SADASHIVA is the philosophical aspect of Shiva. Mahesha is the penultimate materialization of the transcendent god. Mahesha is the fully formed version of Sadashiva. Shiva worshiped as Sadashiva was prevalent during the rule of the Chola kings in South India. In Siddha writings , Mahesha is the ultimate material form of the god who manifests himself partially in the form of Sadashiva, as well as in more transcendental forms such as the Linga.
In the Southern tradition, it is in the Lingam form that Shiva has his five faces and that in his ultimate manifestation he is the lingam. The lingam is the Jyoti, or the potential flame, which represents panchabhutas, the five cosmic elements or the constituents of the cosmos. Thus, it is out of him that the cosmos is born. In another tradition, Sadashiva is conceived as Eaasan, Ishan, or as Panchavaktramatrinetram. This is a combination of Tatpurusha, Vamadeva, Aghora, Sadyojata and Ishan, representing respectively wind, water, fire, creative function and space. Thus again Shiva's five heads manifest the five cosmic elements and functions.
Panchamukha Shiva, also known as Panchanana Shiva, is an image or idol of Lord Shiva with five faces. As five is the sacred number for Lord Shiva, five mantras and syllables represent him. These five mantras also signify the five heads of Shiva. Each head has a particular name and specific Shakti energy is associated with it. Puranas describe these five aspects of Shiva as the five elements, the five senses, the five organs of perception, and the five organs of action. ISHANA: Also known as Sadashiva, Ishana Shiva is associated with Anugraha Shakti (power of blessing). TATPURUSHA: AGHORA: VAMADEVA: Also termed as Vishnu, Vamadeva Shiva is associated with Stithi Shakti (power of sustenance).
SADYOJATA: Also named as Brahma, Sadyojata Shiva is associated with Srishti shakti (power of creation)
