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Why do we worship shiv lingam
Answer:
The Lingam (also, Linga, Shiva linga, meaning “mark” or “sign”) is an representation of the deity Shiva, used as a symbol for worship in temples.
Siva (Shiva) means auspiciousness and linga means a sign or a symbol.
Hence the Sivalinga (Shiva Linga) is regarded as a “symbol of the great God of the universe who is all-auspiciousness.”[1] Siva is also regarded by some as one in whom the whole creation sleeps after dissolution.[1] Further, Linga is taken to mean the same thing—a place where created objects get dissolved during the disintegration of the created universe. Since, according to Hinduism, it is the same god that creates, sustains and withdraws the universe, the Sivalinga, represents symbolically God Himself.[1]
The Sanskrit term ligram, transliterated as linga has many meanings, including a mark, sign or characteristic. It has a number of specific uses in Sanskrit that are derived from this general meaning. Vaman Shivram Apte’s dictionary gives seventeen other definitions of the term, including these examples:[2]
· A false or unreal mark; a disguise
· A symptom or mark of disease
· A spot or stain
· A means of proof, a proof, evidence
· The sign of gender or sex
· Sex
· The male organ of generation
· Grammatical gender
· The genital organ of Shiva worshipped in the form of a phallus.
· Image of a god; an idol
· The subtle frame or body, the indestructible original of the gross or visible body (in Vedanta philosophy)
·
Some believe that Shiva Lingam represents male genital organs. Others believe that this is a misinterpretation, stemming from the time that Indian literature came into hands of foreign scholars.[3]
There are shrines in India; where the ‘Bhrahman’/Linga is not in the cylindrical form; for example one of the ‘Asta dasha Jyothirlanga’ the Thriyambakeshwar at Nasik, Maharastra is not cylyndrical, rather it is in a form of a small circular pit inside which three blocks of the same stone form a triangle – indicating the Trinity ( Brahma, Vishna & Maheswara / also interpreted as the three eyes of Shiva).Another such example is the ‘Linga’ at Mahanandi – Near Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh; where the Linga is not a complete covered stone; but is rather with sharp edges in irregular forms. The Gokarna Shetra, the shape of Linga is irregular.
This supreme Shiva is represented by the Shiva Lingam and is pronounced by the universal word Om (Aum).
Puranas
Hindu Puranas state that Shiva-Linga is the source of the universe. Skanda Purana reveres Shiva-Linga as the supreme being, in whom the universe originates and into whom it finally merges.
The endless sky (the universe) is Linga, and the Earth is its base. At the end of time, the universe and all Gods merge in Linga.
The Linga Purana states:
Meaning: the foremost Lingam, which is devoid of colour, taste, hearing, touch, et cetera, is spoken of as Prakriti, or nature.
So the view that the Siva Lingam represents the phallus is a mistake.
Ma Bap ne Bhulsho Nahi Video – A Must Watch for every Gujarati Family or people who understand Gujarati…………. If you like it, Please give 5 Star rating.
This Videos will make you will make you Laugh and Cry at the same time.
Complete 23 HD videos of Ashwin Joshi “Ma Bap ne Bhulsho Nahi”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TRVsFS4geI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_FDqY5zYJc
Do not miss watching this entire event as it both educates and entertains the new youth about certain values that cannot be forgotten no matter where in the world you are stationed.
Please forward it to your family and friends.
Thanks.
Ravi Patel
Dear Sushmaji,
http://www.hinduwisdom.info/aryan_invasion_theory.htm
Nice of you to give the Rig Veda quote “Praja Arya Jyyotiragra” in the above link. The above quote puts the term “Arya” in the right perspective. However, the Reference given “Rig Veda VII.33.17″ should read as “Rig Veda VII.33.7″
The other quotes which show that “Arya” was never intended as race are:
“Krunvanto Vishwam Aryam”[Rig IX.63.5]
“Anaryajushtam aswargyam akeertikaram arjuna[Lord Krishna in SBG-II.2].
Regards.
Refer to The Universal Religion – Hindu Dharma: The Vedic Religion: Introductory.
“Hindu Dharma” is a book which contains English translation of certain invaluable and engrossing speeches of Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi MahaSwamiji (at various times during the years 1907 to 1994).
http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part2/chap2.htm.
and
THE COMMON BASES OF HINDUISM – http://www.advaitaashrama.org/cw/content.php.
Namaste,
I have been a follower of this great website for 2 years now. It was an eye-opener. I treasure the vast knowledge this site has put forward. May Lord Krishna bless you and your team for this endeavor.
Ranjith.
Hi,
Its really a pleasant experience in browsing this website.
I want to add a small information to this, under the chapter Symbolism I read there is only one temple for Matsya avatar of Lord Vishnu. There is also a temple for Matsya avatar in Nagalapuram village located en-route to Chennai from Tirupathi town. More details can be had in TTD website.
Prayers of mine to God for the good work of your team.
Best wishes.
Sathya.
Very useful, there are many gems buried in this webpage. I shall use it as a source for quotations in my upcoming lecture entitled ‘An Explanation of Everything’. Thanks.
Dear Ms. Londhe:
Namaskaar.
Thanks for developing this WEB site.
It is an excellent source of information on History of India and basics of Hindu Dharma. I am looking for authentic History of Hindus with references.
Hope, you can help.
Thanks.
Sincerely,
Ram Sidhaye
Hari OM!
Wonder how we can make the world accept all this.. I hate the trend when sometimes we believe some stuff only if a ‘Western’ ‘expert’ testifies to this.
Excellent site. God Bless!
Arun
Namaskar Sushamaji,
I visited Thailand recently. Uploaded pictures on Hindu symbols in Thailand – http://www.esamskriti.com/around-world/Hindu-symbols-in-Thailand.aspx.
There are 280 pics on the site, showcases the India connection. Please visit and share with your readers.
Sanjeev.
http://www.esamskriti.com
Dear Sushmaji,
Pranams. You may also include the following quote of Rasool Pookutty, the winner of Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire(Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing):
“I come from a country and civilisation that gave the world the word that precedes silence and is followed by more silence. That word is ‘Om’. So I dedicate this award to my country,” said Kerala-born sound technician.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/When-Resul-Pookutty-almost-walked-out-of-Slumdog/427017/
You are right. It matches what I suspected and knew. Common sense also correlates well with pointing to world history being indocentric for a number of reasons, one supporting the other. But commonsense takes a back seat in Kali Yuga. For e.g. in the era of falsity it was fire that brought down the WTC and not controlled demolition. But then how did 3 structures collapse when only 2 were hit? Likewise we are “supposed” to “know” that Mesopotamia is the birth of civilisation because that is where the garden of eden is and Greece is origin of intellectual thought.
A 10 yr old boy can tell that this is a Christian European point of view. Never mind that the Greeks and Jesus went to India for instruction and made a name for themselves only upon their return.
Dear Ms. Londhe,
I have just discovered your amazing website. Thank you so much for it.
I want to draw your attention to this article about the movie Avatar that is worth reading –
Cameron’s Avatar: The emerging zeitgeist?
By Come Carpentier de Gourdon
http://www.vijayvaani.com/FrmPublicDisplayArticle.aspx?id=1027
Converting an Indian to Christianity – don’t let the devil win.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvVAV09-dQ8 –
Watch this disgusting video and read comments from readers.
Dear Madam,
Please refer the section ‘The Lotus and the River” in the Chapter – India and Egypt. I wish to point out that the description of the relief of the god of the river Nile, Hapi (Temple of Abydos, Egypt) is incomplete; I will to be a little harsh – it is actually wrong. What the God of the Nile is holding in His hands is not blue lotus stalk.
Observe it carefully.
The right hand of the god Hapi holds a beautifully carved image of the lord Ganesh. You can often see this type of pictures depicting lord Ganesh in common Hindu homes. Just behind the head of the God, you can identify an image resembling a mouse as well.
In the left hand, the god holds some thing that may be a stalk of blue lotus (Neelkamal).
A fountain falling into the hairs the god is clearly identifiable. Compare it with the modern pictures of the lord Shiv capturing the forceful fall of the river Ganga from the havens into his Jatas.
Blue color of the image of the god signifies the concept of Neelkanth (The name of the river Nile appears to be correlated with Neel ie blue) and a single breast signifies the concept of Ardhnareeshwar (Androgynae).
An image of Nag can be easily identified on the back side of the head of the god. This relief is definitely of none other than the Hindu Gods Shiv (as Ardhnareeshwar) and Ganesh.
What is more significant is the presence of 2 birds (probably pigeons; or probably Neelkanth ie Kingfisher); one holding a twig in its open beak and the other one, without it. Both sitting on a plant- the Neelkamal stalk. No western philosopher can describe this. Only a person with some knowledge of Vedas will be able to realize the concept behind these 2 birds and properly correlate it. It is:
Dwa Suparna Sayuja sakhaaya samanam vriksham pari paswajate
Tayoranyah pippalam swadwa ttyanshnnyo abi chaakseeli
(Madukopnishad 3:1)
Two birds with beautiful wings are sitting on a tree. They are friends (Sayuja Sakhaa), and they remain together. One of them enjoys the ‘tasty fruits’ of the ‘tree’ (vriksham) while the other does not. It only watches its friend eat the fruits of the tree.
Here, the birds represent Atma (soul) and Param-atama (god). Their wings are beautiful (Suparna) because they can leave the ‘tree’ and fly else where. The vriksh (tree) represents nature or body (shareer). The bird representing Atma enjoys the fruits of the nature (Bhog). The bird representing param-atma remains only an observer.
It is impossible that the artists who must have erected this relief were inspired by any ‘body of concepts’ other than the pure, comprehensive wisdom of The Veds. I request you to please incorporate this description just below the picture of Hapi, god of the River Nile. Temple of Abydos, Egypt so that there may be an open discussion on it.
This website is a great source of information with a scientific approach to various legends from the mythology.
One of my interpretations of the story of Goddess Durga is here:
http://thelegendofdurga.blogspot.com/
where I marvel at the technological advancement of the ancient gods.
I was feeling like the calf searching for the cow-mother, all these days when I could not contact you. I had been regularly communicating through this guest book for over 1 year. I have placed Hindu Wisdom in my blog in the list of interesting web sites. Many had thanked me for introducing this useful website.
May Parameshwar bless you and your good efforts.
http://parppu.blogspot.com
Respected Sushmaji,
Pranam, after a very long time, I am able to contact you.
Thanks.
A.Velu. Sculptor & Artist –
http://www.aveluartist.com
Dear Sushamaji, Namaskar.
Your decade long earnest efforts to spread the beauty of Hinduism are greatly appreciated and I am sure your book – ‘A Tribute to Hinduism’ will be a welcome addition to any astute and discerning reader. Keep up the good work!
Mumbai, India.
Namaste Sushma’ji,
I have been reading your website for about 10 years on and off. I might have provided the links thousands of times in all debates and discussions. It’s one site every Hindu should visit. The reading is a delight with visual treats sprinkled all over. You may also notice that I have borrowed your content liberally on my blog (of course, with credits). Your passion, dedication is a truly a tribute to Hinduism. I salute your efforts. May Dharma prevail.
Kiran
http://victimofprejudice.blogspot.com/
Houston, USA.
Respected Sushmaji,
Pranam, after a very long time, we are able to contact you. Bande Mataram!
dear viewer friends
i have to confess, that this is the best site, on Hinduism , i have seen till now. because :
1. this is like a big “Bhaktamall” (one of the most revered Hindu scripture where the stories of devotees is there). they have only 84 and 252 devotees, and this has more than 500.
2. this covers all the aspects of Hinduism, without giving their own opinion.
3. i recommend that anybody connected to name Hindu must read it thoroughly, everyday.
4. the book written by the author would be a fine possession. i request the author that this book be printed in Hindi and cheap like Gita Press Gorakhpur, then this would be great service to humanity.
5. through this site, one can read the whole book , without buying.
6. there are so many other points, which are difficult to elaborate here.
i salute to the site people.
ashok gupta
delhi, india