.....contd....TRYIG TO UNDERSTAND SHIVA

Regarding the antiquity of the worship of the Sivalinga, we may rely upon a tradition popular throughout the Indian subcontinent and which is recorded in the Kashikhand of the Skandpurana. According to this source, the oldest Sivalinga known as Avimukteswar linga was founded at Varanasi during the reign of Divodasa – a king of the Solar Dynasty, also known as King Ripunjaya. The story goes that once there was terrible famine for many years and people had practically no regard for morality or religion. Vedic sacrificial rites had not been performed anywhere. Then God appeared before Ripunjaya and asked him for re-establishing morality and religious practices. If he was successful in doing this, then he would be given the surname ‘Divodasa’ – servant of the Gods. Ripunjaya then proposed that the Gods leave for the time being, so that he may find out the enemies of religion from everywhere and then prepare for re-establishment of Vedic religion. God agreed and told the presiding diety, Lord Siva to leave Varanasi. Then Lord Siva, while leaving the city, left the Avimukteshwar – a symbol of his own self at a hidden place so that his devotees could worship him during his absence. Hence it is known as ‘Adilinga’ – which is thumb-sized.

Let us now try to understand the symbolism of this ancient story. In those days probably religious practices were of two types –firstly the Vedic rituals – which were performed with pomp and fanfare, like yagya etc., and secondly, the Linga worship – which was done secretly. According to the story the Gods were asked to leave. This probably meant that the huge Lingas used for Vedic rituals were removed because in times of famine, their proper worship was not possible. Thus for re-establishment of Dharma a personal form of worship – in the form of small thumb-sized Lingas may have been initiated by the king so as to bring about some form of worship and order into society. However, the story may also be a symbolization of how Siva Linga-worship i.e., a Vedic (Siva) and a non-Vedic (linga) concept were conjoined and thus a non-Vedic concept was incorporated into the Vedic religion of the rulers to pacify and win over the ordinary population of the area who were probably the enemies of the religion followed by the Vedic rulers. By getting the big Lingas removed and starting the small Siva-linga worship Ripunjaya was able to re-establish the peace and Vedic religion in that area. Another advantage of Linga-worship is that it being a form of personal worship, it could do away (or simplify) with the elaborate Vedic rituals which required a lot of money and time for their performance and thus were not possible for the laymen to perform, on an everyday basis especially during times of famine – when there was nothing even to eat. Also, if people had to go away from home for the purpose of trade, business visiting one another etc., it would have been difficult to follow and perform the elaborate Vedic rituals. But the simplicity of Siva-linga worship was a perfect answer to all these problems. As can be understood, any stone more or less of a particular shape could be called a Siva-linga. Siva-linga could be made out of sand or wet mud also. ‘Abhishek’ or worship of the Siva-linga could be done by offering just water (available everywhere) and milk (if possible) and leaves and/or flowers according to their availability. Thus this story may also signify the breaking free from the bondage of rigid and elaborate Vedic rituals for the common man.

“Linga” in Vedic parlance also meant “mark” or symbol of God. The linga is a simple form, no eyes, ears, no great artistic shape, no ornaments or other adornments – hence there is nothing to distract the mind while worshipping or meditating on the Lord. Also, the Linga is in a sort of dome-shaped. This shape helps concentrate maximum energy within the dome. Hence this shape helps in increasing the concentration of the mind of the devotee. According to Swami Sivananda, “The external Abhishekam is intended to help the growth of the Bhakta (devotee) for the Lord. When you do Abhishek with Bhav and devotion, your mind is concentrated. Gradually your heart is filled with the brilliant image of the Lord. You lose body-consciousness and egoism vanishes. In this state of self-forgetfulness, you enjoy the supreme bliss of Lord Shiva.”

Siva is also known as “Pasupati”. “Pasu” in earlier scriptures meant ‘soul’ - one who is tied by a “Pash” or rein to the Universe – or material world. “Pati” means Lord or master. So Siva as Pasupati implies that He is the Lord of the Souls and that the individual soul can unite with Him when this bondage or “Pash” is broken or cut off.

.....to be contd....
Dr. Poonam Mehra