Linga
The Lingam (also, Linga, Shiva linga Sanskrit लिङ्गं liṅgaṃ, meaning "mark," or "sign,") is a symbol for the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. While its origins are debated, the use of this symbol for worship is a timeless tradition in India. Scholars have connected the origin of the lingam to the early Indus Valley civilisation. Puranas signify its greatest virtue is said to be in its simplicity which stands between idol worship and non-idolism - as a pillar of flame.[1]
The great warrior Arjuna in epic Mahabharatha worshipped Linga for acquiring Pashupatasthra ,great vedic scholar Ravana in epic Ramayana worshipped Shiva to present his mother Atmalinga, legendary rishi Markandeya and numerous rishis spread across timezones have worshipped the simplest looking Linga. Rishis used to leave all materialism to attain spirituality and a lump of soil in forest was what was required to worship and meditate. Scientifically from Lingayatism or Veerashaivism it helps one relate to cosmic energy through meditation of Istalinga worshipped by keeping it on palm.[2]
Etymology
The term, "linga" has many meanings. Monier-Williams gives "a mark, spot, sign, token, badge, emblem, characteristic" as general meanings besides the more specific "male organ, phallus".
Swami Sivananda, said that "the linga means a mark, in Sanskrit. It is a symbol which points to an inference. When you see a big flood in a river, you infer that there had been heavy rains the previous day. When you see smoke, you infer that there is fire. This vast world of countless forms is a Linga of the omnipotent Lord. The Siva-Linga is a symbol of Lord Siva. When you look at the Linga, your mind is at once elevated and you begin to think of the Lord."
Bansi Pandit, in his book, Hindu Dharma said, that "Shivalinga means "Shiva symbol." He further adds that the word linga is derived from the two Sanskrit words laya (dissolution) and agaman (recreation). Thus, shivalinga symbolizes that entity in which the creation merges at the time of dissolution and out of which the universe reappears at the beginning of the new cycle of creation."
Shivling (6543m) is also a mountain in Uttarakhand (the Garwhal region of Himalayas). It arises as a sheer pyramid above the snout of the Gangotri Glacier. The mountain resembles a shivling when viewed from certain angles; especially when travelling or trekking from Gangotri to Gomukh as a part of a traditional Hindu pilgrimage.
The word is first attested in the Brahmanas, both with general meanings of "sign, mark, characteristic" and of "gender mark, genital". Its etymology is uncertain, suggestions include Germanic *leik (English alike) as a cognate.
Interpretations
Various interpretations on the origin and symbolism of the Shiva lingam obtain. While the Tantras and Puranas deem the Shiva lingam a phallic symbol representing the regenerative aspect of the material universe, the Agamas and Shastras do not elaborate on this interpretation, and the Vedas fail altogether to mention the Lingam.
In Hindu Dharma, Bansi Pandit explains that "Shivalinga consists of three parts. The bottom part which is four-sided remains under ground, the middle part which is eight-sided remains on a pedestal and the top part which is actually worshipped is round. The height of the round part is one-third of its circumference. The three parts symbolize Brahma at the bottom, Vishnu in the middle and Shiva on the top. The pedestal is provided with a passage for draining away the water that is poured on top by devotees. The linga symbolizes both the creative and destructive power of the Lord and great sanctity is attached to it by the devotees."
Lingam as an abstract symbol of God
Some interpreters of Hindu scripture believe the lingam to be merely an abstract symbol, and point out that Lingams in many of the more important temples are not of the shape described above.[citation needed] Furthermore, there are instances in Hindu lore where a rock or pile of sand has been used by heroic personages as a Lingam or symbol of Shiva. For example, Arjuna fashioned a lingam of clay when worshipping Shiva. Thus, it is argued, too much should not be made of the usual shape of the Lingam. This view is also consonant with philosophies that hold that God may be conceptualized and worshipped in any convenient form; the form itself is irrelevant, the divine power that it represents is all that matters.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami explains in the lexicon section of his book, Dancing with Siva, that "Sivalinga is the most prevalent icon of Siva, found in virtually all Siva temples. It is a rounded, elliptical, aniconic image, usually set on a circular base, or peetham. The Sivalinga is the simplest and most ancient symbol of Siva, especially of Parasiva, God beyond all forms and qualities. The Peetham represents Parashakti, the manifesting power of God. Lingas are usually of stone (either carved or naturally existing, swayambhu, such as shaped by a swift-flowing river), but may also be of metal, precious gems, crystal, wood, earth or transitory materials such as ice. According to the Karana Agama (6), a transitory Sivalinga may be made of 12 different materials: sand, rice, cooked food, river clay, cow dung, butter, rudraksha beads, ashes, sandalwood, darbha grass, a flower garland, or molasses."
Swami Sivananda states that the linga represents the formless, attributeless Nirguna Brahman or the formless Supreme Being Lord Siva, who is the indivisible, all-pervading, eternal, auspicious, ever-pure, immortal essence of this vast universe, the undying soul seated in the chambers of your heart, and the Indweller, innermost Self or Atman and who is identical with the Supreme Brahman.[citation needed]
He further holds that although the Agamas do not derive their authority from the Vedas, the two are not mutually antagonistic. Some scholars hold the view that anything that contradicts the Vedas or is inconsistent with its spirit is not authoritative. According to this perspective, the Puranic and Tantric conceptualizations are secondary to the Vedas and the Agamas which are vedic in spirit. In this point of view, the conceptualization of the lingam as a phallic symbol does not carry much weight, since the Vedas & Agamas say nothing in the matter.[citation needed]
Ancient lingams
Lingams have been recovered from the Indus Valley Civilization archeological sites at Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
A naturally occurring lingam
A lingam at Amarnath in the western Himalayas forms every winter from ice dripping on the floor of a cave and freezing like a stalagmite. It is very popular with pilgrims.
Notes
- ↑ shiva lingam - A Glorious Worship. www.shaivam.org. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
- ↑ Concept of God in Veerashaivism. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Schumacher, Stephan and Woerner, Gert, The encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and religion, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Hinduism, Shambhala, Boston, (1994) ISBN 0-87773-980-3
See also
- Hindu iconography
- Lingayatism
- Phurba
- Shiva
External links
Sivananda's explanation about Linga being a Symbol of Shiva:
- The Siva-Linga: A Symbol Which Points To An Inference.
- Linga, symbol of Shiva, God who is formless, attributeless and omnipresent.
- Shiva Linga
- A discussion on the Shiv Lingam
- Siva Temple Kuzhalmannam Agraharam
- Veershaivite view of Linga as an abstract symbol of God.
- lingam in Southeast Asia
- Photo Sahasra Linga
- Photo of Mt Shivling
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