3 Parts Of Siva Linga

 

Many believe that "LINGA" means male reproductive organ and Shiva Lingam is 'Phallus', the symbol of generative power in nature.But this is a wrong assumption even by many Hindus due to their ignorance and lack of understanding sanskrit.Infact "SISNA" is correct sanskrit word for male phallus and not Lingam.Over many years, ignorance and misinterpretations made many believe that Lingam means 'Phallus'.

Siva Purana describes formation of Lingam as a pillar of light for which top and bottom were never found.The night when this pillar of light appeared is celebrated as Mahasivaratri.

Siva Linga consists of 3 parts:
Lowest of which is called the "Brahma-Pitha" which creates the universe,
Middle one is the "Vishnu-Pitha" which preserves the creation, and
Uppermost one, the "Siva-Pitha" which destroys or absorbs everything back into itself.

Linga is shaped like an egg, and represents the ‘Brahmanda‘ or the cosmic egg.It signifies that the creation is effected by the union of ‘Prakriti‘ and ‘Purusha,’ the male and the female powers of Nature

 

 

In Sanskrit, Linga means a ‘mark‘ or a symbol, which points to an inference.Thus, Siva Lingam is a mark that reminds of the Omnipotent Lord, who is formless.

Original Siva Lingas were Salagramas, which were oval/egg shaped, representing the shape of solar system and also the galaxy.They are still worshipped as Siva Lingas, after being placed vertically on a mount(peetham or Paanapattam) across many temples.This Linga is shaped like an egg, and represents the ‘Brahmanda‘ or the cosmic egg.Linga signifies that the creation is effected by the union of ‘Prakriti‘ and ‘Purusha,’ the male and the female powers of Nature.Linga Purana says that the foremost Linga is devoid of smell, colour, taste, etc, and is spoken of as ‘Prakriti‘ or Nature itself.