The term "Lingam" in Sanskrit signifies a "mark" or a symbol that indicates something beyond itself. According to the Shiva Purana, the Shiva Linga symbolizes an infinite pillar of light, representing Shiva in his formless aspect, known as nishkala Shiva. Thus, the Shiva Lingam serves as a symbol or representation of Lord Shiva, rather than depicting any physical form, such as a male organ. This symbolic representation holds profound significance in relation to cosmic creation. In this article we will focus on the Shivalinga.
History of Shiva Lingam
The Shiva Lingam has been discovered not only in Harappan archaeological sites but also in ancient Mesopotamia, specifically in Babylon. It is regrettable that some critics misinterpret the Shiva Lingam as a male organ, overlooking its deeper symbolic significance. The Linga Purana describes the primary Lingam as transcending sensory properties such as smell, colour, and taste, and identifies it with Prakriti, or Nature itself. Symbolically, the Lingam is likened to an egg, representing the cosmic egg or Brahmanda, which underscores its connection to universal creation.
Significance of Shiva Lingam
The Lingam symbolizes the union of Prakriti and Purusha, the fundamental male and female forces of nature, representing concepts such as Truth, Knowledge, and Infinity. A Shiva Linga consists of three parts:
1.Brahma-Pitha - This is the lowest part, four-sided and usually underground, representing the creator deity, Brahma.
2.Vishnu-Pitha - The middle section, eight-sided and positioned on a pedestal, symbolizes Vishnu, the preserver.
3.Shiva-Pitha - The topmost part, which is circular and worshipped, represents Shiva, the destroyer.
The proportions of these parts are symbolically significant, with the height of the Shiva-Pitha being one-third of its circumference. This structure is detailed in the Linga Purana, Part 2, Chapter 47, illustrating the interconnected roles of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva in Hindu cosmology.
मूले ब्रह्मा वसति भगवान्मध्यभागेच विष्णु: ।
सर्वेशानः पशुपतिरजो रुद्रमूर्तिर्वरेण्यः ।।
The Shiva Lingam symbolically represents different aspects of the universe and its energies, explained through Hindu cosmology as well as analogous to atomic structure in modern science:
1.Brahma-Pitha (the base) - This represents Brahma, the creator, symbolized as the electron, which is negatively charged. In atomic terms, electrons facilitate the creation of molecules by enabling chemical bonding, reflecting Brahma's role as the creator in Hindu mythology.
2.Vishnu-Pitha (the middle) - This part symbolizes Vishnu, the preserver, represented as the proton, which is positively charged. The depiction of Vishnu with a lotus arising from his navel, on which Brahma is seated, illustrates the interaction between electrons (Brahma) and protons (Vishnu), highlighting their opposite charges and the fundamental forces holding the atom together.
3.Shiva-Pitha (the top) - At the top is Shiva, represented as the neutron, neutral in charge. In the atomic nucleus, neutrons help stabilize the atom much like Shiva maintains universal balance and stability through calm and meditation. Shiva's meditative state symbolizes the stability of an atom when the neutrons are balanced with protons.
Surrounding the Shiva Linga is the Shakti, representing energy. Shakti is depicted in two forms:
•Renuka (normal state): Symbolizes energy when Shiva (neutron) is undisturbed, maintaining atomic stability.
•Rudrani (Kali) (disturbed state): Indicates potential chaos or disaster, akin to atomic instability leading to reactions like fission.
This analogy aligns with Niels Bohr's atomic model, where the structure of an atom is defined by its nucleus (composed of protons and neutrons) and electrons, and the interactions between these particles define the stability and reactivity of the atom. Just as Shiva's calmness results in universal stability, the balance in the atomic nucleus ensures the atom's stability. These symbolic representations illustrate how ancient Hindu philosophy and modern science converge in describing fundamental aspects of reality, using the Shiva Linga as a model for atomic structure and universal energies.
Conclusion
In simpler terms, Brahma is said to have created Maya, which is an illusion or the concept of a reality that does not truly exist, though we live as if it does. To help us navigate and eventually transcend Maya, Vishnu takes various incarnations and teaches us valuable lessons. Shiva, on the other hand, serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal of Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth). He is also seen as a destroyer, not just of the physical world when necessary, but of the negative qualities within us (the Rajas and Tamas gunas) that hinder our spiritual progress towards enlightenment and liberation.
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