Why is the worship of the Shiva Linga so significant? What is the mystery behind the serpent around Shiva's neck and the half-moon on his forehead?

 

Shiva or Mahadev is one of the most important deities in the ancient culture. He is also known as the God of gods. Lord Shiva is a subject that holds immense significance. Understanding or comprehending Mahadev isn't something within the grasp of an ordinary person; it requires elevating one's level of intellect. Therefore, first and foremost, we need to understand Shiva.

Who is Shiva?

Shiva is not a person; he is an essence, a principle from which everything operates. The essence of Shiva is the essence of this universe. Just as elements like earth, fire, water, and air exist within the element of space, similarly, the essence of Shiva pervades the entire universe. This is why Shiva is depicted in blue, signifying the depth of experience that even a naive child can comprehend.

What is the form of Shiva?

Shiva has no particular form; hence, worshiping his 'idol' isn't practiced everywhere; instead, the worship of the 'Shivalinga' is performed. Shiva should not be conceived as a person who sat in meditation 15,000 years ago. The divine essence of Shiva transcends human understanding, which is why it's represented as formless. Worshiping the 'Shivalinga' is thus performed because it represents the formless essence of Shiva. It symbolizes the essence that cannot be penetrated by speech or thought; that essence is the Shiva principle. Meditation leads to the experience of the Shiva principle.

What is the relationship between Shiva and Nature?

It's said that the marriage of Shiva (the male principle) with Shakti, meaning Nature, happened. It means all of nature is within the essence of Shiva. Understanding the Shiva principle enables the understanding of other elements of nature. In nature, there are said to be a total of 36 elements, with the first being earth and the 36th being the Shiva principle. The essence of Shiva pervades every object in the universe.

What is the hidden meaning behind the symbols of Shiva?

Understanding oneself is akin to understanding the Shiva principle. The half-moon on Shiva's forehead represents a part of our minds where knowledge resides. The serpent around Shiva's neck is a symbol of alertness and awareness. You're either awake or deeply asleep. The fourth state between wakefulness, sleep, and dreaming is called the 'turiya' state. That is the Shiva principle. It's a state of self-awareness.

Even though someone may have acquired knowledge, comprehending all knowledge is challenging. The Shiva principle provides a glimpse into this profound understanding.

Therefore, the cosmic dance of Shiva, the symbolism of the serpent and the moon together express the inherent deep knowledge in culture. Shiva's half-female form represents both power and the union of Shiva and Shakti.

Setting up the 'Linga' symbolizes a connection with space. No person can be directly connected externally with space. Only someone who has experienced it internally can do so. Hence, a stone, a 'Linga', symbolizes the representative presence of the Shiva principle. The stone is a symbolic representation of that essence, which pervades the entire cosmos. Shiva is omnipresent. Thus, our ancestors expressed consciousness through symbols.

People visit specific places for worshiping Shiva for a reason.

The term 'Jyotirlinga' signifies the form of light. By sitting there, one can experience the power and energy within themselves. The twelve Jyotirlingas invite people to experience the divine energy and consciousness within themselves.

Saints and ascetics have established divine presence (prana pratishtha) at certain places such as Jyotirlingas, temples, etc., where the divine energy is abundant, aiding in deep meditation and enhancing one's consciousness.