Logo India

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

MUSHIKA According to the Ganesha Purana , Ganesha's mouse, originally a celestial musician named Krauncha, accidentally insulted Muni Vamadeva at Lord Indra’s  darbar and was cursed to become a mouse. But Krauncha was as big as a mountain and he damaged the Ashram of Sage Parâshara. The sage invoked Ganesha who unleashed his pasha (noose) and it looped round Krauncha’s neck and brought him to Ganesha's feet. Ganesha decided to take him as his vehicle. But when Ganesha stood on Krauncha he was too heavy and Krauncha cried out with pain. Ganesha took pity on him and made himself light and Krauncha has happily borne Him since. Others view the rat as a symbol suggesting that Ganesha, like the rat, penetrates even the most secret places. Or that Mushika attests to the all-pervasiveness of Ganesha carrying his grace into every nook and cranny. Alternatively, the mouse is the wandering wayward mind which slips into places which we would have not thought it possible to penetrate