Lord Shiva is one of the trinity of the Hindu Religion. Hinduism has no founder. Hinduism affects the lives of billions of people in ancient and contemporary days. Currently, it has around 24% of world's population as followers. Hinduism is the way of living and devotion to the faith of the ternion of gods, Brahma(creator), Vishnu(preserver ), and Shiva(destroyer). One can never understand Hinduism without knowing Shiva and his symbolic representation, Shivling.
Shiva is worshipped in the lingam avatar in many temples and shrines. In Sanskrit, Linga means sign. Lingam is a cylindrical votary object that is generally embedded in yoni, or spouted dish.It is also known as shivling or shivling in many parts of the country. Shivling is a universal pillar of Dharma. The pillar is an inner symbol indicating the erected spine and concentrated mind. This symbol represents the union of Shiva and Shakti. When the lingam is laid on a Yoni, it represents the beginning of creation. It signifies Satya(truth) ,Janna(knowledge) and Anantha (infinity). Shivling is mostly found in center ( garbh)of the temple. There are 12 jyotirlinga in India. They are most sacred and most visited temples of India scattered all over the East Asian region. Jyotirlinga is a devotional representation of Lord Shiva. The word is originated from Sanskrit which means jyoti and linga. It is believed that if a Hindu visit all the 12 jyotirlinga absolves all the sins and makes the soul pious and pure.
Origin of Shivling
According to Shevtasvatara Upnishad, linga is form given to formless Brahman. Lingam indicates that it is sign of emergence and mergence of anything. As per the holy text, Shiva linga origin related to Mahashivratri, a Hindu festival. It is a story of the unsuccessful search of Brahma and Vishnu which was about to find out the Aadi(starting) and Anth(end) of Lord Shiva before the beginning of universe creation. They get to know the supremacy of lord Shiva after searching of end and beginning of the endless pillar of fire for yugs( longest periods of time).
According to Shiva Puran, original of lingam, known as shivling, is the beginning- less and endless cosmic pillar( stambh) of fire, the cause of all causes. It (lingodbhava) symbolises the superiority over all the gods as Brahma(God of origin) and Vishnu( god of wellness). Shivling is also mentioned in epics of Hinduism. In Ramayan, it is mentioned that Lord Rama prayed to lord Shiva in Rameshwaram to take his blessings to fight Ravana. He worshipped the shivling that Ravana kept at Rameshwaram when he was called for natural call previously. Another instance is from Mahabharata, where Arjuna made a Shivling out of sand and clay to worship Lord Shiva.
SHIVLING AND ITS TYPES
Shivlings are categorised into different types on the basis of material used, marks, formation and story behind. There is an exact proportion of height, width and curvature of Shivling. To name a few Mukhalinga(one face from five carved on sides and top), Lingodhbhavamirti(a linga emerging out), linga with a cobra top, swayambhu (self originated linga) and Spatik lingam(linga made of quartz).
These shivlings come in different shapes and styles. The material used could be black sandalwood paste, marble, white marble, sandstone, Mercury, brass and gold and silver too. One can buy small shivling too to keep it at home temple at an affordable price in online arena too.
Worshipping Shivling
One should pour milk and water onto the shivling.
People do worship black shivling for energy channelling, healing chakras and boost vitality.
Some people worship white marble shivling to enhance their moods and meditations, removing negative thoughts like suicidal thoughts and improving concentration.
Parad shivling is also worshipped at large scale to have positivity, physical and mental strengthening of one being. It is also placed at home for occurrence of Lakshmi.
One should always chant “Om Namah Shivay” while pouting water onto the shivling.
Always take bath before worshipping the shivling.
Many people offer Belpata and Belphal to Shivling.
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