The most popular form of worshipping Lord Shiva in Hinduism is in the Linga form. It is known as Shivling or Shivalinga. The Linga symbol is an attempt to give form to the formless, referred as Supreme Being or Brahman in Hindu religion. When a Linga is installed on a Yoni, it represents the union of Shiva and Shakti – the beginning of creation.
When our ancestors stood in crude nature, what bewildered him most would have been the regenerative method – his own and those of animals around him. This must also have been the time when he was looking to give an expression to the Supreme Power. It is only natural that the male reproductive organ appeared to him as the ideal symbol as it represented strength and regenerative power.
Linga in Sanskrit means symbol or sign. One of the first uses of the term ‘linga’ in association with Shiva is found in the Shvetasvatara Upanishad – it says that Lord Shiva, the Supreme Being, has no linga (sign or symbol). In simple terms, it is impossible to define Brahman or that is alinga.
Now it is not possible for a common man to pray to Brahman which is beyond any characteristic. Human beings need a form to worship. In Sanatana Dharma, each individual has the freedom to define the Supreme Being or Brahman in the most convenient way he/ she is comfortable.
When our ancestors stood in crude nature, what bewildered him most would have been the regenerative method – his own and those of animals around him. This must also have been the time when he was looking to give an expression to the Supreme Power. It is only natural that the male reproductive organ appeared to him as the ideal symbol as it represented strength and regenerative power.
The worship of Linga is not exclusive to Hinduism. Menhirs and Phallus have been worshipped by many ancient societies.
The Mahabharata says ‘Know everything, which is male, to be Ishana, and all that is female to be Uma; for this whole world, animate and inanimate, is pervaded by these two bodies. Shiva’s divine Linga is worshipped by the Gods, seers, Gandharvas and Apsaras.’ (Chapter 7, section 20, verses 22)
The greatness of this form of Shiva is based on the fact that the children bear neither the lotus symbol of Brahma nor of Vishnu’s discuss…but one marked with the male and female organs, the linga and yoni, originated from Mahadeva and Devi (Chapter 13, section 19, verses 78)
Puranas and Epics in Hinduism narrate in detail why Shiva is worshipped in the form of linga. It is said that the Supreme Being appeared before Lord Brahma and Vishnu in the form of a ‘pillar of fire’, which had no end and beginning. It is one among the many symbols of Brahman. There are numerous other incidents in the Puranas including the famous Deodar forest incident in which the wives of saints are attracted to Shiva and he castrates himself and leaves the Linga on earth as his symbol.
Many of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu is known to have worshipped the Shivlinga including Lord Ram, Parashuram and Krishna . When the mind is clear and is without prejudices, we will realize that the Linga form of Shiva is the most innocent form of Brahman that our ancestors had realized. It is pure and they got it from pure nature. Many of the forms that we worship today are the reflections of our mind, which is corrupted by ego, society and education. It is not pure.
That is why many people mention that Linga worship is a crude method and they are ashamed of it. Many are comfortable with the beautiful form of Brahman – that includes the handsome human form of Shiva, Vishnu and other gods. There is nothing wrong in worshipping Shiva and Vishnu in the handsome form because Brahman can be worshipped in any form.
An ancient Greek philosopher had said that if horses were to worship a god it would have the shape of a horse. All attempt whether it is Linga, human form or animal form is an attempt to give form to the indefinable Brahman.
We then strongly defend that my form is the true form and the other form is wrong without realizing that everything is Brahman.
76 comments:
That was truly a good explanation of the existence of god's forms.Every human should know these facts which is not only good for him/her but for all.A very good post!Have a gud day!
we all have forgot the bhraman and keep seeking and argueing over diffrent visual perspective we have given to divine. why dont we realize that we can make a pot a hut a toy or various objects out of mud no matter what we make its mud that shapes everything. gold in form of a bangel or neckless will always remain gold.
I was listening to Lingashtakam and was reading this article. Now my mind has become clear and no clouds. I am adicted to shiv slokas now.
regards
Rajesh P
I am addicted to shivslokas now. it gives peace of mind when you listen to the mantras.
regards
Rajesh P
At last I got the correct answer for my questing which I was asking for so many people. Thanks a lot for the description.
Hari.Pune
This was very informative. Being a hindu reading this has made me respect hinduism a lot more than I did before. I was unable to answer questions regarding the worship of lingam from my friends following other religions. Now I know. Thanks!
icame 2 know from your book that the reason behind linga worship was a cursed by bhirgu bcoz its written out there one day god sent bhirgu 2 check out which of the god is greatest vhshnu brahma siva the min birgu went 2 siva house he was not allowed 2 enter the house bcoz siva was engaged hn sexual activities at this time bhirgu cursed siva that from now on u will b worship in the form of linga
I am One without a second-Ekameva Advitiyam.
I am one without doubts,My form is formless,
Causeless,Beginningless,self-e xistent,Ever free,ever pure.
"It is not one, for how can there be a second distinct from it? Aloneness cannot be attributed to it nor even not-aloneness. It is neither a void nor a non-void. When it does not admit of a second entity, in what manner can I speak about it though it is established by all the Upanishads.?"
I am Shiva,
the Auspicious, the Only One
There is another story doing rounds. The consort of Lord Shiva, durig one of her incarnations as as daughter of Prajapati, immolated herself in the Havan Kund - angry at her husband not being invited and herself being ridiculed by her father for attending the function un-invited. When news of her death reached Lord Shiva, He was quite furious and killed Prajapati, the Father-in-law. However, Shivji's monther-in-law did all the rituals to invite her, like greeting with the traditional aarati with lamps, camphor etc. However, Shivji was so furious that He lost His mind and showed his Lingam to be worshipped. Taken aback, and feeling deeply humiliated, the mother-in-law cursed him and said be it so. May be it was His wish. After this happening, Lord Shiva is believed to have taken the form of Lingam.
Excellent post !
Sincerely
Kalpesh Sharma
The parts of the body used to perform sexual acts occupy the minds of almost everyone. The sexual parts of the body are needed to procreate but they can cause addiction to the copulation process. If not this then addiction to the masturbation process can occur. Yet if not this then obsession with sexual fantasy and addiction to such thoughts can dominate the mind. By observing the penis and vagina one can get over being squeamish about such matters and realise that in this dimension the sexual parts has a much deeper meaning then mere personal enjoyment. There is more beyond the frivolous.
Just as the person looking through a bynoculous cannot see himself a person throughout his life is unable to see/know himself. If a person is brought inside deep in a dense forest and left alone if he is intelligent, he can escape from the forest by running out along the same route he came in. In the same way, if we are intelligent enough to understand the futility of running after the glitterings of this finite world and escape to our original infinite state we can also use the source through which we r born. An individual is born by the coupulation of reproductive organs of man and woman. Concentration on Shiva Linga enables one to locate Satyan Shivan Sundaram - ULTIMATE TRUTH:MOST AUSPICIOUS:MOST BEAUTIFUL - Satyam=that which exists throughout in the past present and future for ever.
Thus, our ancestors were true intellectuals too besides innocents and loving the whole universe.
Excellent thoughtful words.Thank you
Shiv is associated with the destructive aspect of nature. Shiv as lingam with yoni can make life so can be associated with the creative aspect of nature.
The symbolism and theory about lingam and yoni are further details along with other similar sexual mystic ideas in human cultures of the divine nature of life and its place in the cosmos.
The sword needs a sheath, the hollow a decking, the money a pocket/pouch, the house a dweller, the existence a presence.
Shiv is a wanderer, nomad, and ascetic. Shiv practices different exercises to keep fit and kept a simple diet. Shiv is wild and rough and naturally attracted women who were part of a regulated society with different daily activities unlike Shiv who did not have that many responsibilities and had a more carefree lifestyle. Shiv wisely did not respond to the interest.
One should practice abstinence or safe sex when not family planning.
I did lot of study and research on "Why Linga" is worshiped ?
Here is my comment.
1. In the world the most important thing is regeneration or reproduction.
2. Birth is said to be the most sacred thing which living organism can have.
3. No matter how much intelligence is with any living organism, the living ones always try to protect the birth of their next generation. E.g. Even the birds and snakes find out the safest place to put their eggs. All living bodies try to protect and generate the next generation.
4. With one drop of sperm, the whole body of baby is formed - Life is born. (Amazing ..!). The regeneration happens only when one achieve the highest satisfaction of "Samaagam".
4. The highest point of meditation is when your mind is at zero- means one has no thought in his/her mind. The highest point of empty mind is achieved when one has "Samagam"
Shiv Ling consist of "Shishna - Male reproductive organ" and "Yoni - Female reproductive organ".
The reproduction is done only when you achieve "Swarga-Sukh".
The Linga and Yoni is treated as most sacred thing in the world because it is reproductive organ of the body. The reproduction itself is most sacred part of life. SO
"Shiv-Linga" is representing the "Linga" means the energy which put "LIFE" into the body. That's why it is worshiped.
I cant believe this :| is this the meaning for the linga aakaram?
no i dont accept; there might be some eternal meaning
@Anonymous
It is necessary to understand 'meaning' When the rishis put forth their experiences of truth in verse form, to them their meaning was complete. Each of us who reads them understands them in accordance to our half-baked experiences and so ascibe to it our meanings. The greater the experiences of the seeker of truth the more profound the meaning becomes (do not understand as more complex beacause the truth is always extremely simple). The phallus and the yoni to me is a symbol of dvaitam in advaitam. Put together they are a singularity out of which all dualities arise :)
It just neans God is not male or female like human beings. It is human being's assumption that God is like Human. God is unisex. It takes time to come to that understanding.
this form of workship signifies that god has no beginning or ending
This still leaves me with questions as different people have different understanding of lingam as symbol of shiva.
But If I apply my own thinking to this ,the various sculptures of love on temples in elora also signify the purity and sanctity of love in our history.It was considered so pure that it exists on temples.This definitely hints towards the belief of lingam and yoni being considered as the two pure forms of life generation.Just some thoughts..
This was an amazingpost..and equally good comments..
Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Shiva is only a devotee of Krishna. Vaishnavanam Yatha Shambu. Means He is the greatest of all vaishnavas.
Y`awl, wai ta see knt.
Lets understand the philosophy in it..Its nt meant for literary translations.
How the crescent got into Islam,from the Heads of
Lord Shiva!
When un-manifest energy begins to manifest itself, the first form is always the Linga. The word Linga means the form - elliptical form .It means 'mark' is sanskrit - MARK OF DIVINITY - hence it is the elliptical form of Divinity and not to be confused with anythig else such as phallus. Why we are referring to it as the form is: According to Yogic tradition the first form in the existence is always a ellipsoid or Linga. Linga means a perfect ellipsoid. The first form of creation is an ellipsoid. Today modern cosmologists are saying that the core of every galaxy is in the form of an ellipsoid. There are many pictures that show just this. Yoga has always been saying, the first and final form is a Linga. If you become meditative, your energies will naturally take the form of a Linga. The first form is a Linga. The final form before dissolution is also a Linga. So a Linga is held as a doorway to the beyond, whether you go this way or that way. Both ways, before dissolving into nothingness, the final form is always a perfect ellipsoid.
Shiva is not a sectarian deity as preached by Vaishavasim and other cults but name of the Supreme truth - the eternal consciousness . Offcouse both Hari and Hara are one and the same and point to the same divinity.As for other interpretations of Linga, it has been due to denegration of Veda and Sanskrit during foreign rule and more so by missionaries. Every attempt was made to make Veda look like a book of idiots full of non sense. Westeners have always pointed out some verses in Rig Veda (to prove their point about linga worship which has been scientifically & logically refuted by many Vedic scholars like Acharya Ram Sharma of Gayatri Parivar. I 'm saddened by reading posts by so many educated people about their so called interpretations. Plz treat such issues with more sensitivity. Stories written by Vaishanavism and other cults to denegrate others and prove their deity as Supreme need not be treated as truth. If one more generation learns untruth , it will pass it on to future generation and this will be more dangerous than the damage done by invaders and missionaries.
oh this is really awakening....i never knew that there is something like this...but truly it is very much important to learn about our hinduism philosophies, traditins and culture.
great truths, great thinking, great awareness. never read posts like these. The truth is 'GOD is beyond human perception'. Be good, Do Good, respect every life on earth.
The above commentary on the Linga form of Lord Shiva is totally absurd. This is a stupid explanation. Please read Sri Ramana Maharishi's discourses. Linga form represents Paramatma as a tower of Knowledge ( visually represented as a fire )See articles on Arunachala mountain/ temple.This is the tower of knowlwdge which will be seen by anyone who has attained Samadhi.The statements about the rest are absurd.
True Concept of Shiva Linga:
Linga refers to Stambha(pillar). Shiva Lingam represents the beginningless and endless pillar (Stambha), symbolizing the infinite nature of Shiva. The Sanskrit term "Lingam" meanings, including a mark, sign or characteristic.
{Linga is the infinite pillar connecting Bhoo loka to Swarga loka)
There is a hymn in the Atharvaveda which praises a pillar (Skt: Stambha), and this is one possible origin of linga-worship.
In the Linga Purâna the same hymn is expanded in the shape of stories, meant to establish the glory of the great Stambha and the great nature of Mahâdeva.
The Concept "Lingam as phallus and is often represented with the Yoni" is Wrong. This wrong concept appeared due to wrong interpretation of Sanskrit texts while translating to English by foreigners.
and this Linga-Yoni concept is not accepted by Rushis and many Spiritual leaders.
i agree to vvtt.According to me the ONLY truth of life is the existence of THE ALMIGHTY(ISHWAR HI SATYA HAI).How n in which form you worship him, it does not matter.What matters is your ultimate faith in him. by being true to yourself,being just, trying to overcome our negative points, being good to others, is the best way of worshiping him, as the old proverb says-HELP OTHERS N GOD WILL HELP YOU!.so worshiping idols is not the only form to worship GOD, HE is in you, so try to ENLIGHTEN YOURSELF.
M. K. V. Narayan distinguishes the Siva-linga from anthropomorphic representations of Siva, and notes its absence from Vedic literature, and its interpretation as a phallus in Tantric sources.[17]
Ramakrishna practiced Jivanta-linga-puja, or "worship of the living lingam".[18][19] At the Paris Congress of the History of Religions in 1900, Ramakrishna's follower Swami Vivekananda argued that the Shiva-Linga had its origin in the idea of the Yupa-Stambha or Skambha—the sacrificial post, idealized in Vedic ritual as the symbol of the Eternal Brahman.[5][6][20] This was in response to a paper read by Gustav Oppert, a German Orientalist, who traced the origin of the Shalagrama-Shila and the Shiva-Linga to phallicism.[21] According to Vivekananda, the explanation of the Shalagrama-Shila as a phallic emblem was an imaginary invention. Vivekananda argued that the explanation of the Shiva-Linga as a phallic emblem was brought forward by the most thoughtless, and was forthcoming in India in her most degraded times, those of the downfall of Buddhism.[6]
According to Swami Sivananda, the view that the Shiva Lingam represents the phallus is a mistake;[22] The same sentiments have also been expressed by H. H. Wilson in 1840.[23] The novelist Christopher Isherwood also addresses the interpretation of the linga as a sex symbol.[24] The Britannica encyclopedia entry on lingam also notes that the lingam is not considered to be a phallic symbol;[25]
i am a devotee of Lord Shiva and my comment is Lord Shiva can bless even Demons and dont want to do it in his original form, so transformed to linga which even today we are worshipping him in linga means we too have demon acts like kama, krodha, lobha, moha madha, mathsabha and thats y shiva want to be in linga form to people who worship him with negative thoughts and bad desires....kc
This is the correct way of believe not yoni story wrongly posted in the entire internet.The word "Lingam" means "mark" or "sign". The Shiva Lingam is a symbol for the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. Generally it signifies the magnificent light that is the indication or identity of Lord Shiva. This light or flame is solidified and makes the Shivlinga. The lower base of the structure is said to represent the lamp and the upper section, the flame.
As a total structure, the lingam is believed to contain the Holy trinity (trimurti - Brahma-Vishnu-Maheshwara) of Hinduism. The Hindu religion asserts that the god Brahma occupies the base layer of the lingam that touches the ground; the central position belongs to Lord Vishnu while the uppermost position is reserved for Lord Shiva.
Rama
If just because the upper part of shiva lingam resembles man genetilia, do u also call and treat the donkey like a horse because of the similarities in the features? I urge everyone to do a proper and holistic studies before posting a misleading statements. As my fellow dismisers, shiva lingam is a mark which can be signified as Trimurthis or root, base and head of a plant. Root (Brahma) holds the creation ground, base (Vishnu) is the nourishment center via leaves and stems, and of course head (Shiva) is the beautiful expression of regeneration in the form of flower (withers and spread seeds).
Last night I was listening to a scholar, and he said that shiva and shankara are two differemt entities.
The almighty Shiva is the creator of the cosmos; he is the creator of the universe. It is often seen that many people confuse Shiva with Shankar.
Shankar is the destroyer while Shiva is the creator, Shiva is the formless, he is denoted by the shiv linga but Shankar is the physical formation of Shiva itself.
Some scholars have even said that the Shiva is the supreme god, and he is the creator of the Trimurti Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
Ridiculous explanation!!!!
@ Above anonymous...What is so wrong. Truth is hard to digest. If you got a better explanation write it here and discuss.
Thy why when ignorent peoples when they read this tread they sure will run away and confiuse.So much of different explenation.
Dear Anonymous
We are not confused this is freedom ...freedom to express one's thoughts....This is greatness of Hindu culture that all people can define god and be heard and discussed. That is why our is the most tolerant religion.
In sanskrit " lim gamayati iti linga " means journey to highest. It is the shape of shiv ling, which can contain maximum energy. that is why the atomic reactors made up of this shape.
Even understanding takes different shapes and forms in the mind, as we move from lower to higher understanding. So the Shiva lingam also symbolizes our understanding of God, with the elipse being next to the highest and the formless being the highest. Sathya Sai Baba explained the lingam as an elipse without beginning nor ending. There was no authority on Hindu scriptures higher than Sathya Sai Baba Baba.
LORD WAS CURSED BY BRIGHU RISHI THAT HE WILL BE WORSHIPPED IN FORM OF LINGAAM TO REMIND HIM OF THE CURSE EVERY TIME WHEN SOME ONE DO PUJA OF LINGAAM
2.ALSO HE WAS CURSED BY BRAHMINS OF VARANASI WHEN HE WAS ROAMING IN NAKED FORM IN VERY LOST AND FORGET TO EVEN WEAR TIGER SKIN IN GREAT LOSS OF HIS WIFE SATI WHEN SHE THRONG HERSELF IN HAWAN AGNI-KUND IN HER FATHERS GRAND PUJA.SINCE HE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND APPEALING IN THE NAKED FORM ALSO THAT ALL WOMAN EVEN MARRIED WERE ATTRACTED TO HIM SO THEIR HUSBAND CURSED LORD TO TRANSFORM INTO LINGAAM FORM AND IN THAT WAY TO BE WORSHIPPED FOR 100% RESULTS.
very beautiful explaination.... i think god is god... no human can curse god...
it is sad to see some people who cannot understand sannatan dharma,which is basically a form of nature worshiping; will post whatever comments comes to there mind.please donot comment if u dont no.already a huge damage has been caused by missinory whos only target is to convert all adivasi and poor people.hinduism is a open religion everone is invited,no boundries,no restriction, and simplied.
what is the significance of Oohm..
is it true that lingam is worship by muslim in mecca.
With due honor for your interest in the subject I have to tell that you need to gather details from those learned,gurus, then dish out the knowledge. For it can misguide.
Truely Amazing Explanation..For those who criticize the divinity of idol worship, it is your sheer ignorance that you can not understand the supremacy of Lord Siva who represents himself in the form of 'Linga' and conveys the purity of sexuality..Also supreme 'Linga' poses a 'Beware' logo to those who treat sex with contempt and disrespect.. Indian culture symbolizes the purity of husband- wife relation.. Shiv- Shakthi, Ram- Sita are all deific attributes of Indian culture.. Why our country men neglect the purity of our culture.. Where in the world could we witness such awesome beliefs..
Shiv ling = shiv penis or private organ..It does not sound good be its true ..Many our hindus scholars try to avoid such Questions when asked ..
COMPILATION OF FACTS AND CONCLUSION :-
1.)If just because the upper part of shiva lingam resembles man genetilia, do u also call and treat the donkey like a horse because of the similarities in the features?
2.)I urge everyone to do a proper and holistic studies before posting a misleading statements.
3.) As my fellow dismisers, shiva lingam is a mark which can be signified as Trimurthis or root, base and head of a plant. Root (Brahma) holds the creation ground, base (Vishnu) is the nourishment center via leaves and stems, and of course head (Shiva) is the beautiful expression of regeneration in the form of flower (withers and spread seeds).
4.)It is sad to see some people who cannot understand sannatan dharma,which is basically a form of nature worshiping; will post whatever comments comes to there mind.please donot comment if u dont no.
5.)This is the correct way of believe not yoni story wrongly posted in the entire internet.The word "Lingam" means "mark" or "sign".
The Shiva Lingam is a symbol for the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. Generally it signifies the magnificent light that is the indication or identity of Lord Shiva.
6.) This light or flame is solidified and makes the Shivlinga.The lower base of the structure is said to represent the lamp and the upper section, the flame.
Our culture has always given freedom. Unfortunately westerners and invaders took advantage of that and caused enough damage to our culture and religion. As if that was not enough, we are destroying it even further. I only wish the person who posted this article did little more research and approached learned Vedanti's to validate his understanding, before posting this article.
All of us know about Newton and Einstein. But do we all know, that at some point in their lifetimes, they started talking about metaphysics and referred to Religious texts for clues. ( Watch Discovery channel Videos on these Scientists)?
How many of us know that many of the scientists like Carl Sagan, Erwin Schrodinger, Robert Oppenheimer, Nikola Tesla, and David Bohm have turned to vedanta to understand their discoveries?
One of the renowned physicist 'Fritjof Capra' describes modern physics of subatomic particle and compares it with dancing form of Shiva - Nataraja.
"Modern physics has thus revealed that every subatomic particle not only performs an energy dance, but also IS an energy dance; a pulsating process of creation and destruction. The dance of Shiva is the dancing universe, the ceaseless flow of energy going through an infinite variety of patterns that melt into one another. For the modern physicists, then Shiva’s dance is the dance of subatomic matter. As in Hindu mythology, it is a continual dance of creation and destruction involving the whole cosmos; the basis of all existence and of all natural phenomenon. Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shivas in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our times, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance."
All the great scientists across the world, who are actually in the process of giving more meaningful definition to this universe and creation, appreciate our Vedas and the depth of knowledge they carry. And we back home, unfortunately define Shiva Linga as Phallus symbol and cannot accept what our ancestors tried to tell us, that it represents the universe or everything or supreme with No Aadi or Anta.
Please see videos on Discovery channel on Universe, its formation , Shape e.t.c, e.t.c. You may appreciate that it does resemble the shape of Shiva linga (as one friend of ours, earlier commented in this post).
Please read the Book of 'Vedic Metaphysics' by Jagadguru Bharati Krishna Tirtha , to understand what is power of Sanskrit, and How our Rishis passed on great amount of knowledge through these Vedic texts, and how westerners interpreted these Vedas and concluded that they were utter non sense.
Westerners always tried to understand Vedas and Vedic knowledge from the perspective of Empirical science or sensory knowledge and always carried this notion that we were primitive. And during their rule, dumped their very same understanding on natives that our beliefs, philosophy, rituals are all outdated, rather primitive. Unfortunately we are still advocating the same, not understanding that Vedas hold very advanced science, which today's scientists are still trying to figure out. And our Gods are symbolic of that rich Vedic Knowledge.
With more and more scientists turning towards metaphysics, hope we will one day understand that our Mythologies are not just mere stories, our Vedas are not some meaningless texts and our ancestors did not stand bewildered in crude nature, as the author put it.
By the way , how many of us know that there are huge number of creatures that exist in this world, who do not mate physically ,to give birth to their next generation. But When Vedas refer to Hindu Gods as Aajanma Brahmachari's and Brahmacharini's we cannot accept and we limit them to our crude imagination, which is confined by these five senses.
I dont agree with this concept of god having no form and this brahman concept. and your explanation of how our ancestors naively one day decided to think of god in terms of a reproductive organ is not true i believe. God does have a form, you have a form, our earth has a form, our universe has a form. Lord Krishna is the ultimate form of the supreme personality of god himself as mentioned in the bhagvath gita and srimad bagavatham. Stop with this no form brahman concept already.
Dear anonymous...Brahman concept is all encompassing. It is the highest form of tolerance and accommodation of another person's religious views.
Monolithic believes like yours show intolerance. Your comment reflects that intolerance.
This is the difference between Sanatana Dharma and other religions in the world.
Dear People
consider this:
If we cannot resolve the differences among the creations of a single creator, truly can the creator be ever identified????
brahma is not nirakar. brahma has two forms. one form is saakaar as in devine human form, in service of supreme lord, purushottam narayan. and another form is nirakar -as in form for enormus light.which is called as chidakash.it is well explained by lord swaminarayan in his book called vachanamrut,chepter 21(gadhada pratham).i bought it from swaminarayan temple.
The Linga is explained in many way's related with six adharas(centers):Mooladara, swadhistana, manipuraga, anakata, vishuthi and angja(Sahasra is the union of ascending and descending by Grace.The Linga is symbolic expression of that)
1,The cosmic Linga
2,The microcosmic(body) Linga
3,The Sadasiva Linga
4The Atma Linga
5,The Gnana Linga
6,The Sivalinga
1:The cosmic Linga:
The beginning less and endless being manifested Sakthi first and penetrated the cosmic creation with primal power(Sadasiva)
2:The microcosmic(body)Linga
When the awareness comes to the being as 'I am 'the body with five sense perceptions..like seeing,hearing...etc and the attachment with those senses as a gate. And more precisely how mother takes care of her child so as the 'I am' takes care of those five senses and become's a hall of dance.
3:The Sadasiva Linga
Where the Tattva(Truth)formless has been formed,by realizing the animate and inanimate with sources of pleasure,pain and all its combination's penetrated and formed by perceiving within by five senses.
4:The Atma(Soul) Linga
Here the two primal sound(Pranava)OME or AUM 'a' and 'e', awareness of those two primal sound of AUM kara and with the union of Bindu(the reproduction energy which is converted in to ojas by doing Kundalini yoga)union (Atma) self realization takes place.
5:The Gnana Linga
The' being' took the form of stillness as its basic center with five senses and the reasoning mind who adore and self inquiry and surrender to the basic being(which is the feet of holy Sadasiva)will attain realization of that.
6:The Sivalinga
The basic realization of that 'only being 'which took the form as a body, by the Grace of itself make one realize(self realization)attained.
-Anonymous...
No amount of descriptions, commentaries, quotes from Vedas, Rishis, Spiritually awakened souls will suffice the meaning & description of HIS form in this Linga form. One has find out for oneself through contemplation & in meditation, then revelation will be dawned & the soul will realize the true nature of IT!!!
Love hiindu blog
It was very enlightening to read all this. It answered some of the questions I had. One question remains: what does anonymous mean by sanatana dharma being basically a nature worship? I feel this is right, but then, how to practise it in this modern world where nature is more and more despised, especially in the West.
Thank you.
Sharada Priya (a western lady)
As i saw that one of the person has written that shiva and shankar are different. These all are explained by BRAMHAKUMARI that linga is the form of parampita paramaatma shiv and shankar is different from it. They believe in the theory that SHIV & SHANKAR are different. It is bit confusing that shiv and shankar are different.
Nowhere in the Vedas is the word linga equated to phallus. Some spurious puranas written by mischievous authors who donned the robe of Vyasa so their mischief will gain credibility have made this association. As you said at the beginning, linga means just a symbol. An object that denotes Brahman. We humans need concrete models to explain the abstract. Even as a child the letter A has to be associated with 'Apple' so the alphabet can be grasped.
Also nowhere in Saiva siddhanta, the symbol has been taken to mean phallus. Nor the aavudaiyar on which the linga stands is taken to mean yoni.
All Indologists have an agenda to paint our spiritual symbols in a mundane way.
One should just look at the Vedic Mantras: Atmaaya Namah, Atmalingaya Namah, Paramaaya Namaha, Paramalingaaya Namaha. How can Atmaa have a phallus?
Linga means penis and yoni means vagina in Sanskrit.
Now What??
the meaning of linga and yoni is not what you say, this its another misconception spread by unknowing ignorant people obsessed with sex
just wanna remind all the people who give their own point of view should keep in mind that they are talking about supreme power no power can be distinguished between lord shiva or shankara or vishnu etc... they are the form and name that humans have given to GOD to any human had never seen and pridicted just accourding to the extent of their thinking...even i stand on it that any human in the world dont have the correct answer of how long ago any first particle came into existance, then i just dont understand what gave them such knowledge to give the form of its creater...
I just want to ask one thing that why should we not worship the Yoni?
SHIVA, the creator, protector and destroyer, is a concept of the cosmos. The shiva-lingam is a microscopic scale model of the cosmos. When this model was used to explain creation, it became an object of prayers. Then people added functional and decorative parts and it became the Shiva-lingam as we see it today. Having an object of prayer, people had to ascribe their own meanings and it was called a "phallic expression of creation" by someone who could not see beyond the christian concept of one God creating everything. If the ancient people had to create an object representing coitus, they could have done a much more appealing one, since they did not suffer from the feeling of guilt associated with sex in those days 3500 years back. If anyone sees the shiva-lingam which has been dated 2500 years back, he can see that it does not have a pedestal like in present day shiva-lingam. It is actually a disc with a thinner edge that is curved slightly and a cylindrical shape with the ends being smaller and the middle stouter, inserted into it. There can be no better representation of the cosmos. To say that the ancient people who wrote the vedas were perplexed by the reproductive act is funny.
This is the reason why Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Lingam. Lord Brahma is creator, Lord Vishnu is preserver and Lord Shiva is the destroyer. Since Lord SHiva has 3rd eye which is eye of destruction, Lord Shiva is worshipped in Linga form since Lord Shiva wants to bless us. But Shiv destroyer also means destroy all the bad elements such as anger, lust, greed and anything negative or bad. Since Lord Shiv is pure, and we worship with pure mind, he is worshipped in the form of Linga.
SHIVA SHAKTI OM KARA IS ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN THE UNIVERSE.. IT IS UNSTOPPABLE AND UNSEPERABLE...
JAI DEVON KI DEV MAHADEV!
I wonder whether they are facts or assumptions ?? It only reflects the carnal nature of man and his intent to worship a process of creation is mindless act.
Man is supposed to woship god in truth & spirit. I still can't understand we people should worship linga, or shivalinga. .why not shiva himself in totality. ?
People above have used many adjectives. . seems they don't really get what they mean !
Most interesting to read the comments. Ancient primitive religions generate the most convoluted selffulfilling sacraments.
Real understanding is a process of thinking, obvious to the spiritually enlightened. The path is the illusion of reality perceived through inteligent conteplations, the deeper and clearer the understanding of the ethereal nature of existence births the seeds of wisdom. What is unknowable can't be learned.
this is interesting yet quite strange. though i understand that there are people in the world who have their beliefs and we should all respect them, no matter if we think they are wrong or not 'normal' for us - to hindus, we probably arent 'normal' to them so there isnt just one form of normality.
SHIVA SMARANAA ( PANCHAKSHARI ) MOST IMPORTENT IN THE HUMAN LIFE
KOMMU RAJESH
To know the meaning of shivling do meditation of Lord Shiva say Om Namaha Shivay from your soul you will get the answer.om
Thank you for all the explanation about Hindu, i have been left out for so many years to know what hinduism about.Thank you hindu blog.
I love Hindu and the way of our life. live Hindu, support Hindu and always united as a Hindu
MAY GOD BLESS ALL THE HINDUS IN OUR UNIVERSE
Ragavan
January 09/01/2013
This is incorrect. Please read Padma Puran 1st Canto Chapter 16 and 17. The answer lies there.
During perhaps in the post-Vedic era, the word “shiva” (in use already as “auspicious” in Vedic literature including the Rig Veda, e.g. RV: Book 6 - Hymn 75.10) was first used in conjunction with “linga” (meaning “symbol” in Vedic context, such as the Gita: Ch. 14 – V. 21) giving rise to “shiva linga” (meaning “auspicious symbol”). “shiva linga” (representing the live flame symbolically) was created to replace the live fire / flame in yajna so that the worship could be performed anywhere, anytime without using live fire).
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