What is Shivling – Myth & Truth
There are multiple stories explaining Shivling and each of them contains different information. It has also been misinterpreted that a Shivling refers to male genital! We invested some time to find the myth and truth about Shivling and explaining the same in this post. The real meaning and explanation of Shivling have been derived from Shiv Puarana.
Once upon a time students asked Guru Sutji about the story behind Shivling worship, then he replied that this question can be answered only by Lord Shiva. He continued that Lord Shiva is the only one who is known as ‘Brahma Roop’ (divine form). This mean he doesn’t have any form or body shape like living things and his formless (निराकार) existence is worshiped as Shivling.Lord Shiva is also worshiped in form of deity (साकार). In this form Lord Shiva appeared as an idol.
Guru Sutji again explained that on Mandarachal mountain Sanat Kumar asked Nandi (mount of Lord Shiva) the same question i.e. story behind the worship of Shivling.
- Nandi narrated a story where Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a ‘pillar of light’ (Jyotirstambha – ज्योतीस्तंभ) and asked Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to find the top end and bottom end of that pillar!
- Lord Bramha started to find the top end of the pillar and Lord Vishnu moved forward to find bottom end of the pillar.
- It looked like both the Gods were unable to find the top end and bottom end. However, Lord Brahma attempted to prove that he found the top end of the pillar and asked flower ketaki to become the witness of this. Flower ketaki agreed to Lord Bramha’s request.
- Lord Shiva knew that it’s not possible to find any end of the pillar and he cursed ketki flower that it will never be used in Lord Shiva worship and Lord Brahma will never be worshipped like other gods.
- After this, Lord Bramha and Lord Vishnu worshipped the pillar form of Lord Shiva which was later converted into Shivling by Lord Shiva (So that devatas can easily preach the linga for their wish completion). That day is known as Shivratri and Lord Shiva told that whoever will worship him in the lingam form on Shivratri will get his blessings.
- Pillar form of Lord Shiva was infinite and was burning with fire and Lord Shiva converted that in lingam form known as Shivling (Shivlingam – शिवलिंग).
- As mentioned in Shiva Purana, Shivling is the most preferred way to worship Lord Shiva. Chant ‘Om Namah Shivay’ when you worship Shivling and Chant ‘Shiva Panchakshara Stotram’ when you worship idol form of Lord Shiva.
In a nutshell,
Shivling is the formless existence of Lord Shiva, which is established across every temple and being worshipped by us.
In Gita it is written that God is both sakar and nirakar, meaning both having form and formless, as we are in the world which is visible and there is another world which is formless and invisible, but God is not less than anything so he is formless and also having Sakar form, so nothing can be wrong it’s just the way of our preaching, if you like to preach from then do it you will achieve god via idol-worship and if you want to worship formless then after meditating on the idol or a lamp or a statue or a photo of god you can get the truth inside you and you will know the formless god also, so its better not to involve in such worldly things just find peace of mind inside you and spread love not hatred