The Shivalingam and Its Worship

The Shivalingam (lingam for short) is an ubiquitous representation of God in Hinduism. It is as prevalent a form of worship as is Lord Ganesha. The worship of the lingam can be found in all the sects of Hinduism. Even in the Vaishnava sect, lingam worship is present as Ishwara instead of Shivalingam. In all the other sects of Hinduism the lingam is called Shivalingam. 

Shivalingam means the mark of Shiva; lingam means mark or symbol. The Shivalingam or Ishwara represents God in His/Her third Aspect of Parabrahman. In this Aspect God is absolutely transcendent. So transcendent that this Aspect of God is aloof from existence, yet mysteriously connected. The transcendence of Parabrahman limits the experience of Parabrahman to the depths of meditation–in the state of nirvikalpa samadhi. Thus one cannot experience Parabrahman through worship or in ordinary consciousness as one can the other two aspects of God. Yet the Shivalingam is an object of worship. The place for the Shivalingam in worship is more a symbolic reminder to the devotee about his or her ultimate goal of life–that is to Realize God; one gains full realization of God only after realizing God as Parabrahman through nirvikalpa samadhi. 

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