- Vyaghrapada
Vyaghrapada, that is, one having the feet like a tiger, was one of the mythical
rishi s (sage) of ancient India.The tradition
The legend states that Vyaghrapada was a rishi and he was entrusted with the task of picking up fresh flowers, untouched even by the
honeybee s, for offering to Shiva in his aspect asNataraja in the temple complex ofChidambaram , located in theIndia n state ofTamil Nadu . While plucking the flowers, Vyaghrapada would get wounded on account of thorns and the rough surface. Shiva conferred on him feet of tigers and this ended the sage’s miseries. So armed with the tiger’s feet, the sage easily moved from place to place, including climbing rough trees to pluck fresh flowers untouched even by the honey bees.Iconography
His image and iconography depicts him as a human being but with the legs of a tiger. He is also shown having a tiger-like tail. Generally, he is shown alongside
Patanjali , and both are depicted as offering homage to Shiva in his aspect as Natraja.ee also
*
Tandava Further reading
* [http://moralstories.wordpress.com/2006/07/24/vyaaghrapaada-maharshi/ Vyaghrapada]
References
*"Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend" (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.