(Lingam at Varanasi)

Egg-shaped stone; symbol of Shiva; the form of the formless; symbolizes merger of the form with the formless. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

The Linga is the form of God, emerging from the Nirakara (formless) to the sakara (form-filled). Other akaras are all subsumed in the Linga form. (SSS Vol.8, p. 127)

The lingam that emerges from the universal Absolute (Brahman) is the cosmos, conceived first as an idea, formed later as a will and finally adopted as a wish. The cosmos is the will of Shiva concretised, the wish realised, you too are, therefore, willed by Shiva and formed by Shiva from Himself.

It is the symbol of emergence of the five primordial elements. The Linga is the essence of all attributes and names. It is the formless with Form, nameless with name, the primal emergent from the Divine. (SSSm Vol.4, p. 51)

The powers of man are limited by his experience and knowledge. He is just a pinda, while the Lord is the anda, the force pervading the entire universe or cosmos, the Brahmanda. The anda-pinda lingam symbolises this body-limb relationship, the part-whole aspect of Madhava and Man. The Sadashiva lingam represents the ever-auspicious atma, which is beyond all dual aspects and concepts, immanent in all beings and everywhere. The Jnana-lingam is the sign of the attainment of Jnana, when the last vestige of delusion of ‘I’ is wiped off; even the feeling ‘I know’ is gone; then you are the atma, pure and whole, entire and enduring - then your condition is best represented by the symbol of Atma linga. (SSS Vol.2, p. 103)

A real Guru must be like Sadashiva lingam, full of ananda welling up from the consciousness of his Divinity. (SSS Vol.2, p. 104)

Ishvara is also symbolised in the Linga Form. Linga is derived from the Sanskrit root, Li, which means Liyate, ‘merges’; it is the Form in which all forms merge. Shiva is the God who blesses beings with the most desirable gift of meaning in the Universe. That is the end, beyond death, which one should strive for, the end, which Shiva can vouchsafe. (SSS Vol.12, pp. 15-16)

The construction of the Mandir named Shivam is a special Sadhana for the residents of Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad). Its appearance is unique, for it is to be built in the shape of a Linga, the Form most approximate to the conception of the formless, attribunte-less Absolute. The Linga is the Form of God, emerging from the Nirakara to the Sakara. Other akaras (Forms) are all subsumed in the Linga Form. Prakriti or the Objective World is the base; it signifies that the Lord is established in that manifestation of His, which is the Concrete Presentation of His Play, His Potentiality and His Power, His Shakti. That is why the Lord is described as Shiva-Shakti Atma Swarupam, the Supreme that became the Shiva and the Shakti, the latent and the patent. You will notice that the base has a horizontal superstructure, over which the cylindrical Linga is placed. The base is Satyam the Structure over it is Shivam and the Linga is Sundaram. One is the Flower, the second is the Perfume and the third is the Wind, the Formless that wafts the fragrance, which is the symbol of Auspiciousness, Mangalam, which is Shivam. Satyam or Truth is the base on which the Universe and all that is implied rest.

The message this building will convey is that man is the embodiment of Satyam, Shivam and Sundaram, and it will call on all to live up to that glory. He has to realise the Truth and demonstrate in thought, word and deed that Truth is the very basis of his existence. Know the Truth and the Truth shall make you strong, steady, kin with all, and free from the swallow the poison of anger and greed, and make it ineffective in its effort to harm the world. Spread consolation and comfort through speech and action.

Shiva wears the Crescent on His Crown so that the soft moonlight might mark out the pilgrim route to God, and make the journey less toilsome. He spreads joy and peace. But, the fiery ferocious poison, Shiva hides behind the blue patch on His throat. That is a lesson for man: keep under restraint, within you, the qualities and tendencies that are anti-social, the poisonous hatreds and competitive greeds. The Shivam does not mean any particular God or unit of the Trinity. It includes all mankind, for man has to realise that he is Shivam. Then, the Sundaram too is a reminder that Truth is beauty, and Beauty is Divine, not mere physical beauty but, moral and spiritual beauty. Give up ugly thoughts, unpleasant speech and disgusting acts. Have the ideal of beauty ever in mind. Avadani said just now that such buildings are the landmarks of the Sai Era and that they should be built all over India. I have no such desire. I do not appreciate or encourage such accumulations of stone and cement, of brick and mortar. I long to reside in your hearts, fragrant with the incense of fine virtues, merciful intentions and compassionate emotions. That is the Shivam I desire, the Mandir built of Truth, Beauty and Goodness. (SSS Vol.8, pp. 127-128)

The lingam is the form of God, emerging from the formless to the form. Other forms are all subsumed in the lingam form. The objective world is the base; it signifies that the Lord is established in that manifestation of His, which is the concrete presentation of His play, His potentiality, and His power.... (LA, p. 32)

( Lingam given by Bhagavan to the author)

This body is an Angamu (limb) of society. There exists a Sangamu (association of attributes) in Angamu, a Jangamu (individual soul) in Sangamu and Lingamu (Paramatma) in Jangamu. Linga is Atma, which is our very principle of life. That is why Atma is considered to be of the form of Linga. A Linga has neither a beginning nor an end. It has no head or feet. Hence, when you worship, you can keep it any way you like. The Atma has a name but not a specific form. Bliss is its true form. It is very much present in us. When you crave for external happiness, you lose your innate bliss also.

(Lingodbhavam)

Tonight Lingodbhavam will take place. I created this Linga in answer to his (Sri B. N. Narasimhamurthy) prayer. But another Linga will emerge from within. In this manner, I can create any number of Lingas. Everything is in My hand. The Lingas that came from the hand, from the stomach, from the mouth, all are one. Wherever you see, there is the principle of Atma. Understand this unity. Along with your education, develop Atmic feeling. When you develop Atmic feeling, evil qualities like jealousy, hatred, etc., will not come near you. You will not be perturbed by pain and suffering. You will be in a state of non-dualism. That is true bliss. Focus your mind on God. Follow his command. (SSS Vol.36, p. 28)

The Lingam is the form of God, emerging from Nirakara (formless) to the Sakara (form). It is transitional link between the formless and form-aspect of Godhead. Other akaras (forms) are all included in the Linga form. Just as Om is the verbal symbol of God, the Lingam is the symbolic form of the Godhead. Lingam means that in which this Jagat (universe) attains Laya (dissolution); that into which this Jagat goes ultimately (Gamyate).

The Lingam represents the Emergence of the Cosmos from the formless as well the Mergence of Cosmos into formless, just as the Sun appears as a huge crimson disc when it rises and when it sets.

The Linga is the symbol of the universal into which all particulars merge, and from which all particulars emerge. The Linga is the Shivaswarupa, the real for the Reality. The Lingodbhava (the birth/ production of Lingam) is an announcement of the Advent of the Avatar as the Guide and the Leader. The way in which the Avatar has to be used for one’s liberation and uplift is: Watch His every step. Observe His actions and activities and follow the guiding principle of which His Life is an elaboration. Mark His love, His compassion, His wisdom, and try to bring them into your own life. Offer your heart to God; God will be one with you, the heart of your heart. Do not exaggerate the creation and the manifestation of the Linga; it is only the Manifestation of an atom of My majeasty. In Me who can create worlds and fill the universe, there are things more worthy of adoration; universal love, the teaching of Dharma, the revival of the Vedas, the fostering of the good, the benediction of Zahakis.

The powers of man are limited by his experience and knowledge. He is just a Pinda (embryo), while the Lord is the Anda (egg), the force pervading the entire Universe. The Anda-pinda lingam symbolizes this body-limb relationship. The part-whole aspect of Madhava and Man. The Sadashiva Lingam represents the ever-auspicious atma., which is beyond all dual aspects and concepts, immanent in all beings and everywhere. The Jnana Lingam is the sign of the attainment of Jnana, when the last vestige of delusion of ‘I’ is wiped off; even the feeling ‘I know’ is gone; then you are the atma, pure and whole, entire and enduring – then your condition is best represented by the symbol of Atma linga. (NNSG Vol.7, pp. 9-11)

Power can be acquired if you keep company with aspirants for spiritual progress (Sadhakas), not otherwise. By anga (limbs) you cultivate sanga (company). By means of proper use of body with its limbs and senses, you are enabled to be in the midst of devoted and dedicated persons. Through Sanga, you become dedicated (Jangam).

This association removes attachment to worldly things and you become a ‘wondering mendicant’ type of a person, a Jangam, not rooted to any spot or status or standard of life, or any family or group of kinsmen. Through Jangam you discover the Lingam (the Form of God). This life of true renunciation promotes spiritual progress to such an extent that you realise the Formless, Attributeless, Absolute, symbolized by the Linga. You seek God in temples and light lamps there, to see Him more clearly; learn to see Him in your own heart and in the hearts of all beings. He is now not visible, due to the thick dust-cloud of ignorance and egoism. The cow ignores the health-giving milk it has in its own udder; it craves for the water in which rice is washed.

On Shivaratri, the mind must become laya, reduces into nothing. Lingam means that in which this Jagat attains laya, Liyate; that into which the Jagat goes, gamyate. Examine the Linga; the three gunas are represented by the three-tiered peeta (base); the Lingam above symbolizes the goal of life. Lingam means ‘a symbol’, the symbol of creation, the result of activity of the three gunas and the Brahman which permeates it and gives it meaning and value. When you worship the Lingam, you should do so with faith in this symbolic significance. (NNSG Vol.7, pp. 12-13)

Just as Om is the verbal symbol of God, the lingam is the symbolic form of the Godhead. Lingam symbolises the goal of life. (DM, p. 171)

The lingam which has just been generated is called Prutree Lingam. The five elemental substances which constitute the creation of the world are present in this Prutree Lingam. In the past, lingams have been named according to the various attributes, which they contained. This Prutree Lingam, signifying the entire creation, bolds within it the basis of all creations. (S&M, p. 171)

(Sathya Sai Baba with hiranyagarbha lingam)

As you can see, the size of this of this lingam is rather big. There is a meaning behind this. This is five ounces (tolas) in weight. In every human being, there is golden essence of five tolas known as Hiranyagarbha. You may be aware that there re some medicines with gold as an ingredient. Gold represents energy in man and is the cause of his radiance. The gold content within each body is of this size. It is this golden essence that makes the eyes to see and the ears to hear. There are thousand (tastes) buds in our tongue and thousands of light rays in the eyes. The eyes, tongue and other sense organs derive strength from the magnetic power present within. The golden essence pervades the entire body as a shield of protection. There is a thin layer of white skin just beneath the normal skin, which acts as a protective sheath for the blood. There will be bleeding only when the white skin is cut. God has kept when skin below the normal skin for the sake of protection. Whatever God does is for the welfare of all. This is the meaning of the prayer, Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu (May all beings of world be happy). (S.S, pp. 24-25)