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As regards the Linga, the emblem of Siva
universally venerated, some explanation is needed. Literally
Siva means auspiciousness and Linga means a sign or symbol.
Hence the 'Sivalinga' is just a symbol of the great God of the
universe ('Mahadeva') who is all-auspiciousness. As already
explained 'Siva' means the one in whom the whole creation sleeps
after dissolution. 'Linga' also means the same thing-a place
where created objects get dissolved during the disintegration of
the created universe. Since, according to Hinduism, it is the
same God that creates, sustains and destroys the universe, the
Sivalinga represents symbolically God Himself.
Whether the Sivalinga is a phallic emblem or not, is a moot
point. Phallic cults have existed in all countries and in all
civilizations. It is quite likely that the phallic cults of an
aboringinal civilization were absorbed into Hinduism and the
worship itself was elevated to honour the Father
Mother-Principle of creation. This is one view. That it is a
remnant of the Vedic Yupastambha, to which sacrificial victims
used to be tied, is another view. According to this view, the
Hindu temple is a metamorphosis of the Vedic Yagasala
(sacrificial shed). That it is an imitation of the Buddhist
stupa is another guess that is sometimes hazarded but not
subtantiated, since Sivalingas have been found even in the pre-Buddhistic
civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro.
Since God is beyond name and form, and since we cannot conceive
of an abstract principle like Him, without the aid of concrete
symbols, a rounded surface is perhaps the nearest approach to
him.
Sivalingas may be Cala (movable) or Acala (immovable). The
Cala-Lingas may be kept in the shrine of one's own home for
worship or prepared temporarily with materials like clay or
dough etc., for worship and dispensed with after the worship or
worn on the body as Istalinga as the Virasaivas do. The
Acala-lingas are those installed in temples. They are usually
made of stone and have three parts. The lowest part which is
square, is called Brahmabhaga and represents Brahma, the
creator. The middle part which is octagonal, is called
Visnu-bhaga and represents Visnu, the sustainer. These two parts
are embedded inside the pedestal. The Rudrabhaga which is
cylindrical and projects outside the pedestal is the one to
which worship is offered. Hence it is called Pujabhaga.
The Pujabhaga also contains certain lines technically called
Brahmasutra, without which the Linga becomes unfit for worship.
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