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Outdoor Architecture
Object of worship (Linga)
Area related
Bali (Indonésie)
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While its origins are debated, the use of this symbol for worship is an ancient tradition in India extending back to the early Indus Valley civilization.
The Sanskrit term, transliterated as linga has many meanings, generally as a mark, sign, or characteristic. It has a number of specific uses in Sanskrit that are derived from this general meaning. Vaman Shivram Apte's dictionary gives seventeen definitions of the term, including these examples :
- The image of a god
- A symptom or mark of disease
- A spot or stain
- A means of proof, a proof, evidence
- The effect or product which evolves from a primary cause
- The concept of grammatical gender
- The phallus
An example of the use of the word linga in general Sanskrit usage to represent the concept of "sign" occurs in this passage from the Bhagavad Gita:
This is translated by Swami Gambhirananda as "O Lord, by what signs is one (known) who has gone beyond these three qualities?" and by Winthrop Sargeant as "By what marks is he recognized, Who has transcended these three qualities, O Lord?".
An example of use of the word linga as a technical term in philosophy is given in this passage from the Sâṃkhya-Kârikâ which describes the role of attributes in recognition of objects perceived by the senses:
Perception is the ascertainment of objects (which are in contact with sense-organs). Inference, which follows on the knowledge of the characteristic mark and that which bears the mark ..."
The term lingam is sometimes used synonymously for shivalingam, a specific type of icon or altar representing the god Shiva.
Lingam as a symbol of Shiva
A. L. Basham says that linga have been found in the Harappan remains, and provides these comments relating to the antiquity of the symbol :
"... Shiva was and still is chiefly worshipped in the form of the linga, usually a short cylindrical pillar with rounded top, which is the survival of a cult older than Indian civilization itself ... The cult of the linga, at all times followed by some of the non-Âryan peoples, was incorporated into Hinduism around the beginning of the Christian era, though at first it was not very important."
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami explains in the lexicon section of his book, Dancing with Shiva, that "Shivalinga is the most prevalent icon of Shiva, found in virtually all Shiva temples. It is a rounded, elliptical, aniconic image, usually set on a circular base, or peetham. The lingam is the simplest and most ancient symbol of Shiva, 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, a transitory Shivalinga 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."
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.
Hindu interpreters often use the underlying meaning of "sign" or "mark" for the Sanskrit word linga as the basis for their commentaries.
For example :
- The name Lingam appears as a name of Shiva in the Shiva Sahasranama where it is translated by Ram Karan Sharma as "(Identifiable as) a symbol of the origin of the Universe."
- Bansi Pandit, in his book, Hindu Dharma said, that "Shivalinga means "Shiva symbol."
- Swami Sivananda, said that "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."
Western commentators often use the concept of "male generative organ" as the basis for their interpretations.
For example :
- Monier-Williams provides one definition for lingam as: "The male organ ... esp. that of Siva worshipped in the form of a stone or marble column...".
- Gavin Flood's An Introduction to Hinduism refers to the worship of Shiva "in his form as the Úiva linga or "icon" found in most Hindu temples. The linga represents a phallus ..."
Interpretations
Some of the information in this article or section may not be verified by reliable sources. It should be checked for inaccuracies and modified to cite reliable sources.
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1008 Lingas carved on a rock surface. Photograph is taken at the shore of the river Tungabhadra, Hampi, IndiaIn 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."
In Veerashaivism, Siva divides from His Absolute state into Linga (Supreme Lord) and anga, individual soul, the two eventually reuniting in undifferentiated oneness. There are three aspects of Sivalinga.
- Ishtalinga, personal form of Siva, in which He fulfills desires and removes afflictions - God as bliss or joy.
- Bhavalinga, Siva beyond space and time, the highest divine principle, knowable through intuition.
Pranalinga, the reality of God which can be apprehended by the mind.
The soul(anga) merges with Siva(Linga) by a progressive, six-stage path called shatsthala and this is called Shunyasampadane-earning eternal nothingness.
According to Swami Dharmananda who is a master of Yoga there is a mysterious power in the Linga, its shape has been designed to induce concentration of the mind. Just as the mind is focused easily in crystal-gazing, so also the mind attains one-pointedness, when it looks at the Linga. That is the reason why the ancient Rishis and the seers of India have prescribed Linga for being installed in the temples of Lord Shiva.
The great warrior Arjuna in epic Mahabharata 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.
Naturally occurring lingams
Some of the information in this article or section may not be verified by reliable sources. It should be checked for inaccuracies and modified to cite reliable sources.
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.
There is a great connection in marking the forces of nature to be worshipped. The following description has various forms of nature being worshipped as Linga.
The Vedas speak of the Ashta Murthys' (forms) of Lord Shiva. Sarva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, Bheema, Pasupathi, Mahadeva, Eashana are the eight Murthys of Shiva. Puranas explain the Adhistanas for these eight forms, which are Sarva for earth, Bhava for water, Rudra for fire, Ugra for wind, Bheema for space, Pasupathi for yajamana, Mahadeva for moon and Eashana for Sun. Shiva is also called Pasupathi i.e. Lord Shiva with his enormous grace on the Jeeva means pasu, cuts the Pasa or the string and makes it move free to join him with devotion. In this way, his name Pasupathi is more meaningful. Each of the following Kshethras (places) in India and Nepal connected to the Lord 's eight forms, so that the devotee can know clearly how the ancient puranas took care to locate these places both geographically and spiritually. Shiva, Brahma puranas are the main sources.
(cf. wikipedia)
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The Lingam
The Lingam (also, Linga, Shiva linga, meaning "mark" or "sign") is a symbol for the worship of the Hindu god Shiva.
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