Thread by @sk_diary1

#Sculptures #story #Thread

This is Rishi Bhringi depicted with three legs, pointed beard and having a skeleton-like body.

A great devotee of Bhagwan Shiva.

Pic 1 - one of the pillars in mandap of Thirupporur temple.

Pic 2 -sculpture from Kapaleeshwarar Temple Gopuram

1/n

Story of Bhringi Rishi and why he has 3 legs is an intresting one as it explains the importance of
ShivaShakthi & also teaches Shiva and Shakthi are inseparable.

Bhringi Rishi worshipped Shiva only, ignoring goddess Parvathi(Shakti).

2/n

One day Bhringi along with several other Rishis visited Kailash.All the Rishis worshipped both Shiva & Parvati,did pradakshina around them.
But Bhringi Rishi prayed ,did pradakshina and bowing to Bhagwan Shiva,ignoring Goddess Parvati.

3/n

Same practice continued whenever Bhringi Rishi visited Kailash.Annoyed by his actions, Goddess Parvati wished to teach him that, Shiva and Parvati are one.

Nxt time when rishi came,Parvati sat on left lap of Shiva to avoid him to do pradikshna only around Shiva.

4/n

Seeing this,Bhringi took the form of a bird & flew around Shiva’s head & left Kailash.

Next time when he visited Kalish-Shiva &Shakti together took form of Ardhanarishvara(Shiva’s half as Shakti).On seeing this,Rishi Bhringi used his yogic powers & turned into a beetle/bee.
5/n

He as bee bore hole through navel of Ardhanareshwara & went around Shiva’s half only, avoiding goddess again.Thus the name Bhringi, meaning bee/beetle. Bhringi devotion towards Shiva & ignorant attitude towards goddess enraged her to curse him.
6/n

Even after repeated attempts to make him understand that Shiva &Shakti as one failed.Parvati cursed him to lose the parts of his body received from his mother.
So rishi had lost his blood & flesh ,left with a bare skeletal form.

7/n

Seeing Bhringi unable to support himself,Shiva granted him third leg.Bhringi then realized the fact that Shiva & Shakti are one, apologized to Parvati for his actions.
Seeing merciful nature of Shiva for granting 3rd leg,Bhringi danced out of joy & praised both Shiva &Shakti
8/n

📸 - credit to resp.owners
Source text - based on details abt Bhringi Rishi in hinduismoutlook and TeamGsquare websites

#sculpture #storytimesthread -About Bhringi Rishi and why he has 3 legs.Also about Ardhanareshwara form
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