Mysterious cases of Shivlings found across the world

Shiva Lingam: Some unknown truths

A look at the curved, oval, iconic representation of Shiva Lingam placed on a globular base, which is found in the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagraha) of all Shiva temples, has given rise to diverse explanations, without comprehending the scientific truths revealed by the ancient Hindu sages. The practice of worshipping Shiva Lingam as the holy symbol of Lord Shiva exists since time immemorial and crosses all boundaries. Read on to know some mind-blowing theories.

Shiva Lingam was worshipped all across the globe

The worship of Shiva Lingam was not confined to India and Sri Lanka only. Lingam was referred to ‘Prayapas’ by the Romans who introduced the worship of Shiva Lingam to European countries. The statutes of Shiva Lingams were found in the archeological findings in Babylon, a city of ancient Mesopotamia. Further, the archeological findings in Harappa-Mohanjo-daro yielded numerous Shiva Lingam statutes, which disclose the existence of a highly evolved culture long before the Aryan’s immigration.

The configuration of Shiva Linga

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 pedestal is provided with a passage for draining away the water that is poured on the top.

Misinterpretations

The Lingam symbolizes both the creative and destructive power of Lord Shiva and great sanctity is attached to it by the devotees. This does not mean others should give a false meaning to the image of Shiva Lingam. It is unfortunate for some critics to have an imaginary invention on the image of Shiva Lingam as a male organ and viewed with obscenity, but had conveniently forgotten how a phallus could have appeared from the base.

The concept

Since Lord Shiva is described as having no form, it is ridiculous to maintain that Lingam represents a phallus. This is the reason why Swami Vivekananda described Shiva Lingam as the symbol of the Eternal Brahman, when a German Orientalist, Gusta Oppert traced it to phallicism. Swami Vivekananda cited Atharva Veda that the worship of Shiva Lingam was sung in praise of sacrificial post – a description of the beginningless and endless of the Eternal Brahman and refuted it as an imaginary invention.

Kinds of Shivalinga

The Lingam is shaped like an egg and represents the ‘Brahmanda’ or the cosmic egg. There are two types of Shiva Lingam. One is a black meteorite egg-shaped stone. It is said that such a stone is installed at Kabba in Mecca. The other one is man-made and is solidified mercury. Solidifying mercury is an ancient Vedic science. Shiva Lingam represents the totality of the Cosmos and the Cosmos, in turn, being represented as a Cosmic Egg.

Six kinds of Shivalingas

1. Daiva-lingas are those installed and worshipped by the gods and other celestial beings, and thus named after them. They continue to exist in the present day and on earth, but their origin is traditionally ascribed to the gods. 2. Asura-lingas are those installed by the class of the wicked titans (known as asuras) but were pious and zealous devotees of Shiva (like Ravana); 3. Arsha-lingas were installed and worshipped by sages of yore (like Agastya).

Various kinds of Shivalingas

4. Purana-lingas are those which have been celebrated as installed at the very distinct past by mythical personages. 5. Manusha-lingas are those that have been caused to be made by human patrons (rulers, chieftans, wealthy folk etc) in historical times and 6. Svayambhu-lingas are the forms which Shiva assumed to manifest himself.

Ancient Shiva Linga in Ireland

In County Meath, Ireland, on the Hill of Tara sits a mysterious stone known as the Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny). According to The Annals of the Four Masters, an ancient document written by Franciscan Monks between 1632-1636 AD, this stone was brought to Ireland by the Tuatha Dé Danann - supernaturally gifted people. Some speculate it was they who brought the power to make bronze to Ireland. They were the main deities of pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland.

The legend

The Tuatha Dé Danann, meaning the children of the goddess Danu, are said to have ruled Ireland from 1897 B.C. to 1700 B.C. having arrived from the coast on ships. The Christian monks viewed the stone as a pagan stone idol symbolic of fertility. This stone was so important that it was used for the coronation of all Irish Kings up until 500 AD. The goddess Danu in European tradition was a river goddess. In some Irish texts her father is said to be Dagda (the good god), a father figure in Irish tradition.

The Vedic connection

The Vedic tradition also has a goddess Danu, the daughter of Daksha, wife of Kasyapa Muni, who was a goddess of the rivers. The word Danu in Sanskrit means 'flowing water'. As the daughter of Daksha, her sister Sati was married to Lord Shiva. To practitioners of Vedic tradition the Lia Fáil matches very closely to the Shiva Linga. Eventually the Tuatha Dé Danann were defeated in battle. According to legend, they were allowed to stay in Ireland only under the ground as the 'Aes sidhe' - people of the fairy mounds.

Ancient Shiva Lingas Found throughout Vietnam

Vietnam was the home to a vibrant Vedic civilization. Many spectacular temples and sculptures still remain to this day .Throughout Vietnam many ancient Shiva Lingas have been found, dating back thousands of years. This is further proof of the vast extent of Vedic culture throughout the world.

Etruscan Museum at the Vatican

This piece is at present on view in the Etruscan Museum at the Vatican in Rome. Encyclopedia Britannica mentions under the headings "Etruria" and "Etruscan" that between the 2nd and 7th centuries BC, northern Italy was known as Etruria. During excavations many such "meteoric stones mounted on carved pedestals" are discovered in Italy. Obviously, therefore, this one was dug up from the Vatican itself. Many more must be lying buried in the Vatican's massive walls and numerous cellars.

5,000 year old Shivalinga found at Harappa

In 1940, archaeologist M.S. Vats discovered three Shiva Lingas at Harappa, dating more than 5,000 years old. This rare archival photo shows that ancient Shiva Linga as it was being excavated from the Harappa site.

Shivalinga in Africa

There is Shiva in Kailasha and there is Shiva in Kashi and now in Africa too. The discovery of a Shiva idol in South Africa is the proof that 6000 years ago Africans used to worship him. Archeologists have found 6000 year old Shivalinga in a cave named Sudwara in South Africa and it is made of hard granite stone. The archeologists are amazed that how the Shivalinga survived there for so long.

Statue of Lord Shiva’s sacred bull found in Indonesia

Archaeologists have found a statue of Nandi, the sacred bull that carried the Hindu god Shiva, among the ruins of what is believed to be an ancient temple at an excavation site in Yogyakarta in Indonesia. The head of the excavation team from the Yogyakarta Antiquities and Relics Conservation Agency said, “The statue is exquisite. The sculpture is carved differently from other statues of Nandi. This one is not depicted as fat.”

Other findings

Previous discoveries at the site, which is located on the Indonesian Islamic University campus, include a statue of Ganesha, Shiva’s divine son; a linga , the symbol of worship for Shiva; and a yoni , a Hindu symbol for divine passage or birth. The head of the excavation team said that archeologists were working under the assumption that the pillars had not been destroyed by a volcanic mudflow hundreds of years ago, but had instead been removed by people.

Lord Shiva and Roman God Neptune

Notice the trident on this statue of Neptune, typical of Shiva. The trident was always an emblem of Lord Shiva. Neptune is also seen here standing on an entity in which case Shiva is also seen at times standing on the being of ignorance, illusion, or maya, showing that he is not affected by the power of the illusory energy. Also here, Neptune's hand is raised in a calming gesture, and when Shiva's hand is raised it signifies abhaya or giving blessings and represents sthiti, or preservation and protection.

Wandering impressions of Vedic culture

Thus, anyone familiar with Vedic culture will realize that he is styled in a similar way to Lord Shiva. This shows how the impressions of Vedic culture and its gods came from India, though styles and names may have changed as it traveled west.

Tale behind how Jalandhar was killed by Lord Shiva

The Real Tale

Once upon a time, Lord Indra was going to Kailash mountain to meet Lord Shiva along with sage Brihaspati. Lord Shiva came to know about their arrival and wanted to test Indra’s devotion towards himself.

Indra meets Shiva

So, Lord Shiva met them on their way disguised as a hermit. But Indra did not recognise Lord Shiva. Indra inquired as to who he was and where he lived. Lord Shiva sat quietly without replying to his question. Indra asked him again and again, but Lord Shiva did not reply. Indra became angry and tried to attack Lord Shiva with his vajra (sword).

Divine Power

Lord Shiva, in turn, paralysed the hands of Indra using his divine power. Shiva's eyes turned to red with anger, which frightened Indra. Sage Brihaspati immediately realised that the hermit was none other than Lord Shiva.

Indra pardoned

The sage appealed to Lord Shiva that he should pardon Indra. Lord Shiva indeed became pleased and diverted the power of his open third eye to the sea. Then, Lord Shiva went back to Kailash mountain, and Indra and sage Brihaspati returned back to their own spheres.

A child born of flames

Meanwhjile, the heat from Shiva’s third eye, which was transferred to the sea, resulted in the manifestation of a small child. As soon as he was born, the child began to cry so loudly that all around, fear was created. The deities and sages approached Lord Brahma to seek help, who in turn assured them of a solution.

Child named Jalandhar

Lord Brahma then went to the seashore to check out the child. The sea placed the child in his lap and asked him what name should be given to the unique child. Just then, the child pressed Lord Brahma's neck with such force that tears rolled down from his eyes. For this reason, Brahma named the child “Jalandhar”, according to one legend.

King of demons

Lord Brahma told the sea that the child would become king of the demons and no deity would be able to kill him except Shiva himself. After Lord Brahma returned to his abode, the sea took care of the child.

Vrinda and Jalandhar

Jalandhar grew up and married Vrinda, the daughter of Kalnemi. Later, he became king of the demons. One day, sage Bhrigu came to meet Jalandhar. Jalandhar asked him who had severed the head of Rahu. Sage Bhrigu then told him about Hiranyakashipu, the maternal uncle of Rahu.

Rahu’s head

Sage Bhrigu also told him about Virochana - the son of the mighty king Bali. He also narrated the story of the churning of the ocean and how ambrosia emerged from the churning. He told him how Rahu's head was severed by Lord Vishnu while Rahu was sitting among the deities when ambrosia was being distributed to all the deities.

An angry Jalandhar

Jalandhar became angry after hearing this tale. He sent one of his messengers, named Ghasmar, to Indra - to ask him why he took all the wealth of his father, the sea, which emerged during the churning of the sea.

Warning to Indra

Jalandhar also instructed Ghasmar to warn Indra about dire consequences unless he took refuge. Indra sent back Ghasmar without any specific assurance and this made Jalandhar even more angry and he attacked Indra with his army.

A fierce battle

A fierce battle was fought between the armies of Jalandhar and dieties and many warriors died from both sides. Shukracharya, the guru of the demons, brought back the dead warriors from the demon side back to life with his Mritasanjivani Vidya.

Drongiri mountain

Sage Brihaspati brought back the dead warriors from the deities side back to life with the help of medicinal herbs. When Shukracharya saw that sage Brihaspati was also successfully making the dead deities alive, he instructed Jalandhar to submerge the Drongiri mountain into the sea so that it became impossible for Brihaspati to get the medicinal herbs by the help of which he made the dead deities alive.

Lakshmi and Jalandhar

Jalandhar submerged the Drongiri mountain into the sea and the deities became demoralised and fled from the battlefield. Jalandhar thus captured Swargaloka. Then deities went to Lord Vishnu and asked for his help. Lord Vishnu agreed to help them, but Goddess Lakshmi considered Jalandhar as her brother because both of them originated from the sea.

Plea for Jalandhar

She asked Lord Vishnu not to kill Jalandhar. Lord Vishnu promised her that he would not kill Jalandhar and he went to fight a battle against Jalandhar. A fierce battle was fought between Lord Vishnu and Jalandhar, which remained indecisive till the end. Lord Vishnu became very much impressed by the valiance of Jalandhar and asked him to demand any boon he liked.

Ksheersagar

Jalandhar requested him to make Ksheersagar (sea of milk) the abode of Jalandhar along with his sister Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu agreed to fulfil his wish and started living in Ksheersagar along with his consort Lakshmi. Being undefeated even by Lord Vishnu, Jalandhar became the ruler of all the three worlds. All his subjects were satisfied by his virtuous rule except the deities.

Defeating Jalandhar

Then deities prayed to Lord Shiva to seek his help in defeating Jalandhar. According to the wish of lord Shiva, Sage Narada came to meet the deities. The deities narrated their woeful tales to him. Sage Narada went to meet Jalandhar and received a grand reception by Jalandhar, which pleased him very much.

Narada’s praise

Narada praised the splendours and prosperity of Jalandhar but said that it was nothing in comparison to Shiva's splendours. Narada told him that inspite of all his authority and splendours, his prosperity was still incomplete, as he did not have a consort. Jalandhar asked him where could he find his consort.

Parvati as his consort

Narada told Jalandhar to make Parvati his consort and Jalandhar fell into Narada's trap. He sent Rahu to Lord Shiva with a proposal to part from Parvati. Rahu went to Lord Shiva and demanded Parvati, which made Lord Shiva very angry. His anger resulted in the creation of a ferocious creature, which ran towards Rahu to devour him.

Rahu was clueless

Rahu had no option but to take the refuge of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva protected the life of Rahu. The hungry creature asked Lord Shiva as to what should he eat to satisfy his hunger. Lord Shiva instructed him to devour his own limbs.

Devouring its own limbs

The creative followed his instructions and devoured his limbs. Lord Shiva was very pleased by his sense of obedience. He thus blessed him saying that he too would be worshipped along with him.

Jalandhar attacks Kailash

Rahu then went back to Jalandhar and narrated the whole thing to him. Jalandhar launched an attack on Kailash mountain with his army. A fierce battle was fought between the Shiva-ganas and the demons. When Jalandhar realised that Lord Shiva had begun to dominate the battle, he created beautiful Apsaras and Gandharvas.

Apsaras cast their spell

By his magical powers to divert the attention of Lord Shiva and his ganas. Lord Shiva and his ganas became enchanted by the beauty of the apsaras. They stopped fighting and started watching their dance and music.

Disguised as Lord Shiva

In the meantime, Jalandhar went to Parvati disguised as Lord Shiva, but was recognised by her. Being enchanted by the beauty of goddess Parvati, he looked at her with evil intention, but was immobilised by her wrath. Goddess Parvati then went to Lord Vishnu and narrated the whole tale.

Vishnu and Jalandhar

Parvati requested Lord Vishnu to go to Jalandhar's wife in the guise of Jalandhar and act in the same way. With the help of his divine powers, Lord Vishnu created many inauspicious dreams while Vrinda was asleep. Vrinda became very restless and when the anxieties become unbearable, she proceeded towards the forest.

Vrinda goes to the forest

Vrinda saw a hermit in the forest who was preaching to his disciples. The hermit was none other than Lord Vishnu. She went to that hermit and prayed to save her husband's life. Lord Vishnu disappeared from the there and reappeared in the guise of Jalandhar, but Vrinda was unable to recognise the real identity of her husband. She was very pleased after finding her husband. Both of them stayed in that very forest as husband and wife for a very long time.

Vrinda curses Vishnu

One day, she came to know about the real identity of the person who was acting as her husband. Realizing that her chastity has been breached, she cursed Lord Vishnu that just as he had cheated her, in the same way somebody would abduct his wife and he too would wander in her search.

Vrinda jumps into fire

After cursing Lord Vishnu, Vrinda ends her life by entering into a fire. On the other side, after the departure of Parvati from Kailash mountain and after the illusionary powers created by Jalandhar had ended, all the apsaras and gandharvas vanish.

Demons Shumbh and Nishumbh

Shiva realised that whatever he was watching, was nothing more than illusion. Lord Shiva resumed his battle. The demons Shumbh and Nishumbh came forward to fight with him, but ultimately, they had to flee from the battlefield. Then, Jalandhar arrived to fight with Lord Shiva.

Fierce battle

A fierce battle commenced between them. Lord Shiva severed the head of Jalandhar using his chakra, which had been created from his toe. After his death, Jalandhar's soul united with Lord Shiva. Then dieties came to Lord Shiva and praised him. Lord Vishnu was very much saddened by the death of Vrinda. He took the ashes from the pyre and after applying them on his body started wondering here and there. The deities became very worried to see the condition of Lord Vishnu.

Deities approach Goddess Parvati

They went to Lord Shiva and requested him to eliminate the false attachment with which Sri Vishnu was suffering. Lord Shiva sent the deities to Goddess Parvati, saying that she would help in this regard. The deities go to Goddess Parvati and pray to her.

Assistance of Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati

She became very pleased and with the assistance of Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati, gave some seeds to them. The deities sprayed those seeds on the pyre, on which Vrinda had given up her life. Three holy plants manifested from that pyre - Amla, Tulsi and Malti. Later on, Tulsi and Malti attained Vishnuloka by the virtue of their penance.

Shiva

Shiva (or Siva) is one of the most important gods in the Hindu pantheon and, along with Brahma and Vishnu, is considered a member of the holy trinity (trimurti) of Hinduism. A complex character, he may represent goodness, benevolence and serve as the Protector but he also has a darker side as the leader of evil spirits, ghosts and vampires and as the master of thieves, villains and beggars. He is also associated with Time, and particularly as the destroyer of all things. Nevertheless, Shiva is also associated with creation. In Hinduism, the universe is thought to regenerate in cycles (every 2,160,000,000 years). Shiva destroys the universe at the end of each cycle which then allows for a new Creation. Shiva is also the great ascetic, abstaining from all forms of indulgence and pleasure, concentrating rather on meditation as a means to find perfect happiness. He is the most important Hindu god for the Shaivism sect, the patron of Yogis and Brahmins, and also the protector of the Vedas, the sacred texts. 

There is no clue about the origin and birth of the Lord Shiva but it is considered according to the Hindu mythology that, once Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were arguing that which one of them as well as in the universe is more powerful. In order to searching for the most powerful power they had started going in the opposite directions. There was an immense blistering pillar appeared in front of them, they decided to search for the root and end branch of that pillar. Its been long but they never found the root as well as the end branch of that pillar. After being unsuccessful they had returned back and seen that there is a God Shiva rising out from the pillar’s opening. They found the supreme power and believed that the extreme power exists except both of us who can rule and destroy the universe.

Shiva, Parvati & Ganesha

Shiva’s wife was Parvati, often incarnated as Kali and Durga. She was in fact a reincarnation of Sati (or Dakshayani), the daughter of the god Daksha. Daksha did not approve of Sati’s marriage to Shiva and even went further and held a special sacrificial ceremony to all the gods except Shiva. Outraged at this slight, Sati threw herself on the sacrificial fire. Shiva reacted to this tragedy by creating two demons (Virabhadra and Rudrakali) from his hair who wreaked havoc on the ceremony and beheaded Daksha. The other gods appealed to Shiva to end the violence and, complying, he brought Daksha back to life but with the head of a ram (or goat). Sati was eventually reincarnated as Parvati in her next life and she re-married Shiva.

With Parvati, Shiva had a son, the god Ganesha. The boy was in fact created out of earth and clay to keep her company and protect her while Shiva went on his meditative wanderings. However, Shiva returned one day and, finding the boy guarding the room where Parvati was bathing, he enquired who he was. Not believing the boy was his son, and thinking him an impudent beggar, Shiva called up the bhutaganas demons who fought the boy and eventually managed to distract him with the appearance of the beautiful Maya and, whilst he admired the beauty, they lopped off his head. At the commotion, Parvati rushed from her bath and screamed that her son had been killed. Realising his error, Shiva then sent for a new head with which to make the boy whole again but the nearest at hand was of an elephant. And so Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, was born. Other sons of Shiva are Skanda or Karttikeya, the god of war and Kuvera, the god of treasures.

Ganga (the goddess who personified the river Ganges) was given to Shiva by Vishnu who could not take any more of the constant quarrels between his then three wives of Lakshmi (goddess of good fortune), Saraswati (goddess of wisdom) and Ganga. To cushion Ganga’s fall to the earth, and prevent such a great river destroying civilisation, Shiva caught her in his hair topknot; once again, illustrating his quality of self-sacrifice. 

Shiva’s Great Deeds

As with any major god, Shiva was involved in many adventurous episodes which illustrate his virtuous character and offer instruction on how to live correctly. For example, self-sacrifice is emphasised when Vasuki, the king of Serpents, threatened to vomit snake venom across the seas. Shiva, assuming the form of a giant tortoise or turtle, collected the venom in his palm and drank it. The poison burned his throat and left a permanent blue scar, hence one of his many titles became Nilakantha or Blue Throat. 

Another celebrated episode describes how Shiva became associated with the bull Nandi. One day, Surabhi, who was the original mother of all the world’s cows, began to give birth to an untold number of perfectly white cows. The milk from all these cows flooded the home of Shiva, somewhere in the Himalaya. Angry at this disturbance to his meditation, the god struck the cows with fire from his third eye. In consequence, patches of the cows’ hides were turned brown. Still angry, the other gods sought to calm Shiva down by offering him a magnificent bull - Nandi, the son of Surabhi and Kasyapa - which Shiva accepted and rode. Nandi also became the protector of all animals. 

Shiva is closely associated with the Linga (or Lingham) - a phallus or symbol of fertility or divine energy found in temples to the god. Following the death of Sarti, and before her reincarnation, Shiva was in mourning and went to the Daru forest to live with rishis or sages. However, the wives of the rishis soon began to take an interest in Shiva. In jealousy, the rishis first sent a large antelope and then a gigantic tiger against the god but Shiva swiftly dealt with them and wore the tiger skin thereafter. The sages then cursed Shiva’s manhood which, in consequence, fell off. When the phallus struck the ground, earthquakes began and the ricsis became afraid and asked for forgiveness. This was given but Shiva told them to forever after worship the phallus as the symbolic Linga.