When we make offerings to the Lingam and invokes Shiva and Shakti, we are acknowledging and celebrating the fact that Shiva and Shakti are not separate.

“Every God and Goddess in Hinduism can be understood from at least four stand points: the absolute, the cosmic, the departmental and incarnate that appears on earth to re-establish dharma. From the highest stand points, shiva is the formless absolute Reality – the nature of pure consciousness. From the cosmic stance, shiva represents the Lord of the Universe as Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer. From the departmental stand point, he is worshipped as the deity in charge of the power of destruction and lastly in the fourth aspect, Shiva is said to have appeared in numerous incarnations as a guru, avatar, an enlightened master who teaches the knowledge of the self. Adi Shankaracharya and Dakshinamurti are considered to be some of his avatars.

In Shiv Maha Puran, Sanat Kumar says that only Lord Shiva is worshipped in two forms, viz.- the (I) Nishkala form of a Linga and (II) the Sakala form of a moorti. All other Devas, including Lord Brahama and Lord Vishnu are worshipped in their Sakala form i.e. in moorti form.

The literal meaning of the word Linga symbolises visible sign of something invisible. The Shiv Linga is of an ellipsoid shape. Linga denotes something, which has neither any beginning nor an end. It is unlimited and never ending. The Shiv Linga is the symbol of Shiva in the act of creation.

When we make offerings to the Lingam and invokes Shiva and Shakti, we are acknowledging and celebrating the fact that Shiva and Shakti are not separate. That is, as husband and wife, Shiva and Parvati may appear to be two but in fact they are but one. Hence we give so much importance to the Lingam in Shiva temples across regions.

The Shiva Lingam is a miniature representation of the egg-shaped universe. By venerating the Shiva Lingam, we are paying our respects to the entire cosmos, seeing it as an embodiment of auspiciousness and divine consciousness. The Shivalingam teaches us to to perceive and realize the truth that service of the world encompasses all living beings, and in such service is visible the path to salvation. This is the essence of Shiva Worship.

The term Shiva Lingam is composed of two words – ‘Shiva’ and ‘Lingam’ one of the meanings of the word, ‘Shiva’ is auspiciousness. Whosoever worships the Shiva Lingam with an understanding of its true meaning and knowledge of its true Principle, will be blessed.

The word Lingam also refers to the principle into which everything ultimately desolves or merges. The Lingam is that form, from which the cosmos arose and into which it will dissolve eventually. The rishis who investigated the nature and origin of the universe discovered through tapas or meditation, that the source and substratum of everything is Brahman. Brahman alone is real, the world is illusory; the individual and the universe soul are one; “Brahman – satyam – jagat – Mithya/jivo – Brahmaivah – napara”. It cannot be described and signified by words. The fountain head of all attributes, it is itself attributeless and formless.

The Shivalingam symbolises the universe rising from the Brahman. The supreme truth, which is attributeless, is beyond name, form and individuality. The Shivalingam represents all this in a tangible form. Scientists describe the shape of the universe as ellipsoidal or egg-like and is referred to in Indic Tradition as andam or brahmandam.

Therefore, by paying obeisance to the lingam, we are merely bowing before the cosmos as well as acknowledging the power of oneness. By worshipping the egg shaped Shiva Lingam, it is hoped that the aspirant – will come aware of all this. When we sing “akash – linga – phaiman, atma-linga – phaiman” it means “may all pervading God, who is as expressive as akash or the sky, protect us, may the paramatma or supreme soul who is of the nature of our true self, protect us”.

At the start of the creation, the Supreme Truth manifested into Prakriti or nature and Purusha or the indwelling principle. Purusha and Prakriti are not two different concepts – they are one, just as fire and the power to burn are one, and they cannot be separated.

In the same way, Shiva represents the principle of the unchanging, changeless substratum behind all change in the universe and Shakti, the cause of change or flux. The Shivalingam is a symbol of Shiva – Shakti union. The concept of unity is very relevant in family as well. The husband and wife must live with one mind, they need to complement each other. By meditating on the Lingam, we will be inspired to realise this Supreme Truth.

These are the Sutras of Lingashtakam:-
Brahma Murari Surarchita Lingam,
Nirmala Bhashita Shobhita Lingam
Janmaja Dukha Vinaashakha Lingam,
Tat Pranamaami Sadashiva Lingam
I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods, which is praised by pure and holy speeches and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.”