Lord Shiva is known for his yogic posture, penance, and serene mind, but his forms and divine plays also include many instances that reflect his divine illusion. One such story is found in the Anushasan Parva of the Mahabharata, where Shiva's five-faced form manifests. He assumed this form not during a war or Tandava, but upon seeing an Apsara (celestial nymph).
This Apsara was Tilottama, created by Brahma himself at Shiva's inspiration. Tilottama's beauty was such that gods, sages, and Gandharvas (celestial musicians) were all drawn to her. And when she came to circumambulate Lord Shiva, Shiva, through his divine play, assumed the five-faced form.
Creation Trembled with Terror of Demons, Form of Beauty Created at Shiva's Inspiration
The Puranas describe that two demons named Sunda and Upasunda spread terror throughout the three worlds with their strength and intellect. Gods, Gandharvas, and Yakshas (nature spirits) all became frightened and approached Brahma. Brahma consulted with Shiva, and at Shiva's inspiration, a solution was devised that would lead these two demons to destroy each other.
For this, Brahma took the essence of the most beautiful objects in the world and created an unparalleled Apsara. She was named Tilottama. Created by assembling beauty bit by bit ("til-til"), this Apsara was so beautiful that even the gods lost their senses upon seeing her.
Tilottama's Birth and Her Purpose
Tilottama's birth had a specific purpose. She was assigned the task of captivating Sunda and Upasunda with her form and beauty, inciting them against each other. Tilottama gladly accepted this task and entered the assembly of the gods.
When Tilottama was circumambulating the assembly, her beauty astonished even the gods, Gandharvas, and Rishis (sages). Her gait, her form, and her radiance became the center of attraction everywhere. All the divine souls present in the assembly were drawn towards that unique form.
Lord Shiva Manifested Four Faces, Became the Five-Faced Form
When Tilottama approached Lord Shiva and began to circumambulate him, Shiva began to manifest one face in each direction to see her from all sides. North, South, East, and West – he showed a new face in every direction. Some stories also mention that he eventually manifested a face in the upward direction as well, assuming the five-faced form.
All the gods present there were astonished to see this five-faced form of Lord Shiva. But when the news of this divine play reached Goddess Parvati, she did not take it lightly.
Narada Told Parvati the Whole Story, The Goddess flared up
Narada Muni, who wanders everywhere, witnessed this scene himself and went and told the whole story to Mother Parvati. As soon as Parvati learned that Lord Shiva had assumed the five-faced form to see an Apsara, she was filled with anger.
In a fit of rage, Parvati placed her palm over Lord Shiva's eyes. As soon as Shiva's eyes were covered, the entire universe plunged into darkness. The radiance of the sun, moon, and fire all vanished. A state of near-apocalypse arose, and the gods began to cry out in fear.
When Light Spread from Shiva's Third Eye
Seeing the darkness in the entire universe, all the gods and goddesses began to implore Parvati to remove her hand from Shiva's eyes. But the angry Parvati refused. Then Lord Shiva revealed the supreme form of his divine play. His third eye opened, and light spread throughout creation once again.
After this incident, Lord Shiva came to be known as Tryambaka and Trinetradhari (the one with three eyes). The glory of his third eye is believed to be connected to this event.
Tilottama Attained Liberation at Hatkeshwar Tirtha
Hearing Tilottama's sorrowful cry, Mother Parvati's heart melted. She asked Tilottama to bathe at Hatkeshwar Tirtha on the Shukla Tritiya (third day of the bright fortnight) of the month of Magha. Parvati herself took her there and had her bathe.
As soon as Tilottama bathed there, her former beauty returned. She reappeared in the same unique form as before. Tilottama happily thanked Goddess Parvati and asked for permission to return to Brahmaloka.
The Consequence of Shiva's Divine Play Fell Upon Tilottama
The effect of Parvati's anger was not limited to the universe alone. She cursed Tilottama, who was standing before her, to become ugly. As soon as Parvati cursed her, Tilottama's beauty vanished, and she transformed into a terrifying form.
Tilottama became distraught upon seeing her new form and began to plead for forgiveness from Mother Parvati. She said, weeping, that she had only appeared to carry out the work of the gods and that she was not at fault.
Tilottama Asked for a Boon, Became a Special Pilgrimage Site
Before departing, Goddess Parvati asked Tilottama to ask for any boon. Tilottama requested that the pilgrimage site where she was freed from the curse become a sacred place providing beauty and marital happiness to all women.
Goddess Parvati granted Tilottama's wish and promised that any woman who bathed at that pilgrimage site would attain beauty and the happiness of a husband. Since then, Hatkeshwar Tirtha has been considered especially sacred for women.
