Highlights - OM NAMAH SHIVAY - The Infinite Powers of the Linga - The Sacred Jyotirlingas - Rituals Associated with the Lord Shiva Lingam
Summary-
Lord Shiva, one of the Trimurti, is worshipped in the form of a Linga, symbolizing his limitless cosmic energy. The Shiva Linga represents creation, destruction, and ultimate reality. Rooted in Vedanta, Upanishads’ profound wisdom and Puranic stories and philosophical concepts, it is revered as a source of divine wisdom and liberation, with Jyotirlingas across India being sacred pilgrimage sites. In this blog, we look at the tradition of Shiva Linga worship, legends and rituals related to the Lingam that are reiterated even today.
One of the three paramount deities of the Hindu Pantheon, Lord Shiva or “the Auspicious One” is loved and revered in Shaivism (one of the three most powerful groups in contemporary Hinduism) as the Supreme God. In Hinduism, Lord Shiva in his linga form is revered by his worshippers. It is called the Shivling or Shivalinga.
At the point when a Linga is introduced on a Yoni, it signifies the association of Shiva and Shakti - the start of creation. It is found at a temple's focal point, resting in a rimmed, circle molded yoni. This article will explain why Lord Shiva is worshipped in linga form. It will also dive deeper into other significant details about Lord Shiva in Linga form.
“Linga”- means a “sign” or a “mark”, that “proves the existence of a thing”. (Stella Kramrisch in The Presence of Shiva). The term Linga in connection to Shiva appears for the first time in the Shvetasvatara Upanishad, where it is mentioned that “Shiva has no Linga or mark, meaning that he is transcendent, beyond any characteristic.” The Linga thus, is not the body or form of Shiva, but it is the shape in which he pervades the universe as an invisible, eternal power.
Shiva Linga in Purana - Shiva Lingam is the Niraakara or Nishkala (formless, faultless) Shiva, a chinha (mark or symbol) of Brahmarupa (primordial, sovereign form of the supreme being). In the Shiva Purana and Linga Purana, Shiva Linga is mentioned as a combined image of Uma-Parvati, who is represented by the Peetham or the Vedi and Shiva who is presented through the Lingam- “Linga Vedi Uma Devi, Linga Sakshan Maheshwara” (Linga Purana).
Meaning of Shiva Linga - In Hindu tradition, creation (Srishti) brings forth different life forms, all governed by the laws of nature (Prakriti). Every being has certain qualities, and any imbalance—either excess or absence—leads to faults or vices. Shiva, however, exists beyond creation and its end. He is not bound by nature's laws, nor is he defined as good or bad—he simply represents the ultimate truth of the universe. To symbolize this, he is depicted as the Lingam, a form that transcends all natural laws.
As indicated by Hindu culture, at first, when creation was yet to start, there was a fierce disagreement between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu about who is supreme. Lord Mahadev showed up as a little section of fire between them which continued expanding both upwards and downwards. A glorious voice was then heard expressing that whoever between the two was the supreme would find the end of this fire column, for which both Brahma and Vishnu raced to either side of the fire column.
While Brahma rode to the top on his swan, Vishnu traveled to the base where inevitably he discovered that it has no closure and acknowledged his loss. But, Brahma lied that he saw the tip of the section and was penalized for his blatant lie. The column of the fire, which represented the whole universe is venerated as Lord Shiva Lingam, which holds the heavenly grandiose energy.
Even when all other gods are worshipped in their idol form, the reason behind why Lord Shiva is worshipped in linga form is because Lord Shiva Lingam signifies grand heavenly energy. Shiva, the name signifies "one who offers Mangalam (ceaseless goodness)" which is acquired through divine wisdom.
To acquire this wisdom, it is essential to venerate the Shiva linga as Dhyanalinga, which is the perpetual wellspring of energy, proposed to the admirers through its circular structure. In yogic legend, the Shiva linga is viewed as the principal structure to emerge when creation happens, and the last structure before the disintegration of creation.
The term Shiva-Linga is made of two parts, Shiva (Mahadeva, the god) and Linga (mark or symbol). Thus, Shiva Linga is simply a mark or symbol of the essence of Shiva or Shiva Tattva, that can not be depicted in any humanly conceivable form, shape, color or material.
It has been misinterpreted as a “phallus” in the modern sources, but Puranas and other Hindu traditions are clear that Shiva Linga is not a limb or organ, but the massive fire pillar that appeared in front of Vishnu and Brahma, the primordial energy that orgiinates, sustains and destroys the Universe, condensed into a form that could be seen and worshipped by the devotees, for their benefit.
Shiva Linga and statues of Shiva are both worshipped and established in temples across India. The Shiva Purana distinguishes between nishkala Linga and sakal Ver or idol of Shiva, which are divine and benevolent aspects of Shiva for his devotees.
However, there is a story in the Padma Purana that mentions why Shiva is worshipped in the form of Linga, more popularly than his statues. According to the Purana, Bhrigu rishi wanted to test the Trimurti or three Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. He visited Kailasha to meet Shiva, but Nandi informed the sage that Mahadeva was engaged with his beloved goddess Parvati. Seeing this as his disrespect, sage Bhrigu cursed Shiva.
Since the god ignored him and was busy in amorous activities, Shiva was cursed to be worshiped as Linga only, with his icons not being very widely used for rituals. While this narrative is cited to explain why we worship Shivlinga instead of Shiva statues, in practice, Shiva Lingam and icons of Shiva are both revered with equal devotion.
Let’s learn what a jyotirlinga is. A jyotirlinga is a representation of the Supreme Lord Shiva. It is a Sanskrit word that implies " Radiance". The Shiva Purana refers to 64 Jyotirlingas. Out of these 64, 12 Lord Shiva Lingams are called Mahajyotirlingam or the Great Jyotirlingas.
The Twelve Jyotirlingas (Literary Background, Location, Historical Background and Photographs)
👉🏿 Somnath : Announcing the dawn of the Dwadash Jyotirlinga pilgrimage, the site is conventionally deemed as the first pilgrimage site. It is noted down in history that the temple at this site was plundered 16 times but was rebuilt again.
👉🏿 Mallikarjuna : Also called the Srisaila, the temple at this site is an architectural splendor and houses numerous sculptures. It houses the Lord Shiva Lingam and Shakthipeetha together.
👉🏿 Mahakaleshwar : The Lord Shiva Lingam present here is deemed to be Swayambhu out of all the 12 Maha Jyotirlingas. It faces the South and is the only Lord Shiva in his linga form that has the Shri Rudra Yantra positioned upside down on the Garbhagriha’s ceiling. It houses the Lord Shiva Lingam and Shakthipeetha together.
👉🏿 Omkareshwar : Located on an island along the Narmada River, it is home to the Mahala temple that houses a Jyotirlinga shrine.
👉🏿 Kedarnath : Situated closest to Lord Shiva’s actual abode in the Kailasha mountains, this temple housing the Lord Shiva Lingam is an important site for Hindu’s Char Dham Yatra. This site can only be visited once every six months.
👉🏿 Bhimashankar : Located in Khed Taluka of Daakini country, the temple that houses the Lord Shiva Lingam here is called the Dakini Temple.
👉🏿 Vishweshwara : This Lord Shiva lingam is located in Kashi, Varanasi. UP is supposed to be the home to Vishwanath Jyotirlinga sanctum. It is likewise one of the Padal petra stalam of Vada Naadu that has been referenced in Thevaaram.
It is located on the western banks of the blessed river Ganga. Lord Shiva in the linga form present here is known as Vishwanath, the leader of the universe. Varanasi is perhaps the most ancient city in the world and thus the temple was built there.
👉🏿 Trayambakeshwar : This Jyotirlinga is located on the banks of the Godavari and the legend says that this temple represents the birth of the river also.
👉🏿 Nageshwara : This temple is located in Gujarat, close to Jamnagar, and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas referenced in the Shiv Purana. This Lord Shiva Lingam is popularly called the Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga Stotram.
👉🏿 Baidyanath : It is viewed as one of the holiest abode of Lord Shiva. It is situated in Deoghar in Santhal Parganas division of the province of Jharkhand. This is prevalently called Baba Baidyanath where the Jyotirlinga is introduced. There are additionally 21 different temples around here. According to the Hindu legends, Ravana revered Shiva here to acquire the aid of 10 heads.
👉🏿 Rameshwaram : The southernmost Jyotirlinga in India is located in Tamil Nadu.
👉🏿 Grishneshwar : This temple housing the Lord Shiva Lingam is alluded to as Ghushmeshwar temple in the Shiv Purana. It is one of the temples of Shiv referenced in the Shiv Purana.
Shiva Linga worship is one of the most powerful ways of attaining all that one desires. In the Shiva Purana itself, it is mentioned that all living beings- man, woman, people of all classes and castes have the right (adhikaar) to worship Shiva Linga for receiving the blessings of Shiva.
Shiva is “bhukti-mukti dayaka”- he who gives Bhukti (land, or worldly pleasures in a wider sense) and Mukti (Moksha or salvation from worldly desires), thus whether one is seeking material benefits or spiritual powers, Shiva Lingam (which is form taken by the Lord himself for the betterment of the world) is the most sacred for his devotees.
Lord Shiva was once enquired by Goddess Parvati about the correct way of worshipping the Lord Shiva Lingam. While Shiva was clarifying upon the ceremonies, Nandi who was available was also educated on this sacrosanct point. The information was given to Sanatkumar, who thus told it to Sage Vyasa. Suta got to know it from Shailadi. Lord Shiva had depicted the three techniques, by the assistance of which a true devotee ought to become pure before beginning his worship-.
1.) Varuna Snan (cleaning up in open)
2.) Bhashma Snan (spreading remains)
3.) Mantra Snan (reciting of mantra)
Lord Shiva had explained the significance of cleaning up in a stream or a lake. As indicated by him a man's psyche, which resembles a lotus, would never bloom except if it got the brilliance of the sun. While explaining the strategies for taking Bhasmasnan, he said-After cleaning up his hands and feet, a true devotee should apply any of the accompanying things on his body to make it unadulterated- mud, cow dung cinders, and so on.
In the wake of becoming unadulterated as indicated by the strategies referenced above, he should then worship Lord Varuna. Having done, this, he should take a dunk in the stream after purging the water by reciting the holy 'Adhamarshan' mantra. He should then worship every one of the gods by sprinkling water from the Shankh (Conch) and in the midst of the recitation of mantras like 'Rudren Pavamanaen' and so on, he should then think about the form of a Lord Shiva Lingam.
A true devotee ought to initiate his love and worship solely after becoming unadulterated. Initially, he ought to perform Pranayama multiple times so his lungs are topped off with natural air. He ought to sanitize every one of the articles needed for worshipping by reciting OM NAMAH SHIVAY. He ought to likewise make contributions of rice grains, grain, flowers, and so on to Lord Shiva in the Linga form.
The Shiva Linga is a powerful representation of the universe’s fundamental principles—creation, preservation, and dissolution. Worshipping the Linga is a way to connect with Shiva’s divine energy and attain both worldly success and ultimate liberation (Moksha). Over centuries, this practice has remained a key aspect of Hindu devotion, reflecting the universality of Shiva’s presence.
Want to fill every corner of your heart with blessings from India’s golden culture? Fret not, Exotic India has you covered. Now that you’re a lot more ecstatic about shiva’s linga and are aware of why is lingam in that shape, let’s go through an enthralling collection of Shiva Lingas to seek the positive vibrational changes that the linga brings in.
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