Vamadeva

In Hinduism, Vamadeva (Sanskrit: वामदेव) is the name of the preserving aspect of the God Siva, one of five aspects of the universe he embodies. On a panchamukha (five-faced) Sivalingam, Vamadeva appears on the right hand side. This face/aspect of Śiva is considered the peaceful, graceful and poetic one — the lord of the female aspect of it is associated with water.

Vamadeva is also the name of a rishi, credited with most of Mandala 4 of the Rigveda.

The Brahman splits into male (Parashiva) and female (Parasakti) and manifests as the universe. The parashiva has five aspects:

1. Sadyojata — west-aspect that propagates manifest brahman; associated with brahma; represents earth.
2. Vamadeva — north-aspect that sustains manifest Brahman; associated with Vishnu; represents water
3. Aghora — south-aspect that rejuvenates manifest Brahman; associated with Rudra; represents fire
4. Tatpurusha — east-aspect that reveals; associated with Rishi, Muni, Jnani, yogi; represents air
5. Isana — internal-aspect that conceals; associated with all that exist; represents ether.

Etymology

The name comes from Sanskrit vāma = "left", which is the seat of the Śakti and normally associated with beauty and the female, and deva = "God".

As a God's name it is a karmadharaya and means "beautiful God".

As a man's name it is probably a bahuvrihi and means "he whose God is beautiful".

See also

• Vamanadeva

References

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola