SHIVA LINGA

SHIVA LINGAM SHIVLING

The Shiva Linga or Lingam is a symbol that represents Lord Shiva in Hinduism. As the most powerful of deities, temples are built in his honour that includes a Shiva Linga, representing all the energies of the world and beyond. In Sanskrit, Linga means a ‘mark’ or a symbol, which points to an inference. Thus the Shiva Linga is a symbol of Lord Shiva: a mark that reminds of the Omnipotent Lord, which is formless. The ancient Hindu scripture ‘Linga Purana’ says that the foremost Linga is devoid of smell, colour, taste, etc. and is spoken of as Prakriti, or Nature itself. In the post-Vedic period, the Linga became symbolic of the generative power of Lord Shiva. The Linga is like an egg and represents the Brahmanda (the cosmic egg). Linga signifies that the creation is affected by the union of Prakriti and Purusha, the male and the female powers of Nature. It also signifies Satya, Jnana, and Ananta - Truth, Knowledge, and Infinity. A Shiva Linga consists of three parts. The lowest of these is called the Brahma-Pitha; the middle one, the Vishnu-Pitha; the uppermost one, the Shiva-Pitha. These are associated with the Hindu pantheon of gods: Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) and Shiva (the Destroyer). The typically circular base or peetham (Brahma-Pitha) holds an elongated bowl-like structure (Vishnu-Pitha) reminiscent of a flat teapot with a spout that has had the top cut off. Within the bowl rests a tall cylinder with a rounded head (Shiva-Pitha). The Shiva Linga is most often carved from stone. In Shiva Temples, they can be quite large, towering over devotees, though Lingam can also be small, close to knee-height. Many are adorned with traditional symbols or elaborate carvings, though some are somewhat industrial looking or relatively plain and simple.