Shiva is commonly represented as linga (generally, a form
with a conical base and a cylindrical top referred as Shivling). The lingas
belonging to different periods and regions, vary in size and shape.
Lingas can be termed as Shaiva, Pashupata, Kalamukha,
Mahavrata, Vama and Bhairava and can be typified as samakarana (worshipped by
Brahmins), varthmana (by kshatriyas), sivanga (by vaishyas) and swastika (by
others).
Lingas may be chala (moveable) or achala (immovable). The chala
lingas are of many types – mrinmaya or clay lingas; lonaja or metal lingas;
ratnaja or made of precious or semiprecious gems; daruja or wooden lingas.
Among the Tamils of the Sangam age, the linga was worshiped
in the form of stump of wood, known as kandu; sailaja or stone lingas; kshanika
made of rice, cow-dung, rudraksha seeds, grass, flowers or jaggery. These
lingas are made for a particular occasion and are disposed of after the event.
Among the achala lingas, the svayambhu (the one which occurs
naturally) is the most sacred. If the swayambhu linga is cracked, it is mended
by tying gold or copper wires around it.
The other achala lingas are daivika lingas, which are of the
shape of a candle flame and have a rough surface dotted with trident-shaped
scars; ganpatya lingas resembling the cucumber or wood-apple; and spherical
arsa linga are set up and worshiped by sages. The common achala lingas are the
manusa lingas, made as per religious texts. The height of the linga is
determined by the breadth of the sanctum, the breadth of the door, the breadth
of the prasada, the height of the adhastana, the height of pada, the length of
the hand, the inch-length, the height of the yajamana, and the tunga of the
linga. Based on this, the linga can be uttama, madhyama, or adhama )or
combinations of these three number nine).