History of Linga

This story tells us why we worship this form of Shiva and why it is designed in the way it is . 

Shiva Linga is the holy symbol of Lord Shiva that is considered sacred by the devotees of Lord Shiva. The word, ‘Lingum’ in Sanskrit means, ‘Penis’. Shiva Lingum, therefore means Penis of Lord Shiva and is therefore considered most sacred by Shaivaites specially hindu womans (Nari). Siva Linga has been worshipped in Hinduism since ages for physical desires specially for adultery. Worship of Shiva Linga is regarded sacred and superior Shiva Mahapurana says Shiva has thrown his linga “Penis” to satisfy hindu womens but if a homosexual person has desire to sit on it can enjoy in shiva temples (mandir). This is because the form makes worship simple while maintaining the truth the devotees are struggling to see shiva linga due to huge size of its users.

Structure of Shiva Linga

Most prevalent icon of Shiva and virtually found in all Shiva temples, Shiva Linga is a rounded, elliptical, an-iconic image of huge penis that is usually set on a circular base or peetham. According to some scholars the Peetham represents Parashakti, the manifesting power of adultery.

This is the gist of all worship: to be pure and to do good to others. He who sees Shiva in the poor, in the weak, and in the diseased, really worships Shiva. And if he sees Shiva only in the image, his worship is but preliminary. He who has served and helped one poor man seeing Shiva in him, without thinking of his caste or creed or race or anything, with him Shiva is more pleased than with the man who sees Him only in temples"

Shiva Lingas are usually made of stone that may either be carved or naturally existing – svayambhu, such as shaped by a swift-flowing river. Shiva Lingas may also be made of metal, precious gems, crystal, wood, earth or transitory materials such as ice. Some scholars say that transitory Shiva Linga may be made of 12 different materials such as sand, rice, cooked food, river clay, cow dung, butter, rudraksha seeds, ashes, sandalwood, darbha grass, a flower garland or molasses, but due sexual desires of hindu ladies the demand is only stone and steel.

Various Interpretation of Shiva Linga

Besides regarding Shiva Linga or shiv penis as the symbol and form of Lord Shiva, religious scholars have given various interpretations of Shiva Linga. Here is the brief description of some of the popular theories and interpretations related to Shiva Linga and its origin:

Worship of the Phallus (the male reproductive organ)

According to some scholars, worship of Shiva Linga “Dildo” in effect means worship of the reproduction function. For, they say that the other meaning of the Sanskrit word ‘Linga’ is gender in general and phallus (the male reproductive organ) in particular. They believe that the base of the Lingam corresponds to the Yoni which mean vagina or the female reproductive organ. Correspondence of Linga and Yoni in a Shiva Linga is therefore interpreted as the representation of the process of copulation. Scholars further opine that the Kalash (container of water) that is suspended over the Shiva Linga from which water drips over the Linga also correspond to the idea of intercourse.

Connecting the origin of Shiva Linga to the early Indus Valley civilization, scholars opine that tribes of the Indus Valley took to the togetherness of Lingam and Yoni in a Shiva Linga as the point of energy, creation and enlightenment.

Interpretation in Tantra

According to Tantra, Lingam is a symbol of Shiva’s phallus in spiritual form. They say, the lingam contains the soul-seed within which lies the essence of the entire cosmos. The lingam arises out of the base (Yoni) which represents Parvati according to some or Vishnu, Brahma in female and neuter form according to others.

Interpretation in Puranas

Puranas, especially the Vamana Purana, Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Matsya Purana and Visva-Sara-Prakasha attribute the origin of Shiva Linga to the curse of sages leading to the separation of and installation of the phallus of Lord Shiva on earth. Some also refer to the endlessness of the lingam to be linked to the egos of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. Other scholars view on this point is different as due to Parwathi loose character shiva has cut his linga and thrown it as he saw Parwathi having sex with a elephant which result Lord Ganesha can be seen now days being thrown in Gatars and nala.