Trilocana

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Trilocana (Skt., ‘three-eyed’). Epithet of Śiva in Hinduism. According to Mahābhārata, Pārvatī, his consort, covered his eyes in play, and a burning third eye burst forth in his forehead. Śiva is often portrayed with a third eye, surmounted by a crescent moon, and he uses it destructively—e.g. of Kāma, for evoking amorous thoughts in Pārvatī. The ‘third eye’ is also claimed by adepts, especially in Tibet, to give spiritual vision: see ŪRṆĀ.