Why Shiva Is Worshipped In His Phallic Form

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Why Shiva Is Worshipped In His Phallic Form

 

According to another legend, once Brahma and Vishnu, two other deities

of the holy Trinity, had an argument as to their supremacy. Brahma

being the Creator declared himself to be more revered, while Vishnu,

the Preserver, pronounced that he commanded more respect. Just then a

colossal lingam, known as Jyotirlinga, blanketed in flames, appeared

before them. Both Brahma and Vishnu were awestruck by its rapidly

increasing size. They forgot their quarrel and decided to determine

its size. Vishnu assuming the form of a boar went to the netherworld

and Brahma as a swan flew to the skies. But both of them failed to

accomplish the self- assumed tasks. Then, Shiva appeared out of the

lingam and stated that he was the progenitor of them both and that

henceforth he should be worshipped in his phallic form, the lingam,

and not in his anthropomorphic form.