Ishana
Encyclopedia
Īśāna has its roots in the word "ish" which means the invisible power that governs the universe. The wielder of this power is "Īśāna". It is synonymous with Ishwar which means 'The Lord'. In Hindu
Scriptures this is a name given to Shiva
. As per Hindu scriptures Shiva
has 5 heads each denoting one of the 5 tattvas (elements) namely Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Ether (also called as Sky-element or aakash-tattva in sanskrit
) that make up the universe. This 5th head of Shiva
faces the upward direction, towards the sky.
Īśāna signifies the subtle ethereal form of Shiva
that represents transcendental knowledge. This dimension is reinforced by Vaastu Shastra which says that Ishanya-disha (northeastern direction) represents Prosperity and Knowledge. So Īśāna also has a symbolic meaning. In Hindu
customs, North represents wealth and happiness while the East symbolizes knowledge and peace; Īśāna is a combination of both. It is also considered to be the name of the god of Vastu Śāstra.
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-associates with Rishi,Muni,Jnani,yogi-represents air 5)Isana-internal-aspect that conceals-associated with all that exist-represents ether
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Scriptures this is a name given to Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
. As per Hindu scriptures Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
has 5 heads each denoting one of the 5 tattvas (elements) namely Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Ether (also called as Sky-element or aakash-tattva in sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
) that make up the universe. This 5th head of Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
faces the upward direction, towards the sky.
Īśāna signifies the subtle ethereal form of Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
that represents transcendental knowledge. This dimension is reinforced by Vaastu Shastra which says that Ishanya-disha (northeastern direction) represents Prosperity and Knowledge. So Īśāna also has a symbolic meaning. In Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
customs, North represents wealth and happiness while the East symbolizes knowledge and peace; Īśāna is a combination of both. It is also considered to be the name of the god of Vastu Śāstra.
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-associates with Rishi,Muni,Jnani,yogi-represents air 5)Isana-internal-aspect that conceals-associated with all that exist-represents ether