Gajasurasamhara

Gajasurasamhara is the fierce form of Shiva who slew the elephant demon Gajasura, symbolizing the destruction of ignorance, pride, and bestial tendencies. The myth appears in the Shiva Purana (Rudra Samhita, Sati Khanda) and the Skanda Purana (Maheshvara Khanda). According to the Shiva Purana, the demon Gajasura, a devotee of Shiva, performed severe penance and obtained a boon that no one could kill him except someone who could match his elephantine strength. Empowered by this boon, he terrorized the worlds. The gods sought Shiva's protection.

Shiva manifested the Gajasurasamhara form, engaged Gajasura in combat, and after a fierce battle, pierced him with his trishula, tore open the demon's belly, and danced upon him. Shiva then flayed the demon and wore the elephant's hide as a cloak, signifying his transcendence over animalistic qualities. Iconographically, Shiva is depicted with eight to sixteen arms, holding weapons such as the trishula, damaru, and khatvanga, with a fierce expression and matted hair flying. He performs the tandava dance of destruction on the demon's body. The elephant skin is draped over his shoulders, sometimes shown as a cape.

This form is closely associated with the Chidambaram temple in Tamil Nadu, where the cosmic dancer Nataraja is also venerated. Regional traditions, especially in South India, celebrate Gajasurasamhara in temple sculptures and festivals. In the Skanda Purana, the episode is linked to Shiva's victory over the demon's pride, teaching that even devotion can become a source of ego if not surrendered. The form is meditated upon for removing obstacles caused by ignorance and arrogance. The mantra 'Om Gajāsurasaṃhāra mūrtaye namaḥ' is chanted for protection and spiritual strength.

Dancing form killing the elephant demon. Eight to sixteen arms. Wears the elephant's skin. Fierce expression, trishula piercing the demon.