefully, expressing activity.
The damru in his hand is a symbol of the origin of the Universe and the Trishula represents its annihilation. To his left stands a regally attired Gana or attendant with a bowl of sweets on his head, while Shiva holds a piece of flesh in his right hand, attracting a shwan or dog who jumps to take a bite. Bhikshatana is one of the many perplexing forms taken by Shiva, to swiftly break the boundaries of dualities that stop the devotee from seeing the truth of the cosmos- that life and death, beauty and fear, creation, and destruction are one.
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