Spirituality

10 Unknown Facts About Shiva Lingam

Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages on earth. And those who are familiar with it know that in Sanskrit, one word has many meanings. Let’s take an example of the word Lingam. Lingam could mean a type, symbol, representation, or gender. The same goes for the word Yoni. Yoni could mean a type, platform, or species.

Yajurveda, one of the most ancient texts known to humankind, has one part named Shvetashvatara Upanishad, which explains the real meaning of Shiva Lingam. It says, Shiva, the supreme is well beyond any characteristics; he is transcendental and represented by the Lingam or the symbol of formless reality. Keeping these meanings in mind, let’s look at a few interesting facts about Shiva Lingam that you might not be aware of.    

1. In Sanatana Dharma, Shiva Lingam is considered the symbol of cosmic energy. When a consecrated Shiva Lingam is placed in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, devotees believe that it channelizes the cosmic energies, falling on the pointy tower of the Sanctorum. When a devotee takes the Darshana (audience) of such charged Shiva Lingam, they feel a rising positivity in their subconscious.

2. Shiva Lingam is made up of four things. A base of Shiva Lingam represents Lord Brahma, the power behind creation. The Circular part adjacent to Shiva Lingam’s base represents Lord Vishnu, the divine force responsible for nurturing the universe. An actual U-shaped platform is called Yoni, meaning Prakriti, from which the universe is created. And the egg/oval-shaped formation is Lord Shiva, often known as the destroyer of the world.

3. As per Agama Shastras, Shiva Lingam represents Para Shiva. An iconic representation of congruence of Prakriti and Purush, through which the universe is born.

4. Once, a debate between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu on who the most extraordinary God is. While they were debating, a giant pillar appeared in between them. Lord Brahma took a flight to seek where it began, and Lord Vishnu took the other direction to check out where this pillar ended. Failing to find both ends, they meet at the midpoint of that pillar, and Lord Shiva appears from that fiery pillar. From that day; He was named Lingodbhava Shiva (one who had emerged from the Lingam). Devotees believe that the Shiva Lingam represents that pillar, and they call it Anadi Ananta Shiva (Shiva, the ultimate reality which has no beginning and no end).

5. As per Skanda Purana, the base of the Shiva Lingam is the earth, and the egg-shaped Lingam is the endless sky or the void containing the entire universe. At the end of time, the universe will merge into that Lingam- the final form before the universe’s destruction. And when the universe is created again, the first form it will acquire is that of Shiva Lingam.

6. Sanatana believes that the first form of the newly created universe is Shiva Lingam, an ellipsoid. Supporting this claim, modern cosmologists suggest that the very core of every collapsing galaxy is in the shape of an ellipsoid. So, in a nutshell, this ellipsoid object being worshipped represents both the first and final form of the universal creation. Hence, Shiva Lingam has so much importance in Sanatana Dharma.

7. Lingam is a combination of two words, Leen and Gati. Leen means dissolution, a complete surrender of a devotee. Gati means transcendence or upliftment. Linga or Lingam means a devotee should dissolve himself in the devotion of Lord Shiva and grow.

8. One of the terracotta seals found during the excavation of the Harappa civilization has an image of Pashupatinath (Avatar of Lord Shiva) engraved on its one side. It dates to 2000 BC. However, the Origin of the worship of Lord Shiva goes way before that period. Small-sized Shiva Lingam, made out of the soil, is found in the early Indus valley civilization on the Kalibangan site.  

A small village named Kokam is located in the Narmada district of Madhya Pradesh state. In this village, you will find an ancient temple called Jaleshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the experts, it has a Shiva Lingam more than 5000 years old, making it the oldest Shiva Lingam found on earth. No other deity has been worshipped for more than 5000 years on earth.  

9. Everything is sacred in Hinduism, ranging from the soil to the mountains. Speaking of mountains, Mount Kailasa is one of the holiest mountains in the world. Devotees believe that it is the abode of Lord Shiva. Looking from space, Mount Kailasa looks precisely like a Shiva Lingam. Call it lack of advanced, futuristic gear, or blame it on awful weather, but to this date, no one has managed to reach the summit of Mount Kailasa, despite mount Everest being much taller than Kailasa.

Many experienced mountain climbers who have climbed Mount Everest have taken part in mount Kailash expeditions. But every one of those expeditions failed due to some reason. Devotees believe that Kailasa is Lord Shiva’s abode; only the people with pure hearts are allowed on that mountain. Shiva Lingam represents the abode of Lord Shiva.

10. During the churning of the great sea, poison got out before the Amrit (immortality elixir). That poison was so potent that it started tormenting the world. Lord Shiva drank the poison to save the world from being destroyed by its effect, which made His throat blue. But Lord Shiva’s body started radiating immense heat due to the poison.

Seeing this, Lord Vishnu ordered all the demons and Gods to pour water on Lord Shiva’s head to cool Him off. Representing this, there is a vessel suspended on every Shiva Lingam, constantly dripping the water over the top of Shiva Lingam.     

For the devotees, who are looking forward to having a Shiva Lingam for their spiritual practice, plenty of brands are available online for buying a Shiva Lingam. However, if you are looking for an authentic one, you can get it from any Hindu temple near your home. Give us a call if you need help with the consecration of this powerful symbol of Lord Shiva. We hope you enjoyed reading about ten unknown facts about Shiva Lingam.

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