Shiva is a yogi, a cosmic dancer, a family man, an ascetic.

Shiva is a yogi, a cosmic dancer, a family man, an ascetic. But, at the highest level, he is a formless and limitless primal soul of the universe. He is called by various names like Shankar, Shambho, Maheshwar, Mahadev, Bhairav, Nataraja, Adiyogi, and so on. Shiva’s symbolic representation is that of a muscled man clothed in tiger skin with snakes adorning his body and ash smeared on it. He is also widely represented in the aniconic form of ‘lingam.’

The lingam is an abstract or an iconic representation of Shiva, used for worship in temples and shrines. In traditional Indian society, the linga is seen as a symbol of the energy and potential of Shiva himself. In Sanskrit, Linga means a "mark" or a symbol, which points to an inference. Thus the Shiva Lingam is a symbol of Lord Shiva: a mark that reminds of the Omnipotent Lord, which is formless.

Shiva Lingam speaks to the Hindu devotee in the unmistakable language of silence. It is only the outward symbol of the formless being, Lord Shiva, who is the undying soul seated in the chambers of your heart. He is your in-dweller, your innermost self or Atman, and who is identical with the supreme Brahman.

The ancient Hindu scripture Linga Purana says that the foremost Linga is devoid of smell, color, taste, and is spoken of as Prakriti, or Nature itself. In the post-Vedic period, the Lingam became symbolical of the generative power of Lord Shiva. The Lingam is like an egg and represents the Brahmanda. Lingam signifies that the creation is affected by the union of Prakriti and Purusha, the male and the female powers of Nature. It also signifies Satya, Jnana, and Ananta—Truth, Knowledge, and Infinity.! ✨🕉👁💀🌙🐍🐚📿🔱☁️🔔🌀🎨✨

Om Namah Shivaya ~ Shubh Ratri 🕉🙏