Dear Devotees,
We have all seen this image in our temples. What does it signify? In his book "Myths to Live By", Joseph Campbell tells an interesting story from Hindu mythology which is highly symbolic of the devilish nature of the ego-self in us that we all have to overcome: (http://home.comcast.net/~surfings/Cogitation/DevilsMask.htm ); he refers to the figure as as Kirtimukha. Kirtimukha is represented as a face
personifying ferocity with protruding eye-balls, stout horns, wide opened mouth
suggesting a roar and canine teeth protruding out of it. This terrifying face of
Kirtimukha stares at us everywhere in our temples -- on the ramparts, the
Gopurams and even from the center of the arch over the idol that we worship in
the Sanctum Sanctorium. The face is perhaps symbolic of our thoughtless pursuit
of worldly possessions and pleasures even at the cost of damaging and destroying
ourselves. The intention behind placing this figure
ubiquitously in our temples may be to remind us constantly : "You know
this face very well; it is the likeness of your own mind with its unbridled
passions and aggressive desires. Like this demon, you too have a
voracious, unlimited appetite for wealth, power, glory and the pursuit of
pleasure. You have become acquisitive, arrogant and cruel even like the
demon's nature. You have to be truly aware of this and of the raging fire
residing in you which is consuming you. Put out this fire before it is too
late. Only then can you really see/experience the Lord in the idol whom
you have come to worship, and realize true happiness and
Bliss." The account given by Joseph Campbell seems to be taken from Sivapuranam. Since the image appears in all temples, including Sri Vaishnava temples, what is the original source and significance of this image? krishnaswamy m.k.
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