The word Shivalingam has been derived from sanskrit roots Shiva (Lord) + Lingam (Mark/Symbol).

The word Shivalingam has been derived from sanskrit roots Shiva (Lord) + Lingam (Mark/Symbol). Hence, Shivalingam is the mark of lord within its creation. Everything in the world arises out of a dome/a ball/ a pindi, be it a tree which comes from a seed, or a child. All heavenly bodies are round, the minutest of cells are round and our very earth is round. Every thing being round is a mark of the Lord Shiva. Since Shiva cant be comprehended, we worship his mark or we worship the whole Brahman in a Shivalingam. Shiva Lingam consists of three parts. The bottom part which is four-sided remains underground, the middle part which is eight-sided remains on a pedestal. The top part, which is actually worshipped, is round. The height of the round part is one-third of its circumference. The three parts symbolize Brahma at the bottom, Vishnu in the middle and Shiva on the top. The Lingam symbolizes both the creative and destructive power of Lord Shiva and great sanctity is attached to it by the devotees.

"Lord Shiva is smaller than the sub-atomic particle like Proton, Neutron and Electron. At the same time, he also mentions Lord Shiva is greater than anything greatest. He is the cause of vitality in all living things. Everything, whether living or non-living, originates from Shiva. He has engulfed the whole world. He is Timeless. He has no birth, no death. He is invisible, unmanifested. He is the Soul of the Soul. There is a mysterious or indescribable power in the Shiva Lingam to induce concentration of the mind and helps focus one’s attention." ~ Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata.

Arjuna established a Lingam out of clay for worshipping Lord Shiva. Similarly, in Ramayana, before crossing to Sri Lanka, Rama established a Shiva Lingam at Rameswaram for worshipping Lord Shiva. These instances show that God may be conceptualised and worshipped in any convenient form. It is the divine power that it represents, is all that matters and here we see that both Arjuna in Mahabharata and Rama worship Lord Shiva as Nirguna Brahman or the formless Supreme Being. ✨🌀✨