Yu.E. Berezkin, E.N. Duvakin

Thematic classification and distribution of folklore and mythological motifs by area

Analytical catalogue

Introduction
Bibliography
Ethnicities and habitats

I79. Kirtimukha. .17.23.26.27.

The

monster is decapitated or loses its body. His head is depicted on temples and vessels (narrative texts and/or iconography).

South Asia.Ancient India (Skanda Purana) [The moon was the cup from which the gods drank amrita; Rāhu took a sip, but Vishnu cut off his head, his head remained immortal; when the star swallows, it immediately comes out; King Jalandhara ascetically obtained power, established his own order in the universe, sent R. demanding that Shiva give his wife Shakti; from a place on his forehead between his eyes, S. released a lion-headed demon in the form of an emanation; J. rushed to S., asking for protection; the demon asked for another prey in this case, for he was insatiable hunger; S. invited him to eat his own limbs; he ate himself whole, only his face was left; S. called him his beloved son, the Face of Glory (kīrttimukha); ordered him to stay at his door; who did not honors K., does not honor S. either; in Hindu temples, K. - apotropes]: Zimmer 1946:175-182.