Ishana is the guardian of the Northeast direction, a duty he inherited from Soma. It makes him a member of the Dikpala (guardians of the cardinal directions) located in the northeast. In the Vastusastra, the northeast corner is referred to as “Isana”.The physical element of space is a manifestation of Ishana.
He is believed to be an incarnation of the god Shiva and is also often referred to as one of the eleven Rudras. He is venerated in Hinduism, some schools of Buddhism and Jainism.
Isana also has some similarities with the Samhara Bhairawas and is thus part of the Astabhairawas.
The name Ishana has its roots in Sanskrit, where Is denotes “lord” or “possessor of power.”
Iconography
Isana is depicted as having three eyes, with a serene appearance, and fair skin, dressed in white cloth and tiger skin. On his head is a jata-makuta decorated with a crescent moon.
He can be depicted riding a white ox, or simply sitting in the padmasana posture, but sitting on an ox is more common.
When depicted with only two arms, the hands appear to be holding a trident and a kepalala , or the other hand (usually the left) is depicted in the varadamudra gesture. However, when depicted with four arms, the two front hands are depicted playing the veena while the two back hands are in the varada and abhayamudra poses.
When depicted in the form of a linga along with the other Pancabrahma, the face faces upwards but is not carved.
A verse in the Ligga Purana states that Isana has three legs, seven hands, four horns, and two heads, while a verse in the Siva Purana states that he “resembles pure crystal”.
Mythology
Ishana is a form of Lord Shiva, and the Vishnu Purana describes the origin of Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma tried many attempts at creation but was unsuccessful. He meditated with fervor for a child, after which a child sprang forth from his forehead and divided itself into a male and female part. The male part started crying inconsolably. On being asked the reason for crying, the child said it did not have a name, at which Brahma named him Rudra – the one who howls. However, Brahma had to give him seven more names – for the seven more times that the child cried, giving Shiva his eight forms: Rudra, Sharva, Bhava, Ugra, Bhima, Pashupati, Ishana, and Mahadeva.
