(“skull-bearer”) Any
ascetic who uses a human skull as a begging bowl or as a piece of ascetic gear
is known as a human skull ascetic.
Devotees (bhakta) of the deity Shiva in his terrible aspect
are ascetics.
The skull is a sign that, like Shiva, they have transcended
all worldly worries of cleanliness and impurity (ashaucha), as well as
traditional norms of what is and is not proper.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.
