11 little known facts about Shivalinga

1 Shivalinga is highly misunderstood

A glance at the rounded, elliptical, an-iconic image of Shiva Lingam placed on a circular base
(known as Peedam), which is found in the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagraha) in all Shiva
temples, has given rise to various interpretations, without realizing the scientific truths
discovered by the ancient Hindu sages. The practice of worshipping Shiva Lingam as the holy
symbol of Lord Shiva, has been from time immemorial.
2 Shivalinga is not just a Hindu concept

The worship of Shiva Lingam was not confined to India and Sri Lanka only. Lingam was
referred to ‘Prayapas’ by the Romans who introduced the worship of Shiva Lingam to European
countries. The statutes of Shiva Lingams were found in the archeological findings in Babylon, a
city of ancient Mesopotamia. Further, the archeological findings in Harappa-Mohanjo-daro,
which yielded numerous Shiva Lingam statutes, have disclosed the existence of a highly evolved
culture long before the Ariyan’s immigration.
3 The three parts of Shivalinga

Shiva Lingam consists of three parts. The bottom part which is four-sided remains underground,
the middle part which is eight-sided remains on a pedestal. The top part, which is actually
worshipped, is round. The height of the round part is one-third of its circumference. The three
parts symbolize Brahma at the bottom, Vishnu in the middle and Shiva on the top. The pedestal
is provided with a passage for draining away the water that is poured on the top.
4 What does Shivalinga signify?

The Lingam symbolizes both the creative and destructive power of Lord Shiva and great sanctity
is attached to it by the devotees. It is unfortunate for some critics to have an imaginary invention
on the image of Shiva Lingam as a male organ and viewed with obscenity, but had conveniently
forgotten how a phallus could have appeared from the base. Moreover, since Lord Shiva is
described as having no form, it is ridiculous to maintain that Lingam represents a phallus.
5 How Swami Vivekananda explains Shivalinga

This is the reason why Swami Vivekananda described Shiva Lingam as the symbol of the Eternal
Brahman, when a German Orientalist, Gusta Oppert traced it to phallicism. Swami Vivekananda
cited Atharva Veda that the worship of Shiva Lingam was sung in praise of sacrificial post – a
description of the beginningless and endless of the Eternal Brahman and refuted it as an
imaginary invention.
6 The science behind Shivalinga

Shiva Lingam represents the totality of the Cosmos and the Cosmos, in turn, being represented as
a Cosmic Egg. A glance at the image of Shiva Lingam shows there is a pillar with three marks
and a Disc beneath it and sometimes with a coiling cobra snake around the Pillar and shows its
fangs above the pillar. The truth behind the scientific research by the Danish scientist, Neils
Bohr, demonstrates that Molecules made up of Atoms which consists of Proton, Neutron and
Electron, play a vital part in the composition of Shiva Lingam.

7 The Vedic science and Shivalinga

In those days instead of using these English words such as Proton, Neutron, Electron, Molecules
and Energy, the ancient sages employed the usage of the words like Lingam, Vishnu, Brahma,
Sakthi (which in turn is divided into Renuka and Rudrani), Sarppa, etc. as Sanskrit was the
dominant language in those periods.
8 A form of divinity

'Linga' in Sankrit means form or mark and it is shaped like an egg and represents the
‘Brahmanda’ or the cosmic egg. Thus it represents elliptical form of divinity. A glance at the
image of Shiva Lingam shows there is a pillar with three marks and a disc beneath it called
'Peetham' and with a coiling cobra snake around the Pillar. Shiva being worshipped as Linga
means the Consciousness in its primordial form where consciousness is entering into the Eternal
Energy (Shakti).
9 The various meanings associated with Shivalinga

Base of the ligna is called 'Peetham' and Coiled Cobra snake represents the 'Kundalini' shakti or
feminine principle of the divinity whom we refer as Mother goddess. Three rows on pillar
represents 'Brahma', Vishnu and Mahesh - different aspects of the divinity. When un-manifest
energy begins to manifest itself, the first form is always the Linga. The word Linga means the
form. Linga means a perfect ellipsoid. The first form of creation is an ellipsoid and final form
before dissolution is also an ellipsoid.
10 The spiritual meaning of Shivalinga

Thus the first form is a Linga and the final form before dissolution is also a Linga. If you become
meditative, your energies will naturally take the form of a Linga. Thus Linga means the place of
dissolution for the world and all beings. It signifies also Satya, Jnana and Ananta—Truth,
knowledge and Infinity. It indicates that Lord Siva is endowed with all-pervading and self-
luminous nature.

11 It has nothing to do with the male organ

In the Sanskrit language, the word linga refers to a ‘chief mark’ or ‘characteristic’ of something.
As a term, it is not per se a synonym for the male sexual organ, as some would believe. Linga
indicates what is outstanding and determinative. In this regard, the male sexual organ can be said
to be the distinguishing characteristic or linga of a man at a physical level, but linga in other
contexts can have quite a different meaning.

12 A universal pillar of Dharma

The Shiva linga is often a pillar of light. In special Vedic fire rituals, the fire could be made to
rise in the shape of a pillar which could also then take the shape of a man! In fact, the term
Dharma originally refers to what upholds things and can be symbolized by a pillar. The Shiva
linga is the universal pillar of Dharma. The pillar is also an inner symbol indicating the erect
spine and concentrated mind.
13 A form of Linga that heals

In Ayurvedic healing, the creation of the Prana linga or concentration of Prana at a subtle level is
what allows deep healing and rejuvenation to occur. In Vedic astrology, the Shiva linga
represents the power of light behind the Sun, Moon, planets and stars. In Vastu Shastra, the
Shiva linga is used to stabilize the spiritual and vital energy in a house, as a conduit of cosmic
forces.
14 Unmarried woman does not worship Shivalinga

Stories that highlight the fact that unmarried women are not allowed near the Shivlinga revolve
around the belief that Lord Shiva indulges in the most pure and ascetic form of meditation,
devoid of any and all forms of spiritual or carnal distraction. Since the places for these
meditations were thought to be very remote and sacred, nearly inaccessible to mortals, no man,
let alone woman was expected to be around.
15 How the legend came into being

Extreme care was taken even by Goddesses and Apsaras (heavenly courtesans at Lord Indra’s
court) to not provoke Lord Shankara during his meditations, as even the most inadvertent
disturbance could bring the wrath of the destroyer Hence, it became a legend that women should
not be allowed near a shivling.

16 How to worship Shiva

So does that mean that unmarried women cannot worship Lord Shiva at all? Not at all, they can
worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati together. In fact many unmarried women observe the
16 somvar vrat or the Monday fasts for 16 consecutive Mondays. Monday is considered to be the
day of Lord Shiva. As Lord Shiva is deemed to be the perfect husband, unmarried women fast
and pray to Lord Shiva to bless them with a good husband just like him.