Worship of the Shivalingam is a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva and is a central practice in Hinduism. It is believed to embody Shiva’s boundless cosmic energy and is revered as a source of divine wisdom and liberation.

The Shivalingam is the symbol of supreme consciousness in the causal form. The term lingam represents the causal body, a state of existence that is invisible and unseen, but is there nonetheless. The cosmic soul or total consciousness cannot be comprehended; it is abstract, invisible and unseen, but is there, nonetheless.

Ancient Symbol

The Shivalingam is black, oval-shaped stone that is not carved or manmade. It is found in that shape and it is not carved or manmade. It ranges in size from a few inches to about fifteen feet in height. It is brought from the banks of the Narmada River. The Shivalingam is an ancient symbol of an event that triggered man’s consciousness and brought him from the instinctive level to the state of human being.

In the physical body there are twelve centers which are considered to be important points of concentration for the improvement and awakening of one’s consciousness. Of these twelve points, three are most important. One is mooladhara chakra at the base of the spine, the second is ajna chakra at the top of the spine, behind the eyebrow center, and the third id is the sahasrara chakra, the cosmic brain at the crown of the head.

These three points are considered to be the most important manifestations of Shiva. The form of Shiva in mooladhara chakra is that of a smoky grey oval shaped lingam, which has no illumination. The second center of the Shivalingam is at the ajna chakra, where it is black in color. The third center of the Shiva lingam is at the Sahasrara chakra where it is a crystal or illumined Shivalingam. The Shivalingam relates to the highest consciousness within on, which is trying to manifest.

Linga Sharira

In Samkhya philosophy and in Vedanta, the causal body is known as Linga Sharira, the subtle body which is there but one cannot see it. When one can see the crystal lingam, it explodes the images from the causal body or the unconscious within one.

Worship of and meditation on the Shivalingam is considered very important because it can explode the inner source of awareness, where infinite knowledge is hidden. The worship involves abhishekam, the sacred bathing of the linga, offerings, chanting of mantras like Om Namah Shivaya and Aarti.

Aim Hrim Klim