Shiva Linga-Prasad

[Guest guest]

Sir, I fully agree with you.

Also, briefly, the letter "PANCHA" denotes the nama &

roopa bhavana of 1.Shiva 2.Ambika 3.Maha Vishnu

4.Surya

5.Ganapathi. All indicate parabrahma tatwa.

We should not differentiate between any of these.

M.B.Prasada Rao, Visakhapatnam.

 

--- mahadevadvaita <mahadevadvaita wrote:

 

> Om Namah Shivaya

> I request the learned members to give some details

> about the

> significance of Shiva Linga. My understanding is

> that Linga is a

> prateek or symbol of the Lord. The union of Shiva

> and Shakti results

> in this material world and the Linga represents

> supreme consciousness.

> Without consciousness, no human can survive. This

> consciousness is

> like the seed of the universe without which it

> cannot come into

> existence.

> Please let me know if this is correct.

>

> Om Namah Shivaya

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Sh.Mahadevadvaita,

 

First of all I regret for this late reply. While appreciating your

understanding, which is perfectly in order and to corroborate yours and the

statements made by revered members of the group, I believe, the following

paragraphs may be of some interest to you.

 

Various versions on the definition or understanding of the meaning of

Shiv ling:

 

It is unfortunate that the Etymologists derived the meaning of Shiv ling from

its syllables. It is a saying in

Sanskrit that syllables in any compound word should not be split for arriving at

its meaning. This is true with every language. As the word understand in English

does not men one is standing below. Similarly Shiv ling being a compound word

should not be spilt to arrive at its meaning as Lord's Phallus.

 

Some schools of thought defined that the word Linga comprises of

"Dhatus" Lin and Gam. Where as Lin means Laya (termination) i.e. putting to an

end and Gam means Aagaman. This concludes that the word Lingam pertains to the

Lord, who is responsible for termination and regeneration of the entire

universe.

Another group of scholars felt that the word Ling shall be split in to

Leen + gati. Here Leen means merge or dissolve in to, where as Gati means grow.

Hence the word Linga suggests that one should try to dissolve or merge oneself

in to supreme soul and shall grow by acquiring spiritual knowledge.

 

It is widely accepted that Shiv Ling is an abstract symbol of Lord and is in

Rooparoop aspect, as it neither depicts the manifested form of Shiv nor the Lord

Shiv without any of his attributes. God is formless, attribute less and

omnipresent, this state is called aroop (formless). For the benefit of the

people, He took the form of shiv ling which is neither in form nor is formless

but a symbol. This symbol of Him is called arooparoop (formless form). Shiv

ling symbolizes both the creative and destructive power of the Lord. It

describes the ultimate philosophy that the Almighty is formless and is imagined

in the form of super human by human beings. This aspect is illustrated by

"Bammera pothana"

while describing "Gajendra Moksha" in Bhagavat while translating it in Telugu language,

"Gajendra pleads Lord for help, addressing him as Bhadratatmaka (The Lord in Elephant form).

 

In this context it is worth mentioning that "Swamy Sivananda" opines that Shiv

ling represents Formless; with out any attributes represent Lord as Nirguna

Brahman or formless Supreme Being and Aroopa or Arooparoopam.

What Shiv ling represents?

 

Shiva ling represents trinity as well as Shakti. Shiv ling

literally means the body of Siva. Next to the symbol of AUM, it is the most

potent, powerful and popular symbol. The Shiv

ling is mounted on a circular or quadrangular receptacle having depression in

its centre to accommodate Shiv ling firmly and steadily. In general t

he height of the Shiv ling is one-third of its circumference.The base with its

depression so made is known as Yoni Peeth Yoni

Peeth represents ParaaSakti. Spiritually it represents the union of Purusha and

Prakriti, the highest principles of the manifest universe. Mentally it

symbolizes the union of mind and body. Shiva is inseparable from Shakti

(Parvati). There is no Shiva without

Shakti and no Shakti without Shiva, both of them are united as one - or the

absolute state of being - consciousness and bliss.

This receptacle / pedestal is designed so as to drain off the water offered

during ablution ceremonies.

The Shiv ling is in other way symbolizes the Supreme Self. It is Maheswara

Himself, the Highest Self and the Lord of the universe.

Shiv ling has three parts. Its lower part represents Brahma, the middle part,

which is octagonal in shape, represents Vishnu and the upper part, which is

cylindrical in shape, represents Rudra. The upper portion of the Shiv ling may

be made of various shapes, cylindrical, elliptical, umbrella shaped. Images may

also be (rarely) carved on a Shiv ling. Tiny Shiv lings engraved on its entire

surface is known as Sahasra Linga. Abhishek

or ablution offered to such Shiv ling is believed as performing ablutions to

thousand Shiv lings at the same time.

A Shiv ling in the form of ice at Amarnath

in the western Himalayas is seen, which forms every winter by itself.

Shiva lings are either naturally found or made artificially. Different materials

are used for making

Shiv Ling, such as clay, gold, silver, brass bronze (17th Century), crystal,

glass, diamonds, precious stones, Mixture of Silver and mercury (Rasamani) and

wood. The round and smooth stones found on the River beds of the Narmada are

considered to be the most ideal for worship. These are called Narmada Linga,

and are considered as

Jwala linga. It is customary that Shiv lings are made temporarily too.

According to the Karana Agama, a transitory Shiv ling may be made of 12

different materials: sand, rice, cooked food, river clay,

cow dung,

butter, rudraksha seeds, ashes,

sandalwood,

darbha grass, a flower

garland, or molasses."

Some devotees wear Siva lings on their bodies or around their necks. When

Shiva lings are found fortuitously on the river beds or at desolate places, is

considered to be a great omen. They are housed in temples or at homes to offer

worship regularly.

The five mantras that constitute Shiva's body are Sadyojaata

(As Mahadeva,

the Earth), Vaamadeva (As

Uma, Water), Aghora

(As Bhairava,

Fire), Tatpurusha (As

Nandi, Air) and Isaana

(As Sadasiva Space). Isaana is

Shiva in invisible form, Sadyojaata is Shiva realized in his basic reality (as

in the element earth, in the sense of smell, and in the mind). Panchmukhi

lingas were seen from the 2nd century onwards. The Trimurthi

Sadasiva image of Shiva as seen in the Elephanta caves near Mumbai is the

portrayal of Panch Mukhi where the fourth and the fifth heads are hidden inside

the rock.

Shiva is referred to as 'auspicious God'. Rudra is considered to be the

destroyer of evil and sorrow. Shiva - Shankara is the doer of good. Shiva is

'tri

netra' or three eyed, and as 'neel kantha' - blue necked, Shiva is known as

Nataraja, the Divine Cosmic Dancer and as Ardhanareeswar for sharing 50percent

of his physical body with his consort Parvathi

.. The Shiv ling form is called sadashiv. The form that Lord Shiva took later is

called Maheshwar and is worshipped in the outer circles in any Lord Shiva's

temple.

Symbolism

Rudra destroys our imperfections in order to ensure our spiritual progress. He

destroys our illusions, desires and ignorance. He destroys our evil and

negative nature. He destroys our old memories, so that we can move on with the

movement of time. He destroys our relationships, attachment, impurities,

physical and mental wrong doings, the effects of bad karma, our passions and

emotions and many things that stand between us and God as impediments to our

progress and inner transformation. And in the end when we have made sufficient

progress, when we are ready and prepared, and when we are willing without any

inner conflict, he destroys death (grants liberation).

Shiva

symbolically presented as tamasic natured God. Because of this he is called

pasupathi, (the lord of the animals). His body complexion is fair which denotes

his purity (

sivam) and his association with the snowy mountains. His three eyes represents

the three worlds, the sun, the moon and the earth, the three paths of

liberation and the triple nature of creation. The third eye is the eye of

wisdom or knowledge of occult. The moon that adorns his head represents the

passage of time and also his cosmic proportions. With the moon there, his head

becomes the night sky, for which he earned the name of Vyomakesa (one who has

the sky or space as his hair). His association with the moon is in contrast

with Vishnu who is associated with the Sun as a solar deity. The moon also

symbolizes his association with the occult and the tantras.

Shiva

is yogi, and a nataraja or tandavamurthi as cosmic dancer. With his hair flying

in all directions and hands and feet in dynamic motion, the image of nataraja is

a symbol of harmony and rhythm. Scientists found Nataraja's dancing pose is

similar to DNA cell.

Among the objects which are popularly associated with him, apart from the

trident and the Damaru, are battleaxe (parasu), rosary (

akshamala), pasa (noose), khatvanga (Leg of a cot as magic wand) and khadga (sword).

Followers of Saivam are familiar with three words: pati, pasu and paasa. Pati is

Siva himself, the lord/master and husband. Pasu is the deluded self that is

caught in the cycle of birth and death. Pasa is the bond that binds the pasu to

this world and it gains liberation through devotion and complete surrender to

pati

..

 

AUM Namah Shivaya

 

On 2/27/06, prasadarao madhunapantula <prasadaraom > wrote:

Sir, I fully agree with you.Also, briefly, the letter "PANCHA" denotes the nama

&roopa bhavana of 1.Shiva 2.Ambika 3.Maha Vishnu4.Surya5.Ganapathi. All

indicate parabrahma tatwa.

We should not differentiate between any of these.M.B.Prasada Rao,

Visakhapatnam.--- mahadevadvaita <

mahadevadvaita > wrote:> Om Namah Shivaya> I request the learned

members to give some details> about the > significance of Shiva Linga. My

understanding is> that Linga is a > prateek or symbol of the Lord. The union of

Shiva> and Shakti results > in this material world and the Linga represents>

supreme consciousness. > Without consciousness, no human can survive. This

> consciousness is > like the seed of the universe without which it> cannot come

into > existence. > Please let me know if this is correct.> > Om Namah Shivaya>

> > > > > > > Do You

?

 

 

Lord shiva

 

Visit your group "" on the web.

-- KS Rao,Navi MumbaiCell: 93242 94531

[Guest guest]

Namaste Kasturi,

 

Shiva is the one "in whom all things lie".

Shiva means "auspicious, propitious, gracious, favourable, benign,

kind, benevolent, friendly, dear, happy, or fortunate".

Shiva indicates "happiness, welfare, liberation, or final

emancipation".

Shiva is "the Auspicious one".

 

Linga is "a mark, spot, sign, token, badge, emblem, characteristic,

guise, disguise, proof, or evidence".

Linga is "the sign of gender or organ of generation".

Linga indicates "the image of a god, or an idol".

Linga represents "the invariable mark which proves the existence of

anything in an object" ~ e.g. in the proposition "there is fire

because there is smoke", smoke is the linga.

Linga is "inference, conclusion, or reason".

Linga indicates "the eternal procreative germ".

Linga is "an indication" ~ e.g. a word that serves to fix the meaning

of another word.

Linga indicates "Brahmacarya".

 

Quite simply, Shivalinga means "mark of Shiva" or "auspicious sign".

 

Shivalinga indicates "a god, sacred writings, a post for cows, an

auspicious constellation, or quicksilver".

 

Bana-Linga are rounded in cross-section, whereas Jvala-Linga are

flattened.

 

Shiva is NOT particularly "tamasic" ~ this is only Vaishnava

propaganda.

 

As a member of the Trimurti, Shiva is pure Rajas.

 

Pashupati (the Father of Animals) is Shiva, and his perfect child is

Narayana (the Son of Man).

 

Anything that spirals is "like DNA".