MADURAI

But the omniscient Lord Siva, knew the truth behind it and cursed Brahma never to be worshipped by anybody in any temple, and debarred the Ketaka flower, which abetted the falsehood of Brahma, as unfit thereafter for worship of Siva. Till now it is doubtful whether Brahma has got any temple of his own. The Ketaka flower is not used in the worship of Siva.

In another pillar the most artistic conception in stone is to be seen where Siva and Parvati are in their abode, the Kailas Mountain. This fine conception indicates that once Ravana the King of Lanka had a desire to decorate his capital with Mount Kailas. Without releasing that Siva and Parvati had their abode in it, he started carrying the mountain on his shoulders. All-knowing Siva knew what was happening at the bottom and pre6sed his toe so that the entire weight of the mountain fell on the shoulder of Ravana,
Ravana realised his folly and prayed to Lord Siva, with his Veena (harp), for mercy.

In another pillar Siva is shown as Ardhanariswara, i.e. half the image is masculine and the other half feminine, with appropriate ornaments for adorning each half. Siva is represented having a male earring in the right lobe and a female earring in the left. The conception is that both Purusha and Prakriti are necessary for creation.

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