lion - "five-faced"

[Maheswaran Nair]

Hello,
Sabdakalpadruma says-pancam vistrtam ànanam yasya simhah.In the figure of a lion what is comparatively the most prominent and broad is its face.And the least in size is its kati or loin.That is why the loin of beautiful woman is compared with that of lion-mrgaraajakatii.   
K.Maheswaran Nair
Professor of Sanskrit & Director
Centre for Vedanta Studies
University of Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram 
Kerala,India
----- Original Message -----
From: Eva De Clercq <Ev.DeClercq at RUG.AC.BE>
Date: Friday, January 10, 2003 6:58 pm
Subject: lion - "five-faced"

> Hello,
> 
> Do any of you have any references to why a lion is often called 
> "five-
> faced", paJcànana?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Eva De Clercq
>