The Shiva Linga

[Guest guest]

Dear Sunderh,

 

Thanks for your wonderful explanation of it all. As

you said the Buddhist pillars could have influenced

the Shiva Linga in certain places. I wish to cite an

example.

 

In Bhubaneswar there is the Bhaskareswara Siva Temple

which has a linga two stories high! It is actually the

remanant of an Ashokan pillar (set up by King Ashoka

himself and in his presence) which was later destroyed

by the shaivites and converted into a linga. The lion

capital and its circular base is now preserved at the

Orissa Museum.

 

It is interesing to know that Orissa was under the

influence of Buddhism for a considerably long time.

The walls of almost all the 50-60 temples in

Bhubaneswar contain engravings of Buddhist deities.

The deities Tara, Ugratara, Sapta Matrikas, Lakulisa

etc are still worshipped in Orissa although in

different names at some places.

 

Tantric rites were practised even after the fall of

Buddhism and went on side by side with the regular

worship of Lord Shiva. The Lingaraj Temple of

Bhubaneswar is the presiding deity of the city and is

very famous. The linga here is not man made but is a

natural rock formation.

 

Another explanation of the Shiva Linga is as a symbol

of the rising aspiration of the human will towards

God.

 

While most Shiva Lingas are encircled by a circular

base, there are temples in Bhubaneswar where the base

is a square. So there goes the yoni theory. Many think

the base is just to collect and redirect the

water/milk offering to a common tank.

 

Lord Shiva is very important to us as Swamiji was

perceived by many of his devotees to be Lord Shiva

himself.

 

Holy Mother visited Bhubaneswar to offer prayers and

worship Lingaraj Mahaprabhu at the Lingaraj Temple.

Shiva ratri is very joyously celebrated at the

Ramakrishna Math at Bhubaneswar.

 

Regards

Jagannath

 

 

 

 

 

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