An ordinary seeker may not understand that why Lord Shiva is interested in his recognition as Khatvangi, by holding a single leg of a wooden cot in his hand. If there were four legs of the cot, it could be assumed that a wooden cot would be made out of it in future for leisurely purpose. But a single leg proves nothing. Even scriptures do not describe any of its weaponry use. Trident is already there as a weapon, which is infallible. Yes, one intention is perceived here that this wooden leg can be used for hand-rest during chanting with rosary. But that is also done occasionally, so what is the secret behind constant keeping of a wooden leg?

Purports of Bhaskar Roy unveil this secret— “When Brahma spoke untruth, then you chopped off his fifth head. It did not caused death of Brahma, so no sinful reaction could effect you. Even then you took this wooden pole in hand as a punishment, just to teach the world that one should atone after committing offence. In spiritual science, wooden pole is a sign of pure goodness. Thus you are called as Khatvangi, because you possess pure-goodness-expanding potencies.”

Lord is almighty, still by atonement he follows scriptural injunctions to set an example in the world. Shat-Rudra-Samhita states—

ब्रह्महत्यापनोदाय व्रतं लोकाय दर्शय।
चर त्वं सततं भिक्षां कपालव्रतमाश्रितः॥

Purport: Constantly living on alms and holding skull and wooden leg in hands will eliminate the sin of Brahma-hatya, killing of a holy man. The Shanti-Parva chapter of Mahabharata is also a proof in this regard—

कपालपाणिः खटवाङ्गी ब्रह्मचारी सदोत्थितः।
पूर्णैर्द्वादशभिर्वर्षैः ब्रह्महा प्रतिमुच्यते॥

Purport: The offence of Brahma-hatya is nullified by a twelve year long commitment of strict celibacy, with a skull and wooden leg in hands.

In spandvaartik section of Mahimnah Stotram, Swami Kashikanand Giri has translated the word ‘Khatvang’ as ‘Purushartha’, that means most desirable.

कांक्ष्यमाणांगहेतोरप्यर्थोऽयं हि लभ्यते।
खट्यते पुरुषार्थत्वात् कांक्ष्यते पुरुषैरिति॥

Other spiritualist translate ‘Khatvang’ as ‘Turiya Avastha’. This world is set within four stages namely Jagrita(Awakening), Swapna (Dreaming), Sushupti (Sleeping) and Turiya (Transcedental). These are like four legs of a cot, on which the cot stands. The world is similar to a cot. Shiva stays beyond three stages, and he is fixed in the forth- one called ‘Turiya’. Thus he holds only a single leg of the cot, so he is called Khatvangi.

Acharya Madhusoodan Swami, in his interpretation of Mahimnah Stotram, has mentioned the ‘Prakriti’ as Khatvang. Prakriti is sustained by Lord Maheshwar, so he is called Khatvangi.

Shri Swayamprakash Yati says that a leg is a leg, as long as it is fixed to a cot. When it is separated from a cot, it is no more a leg. Similarly Jagrita, Swapna and Sushupti stages are legs of the world in practical, but Turiya is a leg for lip-service only, because it is not fixed in the cot, rather it is in hands of Shiva. Turiya stage is not different to Shiva, therefore Khatvang is identical with Shiva. Vedic hymns sing—Shivam Chaturtham Manyate (Mandukya 7).

Param-Purushartha (ultimate goal) is most desirable, so it is also called Khatvanga and Shiva is called Khatvangi because he supports it. Adi Shankaracharya offers wonderful prayers to Khatvangi—

याः स्वस्यैकांशपातादतिबहलगलद्रक्तवक्त्रं प्रणुन्न-
प्राणं प्राक्रोशयन्प्राङ् निजमचलवरं चालयन्तं दशास्यम्।
पादांगुल्यो दिशन्तु द्रुतमयुगदृशः कल्मषप्लोषकल्याः
कल्याणं फुल्लमाल्यप्रकरविलसिता वः प्रणद्धाहिवल्ल्यः॥

Purport: Ravana was performing severe austerities and finally he started offering his heads, one by one, to please Lord Shiva. His body was smudged with blood and his life air was about to leave. Most merciful Lord forbade him from head-cutting and being pleased to his devotion He offered him many boons. Ravana got puffed-up by these benedictions, and just to check his vigor and strength once he started lifting Kailash mountain, which is the abode of Lord Shiva. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva stabled the mountain by the thumb of his feet. In such pressure, the fingers started crying as they were cursing Ravana for his rashness. May those spotless and ornamented fingers of Lord Shankar get pleased upon you. Desire to attain the ultimate goal is the true form of worship of Khatvangi.