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Dictionary Of Hindoo Religion |
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Q R S T-U V-W-X Y-Z Ling,
or Lingam (1) The sign
of gender or sex. In fact they consider Ling as the flame of sacred fire and its base Yoni as the Vedee or Havan Kund. In the Shiv Puraan, Shiv is made to say - "Although I am omnipresent, I am especially present in 12 Ling, where I am called by different names". These Ling are situated in 12 different cities and are called Jyotirling. (see their list below under the heading "Jyotirling") (4) Also called Shiv Ling, Ling means mark sign or mark in Sanskrit. This is a symbol to worship Shiv. It is a short cylindrical stone with semispherical top in shape. While its origin is debated, it dates back to Indua Valley civilization. Vaman Shivram Apte's Dictionary gives 17 meanings of Ling, including, the image of God, spot or stain, a symptom or mark of disease, etc etc. An example of the use of sign occurs in Bhagvad-Geetaa - "kair lingais trin gunaan etaan, ateeto bhavati prabho". This is translated as "By what marks is He recognized who has transcended the three qualities, O Lord?" It is the most prevalent icon of Shiv - usually a short pillar with rounded top, usually set on a circular base or "Peeth". (4) The "Ling" word, as a name for Shiv, appears in "Shiv Sahastra Naam", where it is translated as "a symbol of the origin of the Universe". Images of Ling The images of Shiv Ling are usually made of stone, carved or naturally made, but may be made of metal, precious gems, crystal, earth or transitory matter like water/ice; but according to Kaaran Agam, this image can be of 12 materials - sand, rice, cooked food, river clay, cow dung, butter, Rudraaksh beads, ashes, sandalwood, Darbhaa grass, a flower garland, or molasses. Arjun fashioned a Ling of clay when worshipping Shiv; even Shree Raam also established a clay Ling at Raameshwaram while going to Lankaa; Raavan while going to fight with Sahastraarjun, liked the place seeing Narmadaa River and established Shiv Ling there and started worshipping it. This shows that there is no need to pay too much attention to make it. It also shows that God has just to be conceptualized and worshipped in any convenient for, at any place, at any time - the form itself is irrelevant, the Divine power it carries matters. Originally 12 principal Ling existed in India, of which the best known are (1) Somnaath in Gujaraat, (2) Mahaakaal at Ujjayinee, (3) Vishweshwar at Banaaras, (4) Raameshwaram in Madraas, (5) Kedaarnaath temple etc. Forms of Shiv Ling There are five
forms Lingam - (1) Prithvi, (2) Vaayu, (3) Agni, (4) Jal, and (5)
Aakaash. Asht Moorti Ved speak of Asht Moorti of Lord Shiv - (1) Sarv, (2) Bhav, (3) Rudra (4) Ugra, (5) Bheem, (6) Pashupati, (7) Mahaadev, and (8) Eeshaan. Puraan interpret them thus - (1) Sarv for earth, (2) Bhav for water, (3) Rudra for fire, (4) Ugra for wind, (5) Bheem for space, (6) Pashupati for Yajamaan, (7) Mahaadev for Chandramaa - Moon, and (8) Eeshaan for Soorya - Sun. The following are the Shiv temples worshipped in their primal form only without any special idols representing them. (1) Sarv - Bhoomi Ling in Kaancheepuram, in Tamilnaadu. It is in Shiv Kaanchee Kshetra, where he is in the form of Kshiti Ling in the Ekaamra tree (Aamra means Mango in Sankrit), which yields only one fruit per year. Paarvatee Jee worshipped this form first. There is no Abhishek done with water at this shrine, only the jasmine oil is used instead. The Devee’s name here is Kamaakshee. All the desires of the devotees are fulfilled with her gracious eyes. (2) Bhav - Jal Ling in Tiruvanaikoil, (Jambookeshwaram) in Tamilnaadu. This temple is located on the outskirts of Trichee, where Lord Jambookeshwar is seated and showers all his blessings to his devotees. The devotees can see it from the outside of Garbh Grah the water bubbles coming out from Panipeetham. There is a Jamboo tree here which is very old and very big. The legends say Lord Shiv wanted to stay here along with the Jamboo tree. So the devotees treat this tree as sacred as the Lord. (3) Rudra - Agni or Tejo (Divine Light) Ling in Tiruvannamalai, in Tamilnaadu – Arunaachaleshwara. In Tiruvannamalai, Lord Shiva is seated in the form of Tejoling. The whole mountain appears to be a Ling. As a result of Paarvatee’s great penance, a sharp spark of fire came from Arunaachal and took shape as Arunaling. (4) Ugra - Vaayu Linga in Kaalaahastee, in Aandhra Pradesh. This Shree Kaalaahasteeshwar temple is situated on the banks of Swarn Mukhee River in Shree Kaalaahastee. Spiritually elevated souls only can see that there is a strong wind blowing around the Ling. Bhakt Kannappaa story is connected to this temple. Even animals got salvation by worshipping this Lord. Three animals – Cobweb (Shree), Kaal (snake), and Hastee (elephant) prayed to God with utmost faith and devotion and attained Moksh. One can see their symbols on the Shiv Ling even today. (5) Bheem - Aakash Ling in Chidaambaram, in Tamilnaadu. This Kshetra is on the banks of Kaaveree. There is no Moorti (Shiv Ling) in the temple of Garbh Grah, so no one can see the Lord’s Moorti, except the very high spiritual souls. There is a space in the Garbh Grah and many Aabharan (ornaments) are decorated there and the devotees assume the God is seated there. A very beautiful Nataraaj Moorti is situated in outer Garbh Grah for worship and for the satisfaction of the devotees. (6) Pashupati - Yajamaan (Lord) Ling in Kaathmaandu in Nepaal. In Nepal, Pasupatinaath Kshetra is famous and the Lord here is in human form. The devotee can see the God up to his waist only. The Moorti is decorated with Gold Kavach. Nobody can enter into the Garbh Grah except the Archak (priest), not even the King of Nepal. This temple is also wish fulfilling. (7) Mahaadev - Chandra Ling in West Bengal. Chandranaath Ling is situated in West Bangaal, 34 miles away from Chatagaanv City. Many sacred Teerth surround this Kshetra. Devee Puraan lauds this Kshetra greatly. (8) Eashaan - Soorya Ling in Konaark Temple in Udeessa, near Jagannaath Puree Kshetra. Konaark is now in ruins and the temple is in fragments and now, devotees cannot see any God or Goddess here. The legend says that Shree Krishn’s son Saamb once suffered from leprosy and was cured by worshipping the Sun God and the Shiv Ling here and since then this Kshetra became a remedy center for all diseases. Even in these days the worship is going on with same faith and devotion. The
Bijleshwar Mahaadev Ling (incidence of Vashishth Jee in Rig Ved), in
Kulloo in Himaachal Pradesh. Every 12 years a metal staff, about 60 feet
high, absorbs the lightening and breaks into pieces . Later the pieces
of the Ling are covered with Sattoo and butter and thus restored ... of
course till another lightening breaks it. This is done in a secrecy by
the temple priests etc.
The
Structure of Shiv Ling
Shiv Ling
consists of three parts - (1) the bottom part, a four-sided, remains
under ground and represents Brahm, (2) The middle part which is
eight-sided remains on a pedestal and represents Vishnu, (3) and the top
part which is actually worshipped is round pillar with a rounded top is
Shiv. The height of the round part is normally 1/3rd of its
circumference.
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Created and Maintained by Sushma
Gupta
Created on 03/15/2006 and Updated on
01/21/2008
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