What Is The Mystery Of Shiva Linga

Shiva Linga

          In Hindus, you can find the trinity of Gods as you can see in Christianity. Hindu trinity Gods are Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. If you go to any Shiva temple you could find a shapeless rock which is worshipped as Lord Shiva. This is very different from the other Brahma or Vishnu temple. In other Brahma and Vishnu temples, you could find beautiful sculptures of gods. But in most of the famous Shiva temples, a shapeless rock is worshipped as Lord Shiva. 

The Twelve Shiva Linga worshipped in India

          This rock is called Shiva Linga. It is considered to be an abstract representation of Lord Shiva. The first evidence of this Shiva Linga was found in Mohenjodaro. These Shiva Lingas are dated to sometime around 2300 BCE. In Harappa civilization, you can also find the evidence of Shiva Linga. In the Kalibangan site of Harappa, archaeologists found a small terracotta replica of Shiva Linga. Shiva Lingas were also recovered from the Indus valley civilization.

Linga Purana

          So it is very clear that people were worshipping this shapeless rock as Lord Shiva from ancient times. But the main question is from where did it come? To know the answer you have to read the Linga Purana.

          There are several stories about the creation of this Shiva Linga. One of the famous stories is the story of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.

Lord Shiva Blessing Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu

          According to the story of the Puranas, one day Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were Quarrelling to prove their superiority. Lord Brahma claimed, “I created the World. So I am the superior. I must the God in the first place.”

     Lord Vishnu displeased by this answer replied, "It is true that you have created this world but you are seeking validation. It means you cannot be God in the first place."

     Lord Brahma replied with arrogance, “Then who is the God in the first place?”

     Suddenly a pillar of fire appeared between them. The pillar was so huge that it stretched up beyond the sky and below the foundation of the Earth. Both Lords decided to look for the end of this pillar of fire. Lord Brahma decided to look for the top end whereas Lord Vishnu decided to look for the bottom end.

     Lord Brahma took a form of a swan and flew up in search of the end of the pillar. Lord Vishnu took a form of a boar and dug his way down. Lord Brahma flew for months but there was no sign of the top of this pillar. Lord Vishnu also dug for months but could not find the end of this pillar. Finally, they both returned to the place from where they had started.

     Lord Vishnu admitted, “I tried hard but I could not find the end of this pillar of fire. This pillar is endless and infinite.”

     Lord Brahma lied to show himself more superior, “I have found the top of this pillar. I even found a Ketaki flower on the top. I have done what you could not do. So it is proved that I am greater than you. Therefore I must be God in the first place."

     As soon as Lord Brahma said this, the pillar of fire burst open and from it came out another god. He looked like a beggar smeared with ash and was wearing animal skin. He shouted pointing his finger to Lord Brahma, “Liar. You lied to dominate everyone in this world. You are not God.”

     Then he turned towards Lord Vishnu and said with a smile, "You are humble enough to accept your failure. You admit the truth. You are in the process of becoming God in the first place."

     When the beggar was asked about his identity he said, “If a formless can be given a form then I am he. I am God. I am shiva.”

     Since that day the pillar-shaped stones are worshipped by all as a reminder of the pillar of flames that appeared between Brahma and Vishnu.

          There is another story about the creation of the Shiva Linga that we could find from the ancient myths.

Narmada River Stone

      One day a sculpture was given a rock and ordered to crave a sculpture of God. He tried hard to imagine the form of God but failed. He started thinking that if he craved a plant, he would exclude humans and animals. If he craved an animal, he would exclude the plants and humans. If he craved humans, he would exclude the animals and the plants. If he craved a male, he would exclude female and if he craved a female, he would exclude the males. But God is for every living thing in this world.

     Finally, he decided the only way to create a god, was by creating no form. God is beyond shape, gender or species. Overwhelmed by this thought, the sculpture left the stone as it was. This was the Linga, the container of infinity, the form of the formless.

     The name given to the god was Shiva. Shiva means the pure one. It also means that which is transcendent. Shiva means the God who can’t be contained by time or space. Shiva means the God who needs no form.

From that time all started to worship Linga as Lord Shiva as a pure and infinite form. But the rocks that were worshipped as Shiva Linga in ancient times were not like today. They did not have a base like they have now. This type of stone can only be found in the river Narmada. 

          So this was the two stories about the creation of the Shiva Linga. If you like my story please read and share. Thank you for being with me.