THE ORIGIN OF SHIVA LINGA शिवलिंग

The sages asked Sutji सूत जी --- Lord Shiva भगवान् शिव is formless then how come Shiva Linga शिवलिंग is worshipped? What is the significance of Shiva Linga शिवलिंग? What is the proper method of worshipping a Shiva Linga शिवलिंग?

Sutji सूत जी replied--- Once, Lord Brahma ब्रह्मा and Lord Vishnu विष्णु developed serious different on the matter of superiority. A tremendous duel broke out between them. As they were fighting a mammoth Linga लिंग appeared on the scene, the effulgence of which made efforts both of them amazed. Both of them decided to find out the origin of that divine Linga लिंग. Lord Brahma ब्रह्मा transformed his appearance into that of a swan and flew up in the sky to determine the height of that Linga लिंग. Lord Vishnu विष्णु transformed himself into a roar and entered the depth of earth to find the source of that Shiva Linga शिवलिंग. But both of them failed in their objectives and returned to the same place exhausted.

Suddenly, they heard a loud sound of AUM ॐ emanating from the Shiva Linga शिवलिंग. Very soon, the whole form of OM ॐ, consisting of all the three letters A, U and M became visible. (The letters A, U and M symbolize Lord Brahma ब्रह्मा, Vishnu विष्णु and Mahesh respectively).

At last, both of them realized their mistake and stopped quarrelling. This way, Lord Shiva भगवान् शिव was successful in subduing their arrogance. Lord Rudra रूद्र is beyond sensual perception. He is the supreme Almighty and the bestowers of divine bliss. The mystical form of Shivalinga शिवलिंग is a symbolical expression of sacred mantra-AUM ॐ.

The letter

A symbolizes Beeja बीज (Seed),

U is the symbolical expression of Yoni योनि (Vagina). And

M the creator himself

Lord Rudra रूद्र is beyond sensual perception. He is the supreme Almighty and the bestowers of divine bliss. The mystical form of Shivalinga शिवलिंग is a symbolical expression of sacred mantra-AUM ॐ. The letter A symbolizes Beeja बीज (Seed), M the creator himself and U is the symbolical expression of Yoni योनि (Vagina).

LORD SHIVA BLESSES BRAHMA & VISHNU विष्णु

At the time, when this incident of mystical Shiva linga शिवलिंग had occurred and after which Lord Brahma ब्रह्मा and Vishnu had stopped quarrelling, Lord Shiva भगवान् शिव appeared before them and said---

"I am very pleased with both of you, Both of –

"O Vishnu! विष्णु You are the creator, Lord Shiva भगवान् शिव. This made Lord Shiva भगवान् शिव extremely pleased and him the preserver as well as the destroyer of this world. I am the supreme you, though having distinct identities have actually manifested from my body-Brahma ब्रह्मा from my left side and Vishnu विष्णु from my right." almighty and distinct from all three of you-Brahma ब्रह्मा, Vishnu विष्णु and Mahesh महेश. Lord Vishnu विष्णु expressed his undiluted devotion towards Lord Shiva भगवान् शिव. This made Lord Shiva भगवान् शिव extremely pleased and he said.

"O Vishnu विष्णु! You are the creator, the preserver as well as the destroyer of this world. I am the supreme almighty and distinct from all three of you-Brahma ब्रह्मा, Vishnu विष्णु and Mahesh महेश."

Linga लिंग is the personification of the Almighty God. The term Linga लिंग means fusion and the Shivalinga शिवलिंग are said to be the symbolical expression of all the deities.