Majority of Shivling worshipped in temples and sacred places
have pots hanging on top of the Shivling. A hole is made in the pot and water
drips continuously on the Shivling. There is a symbolism attached to the water
dripping from the pot. Legend has it that the water in the pot is meant to cool
Shiva of the effects of drinking the halahala poison during the Samudra
Manthan.
Symbolically the water dripping from the pot indicates that
life is always about movement. There is no stagnation. If we become stagnant
then we rot and this is against nature.
Life also ebbs out slowly like the water dripping from the
pot. The short period that is available should be used to attain self
realization.
Each moment in our life is like the water drop, we should
dedicate it to the supreme truth. Perform our dharma by submitting all actions
to the supreme truth.