It is regarded as a form of spiritual iconography.Īs per the Shiva Purana, the Shiva Lingam has been described as the beginning-less and endless cosmic pillar of fire. It is a simple cylinder that is set inside a yoni and placed within a disc-shaped platform.
What is Shivling, according to Shiv Puran?Ī Shiva Lingam is an abstract or aniconic representation of Lord Shiva. The Shiva Purana was written by Romaharshana, who was the disciple of Sage Vyasa, belonging to Suta class. You may like Lord Shiva Mantras Who wrote Shiva Purana? Shiva is known by numerous names such as Vishwanath, Mahadeva, Maheshwar, Shankara, Shambu, Rudra, Neelakantha, Trilokinatha, Hara, Devendra, and Ghrneshwar (lord of compassion). Here, the root word “Si” means “in whom all things lay” and “Va” signifies “embodiment of grace.” The Vedas portray Shiva as Rudra who is the auspicious one and liberates the soul from the bondage of life and death. The Sanskrit word, Shiva, means auspicious, gracious, kind, benevolent, and friendly.
However, he is usually worshipped in the Lingam figure. In his Nataraja form, Shiva is worshipped in a human figure format. Shiva is portrayed to be omnipresent, omnipotent, and even present in the form of one’s consciousness. The Hindus call Shiva as “Parabhrahman” which means nothingness. He is usually worshipped in the iconic form of Shiva “Lingam.” He adorns the third eye on his forehead and holds the Trishul or Trident as his weapon. He adorns the crescent Moon, and the holy Ganga River flows from his matted hair. Shiva is shown with a serpent around his neck. Shiva is also known as “Adiyogi” and is regarded as the patron God of yoga, meditation, and arts. However, in his fierce aspects, Shiva is portrayed as slaying the demons. He is also depicted as a householder having Parvati as his wife, and Ganesh and Kartikeya as his two children. In fact, Hindu scriptures have both benevolent and fearsome depictions of Lord Shiva.Īs far as his benevolent aspects are concerned, Shiva has been described as an omniscient Yogi who leads the life of an ascetic on Mount Kailash. The text proves an important source of historical information on the theology behind Shaivism around 2nd-millennium CE. The Shiva Purana also throws significant insights on Advaita Vedanta philosophy. The Shiva Purana contains several chapters that are centered on Shiva cosmology, mythology, and relationship with Gods, Yoga, Ethics, Pilgrimage Sites, Bhakti, Rivers, as well as Geography and other topics.
Some of its chapters were likely composed after the 14th century. It is estimated that the oldest manuscript of surviving texts had been likely composed around 10th to 11th century CE. However, like other Puranas, Shiva Purana also existed as a living text that was occasionally edited, recast, as well as revised over a long period. For example, one major version has seven books another version has six books, and the third version is traced to the medieval Bengal region of the Indian Subcontinent that has two large sections, namely the “Purva-Khanda” and the “Uttara Khanda.” Its surviving manuscripts have been found in many different versions and content.