Shivalingam is the symbolic representation of God Mahadeva – the God of Gods also known as Shiva as mentioned in the ancient scriptures. He is the third among the eternal and holy Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. God Mahadeva/Shiva is known to be the Destroyer of negativities, sin, grief and everything inauspicious. Lord Shiva has a large number of devotees who keep Shivalingam in the home to seek His blessings and protection. It brings positive and peaceful vibrations in the dwelling as the Shiva-Shakti energy resides in the Lingam and Yoni/ Shivalingam.
How Shivalingam came into existence?
According to the oldest story in Shiva Purana, there was a fight between Lord Brahma and Vishnu about who is the most superior and powerful among them. During this dispute, Lord Shiva appeared as an infinite pillar of light that passed through the three worlds. He asked both of them to find the end of the pillar so they went looking for it in the opposite directions i.e. upwards and downwards.
None of them could find the end of the pillar but Lord Brahma lied that he found the apex. This made Lord Shiva furious and He cursed that Lord Brahma will never be worshipped by anyone. Further, the huge pillar or Stambha in Hindi was worshipped as Shivalingam. It had the presence of Lord Shiva and people started praying to the Shivalingam since then.
Significance of Shivling
When worshipping Lord Shiva, Shivalingam is of tremendous importance because it has the combined energies of ShivaShakti. It has to be handled with proper care and that is why it is often looked after by the priests in temples. Shiva Lingam denotes the Supreme power of Shiva, the supreme God. Ardent devotees meditate in front of the Linga idol for many years to appease Shiva.
Nothing is more powerful than a Shivaling while praying to Lord Shiva which is why it holds spiritual and religious significance. There are different types of Shivling idols and they are crafted on various stones, gemstones, etc. The most beneficial of all is Sphatik Shivling which radiates beautifully and has the potential to bless the worshipper in all aspects of life.
Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram, etc. are the temples in the Southern part of India with Sphatik Lingam. Kadavul Temple in the USA also has a Sphatik Shivlingam which fascinates a lot of tourists.
Sphatik Shivling Benefits
Shivling carved on Sphatik not only looks magnificent but also gives the dual benefits of Sphatik and the Shivalingam. Sphatik is also called Crystal/Quartz stone and possesses calming energies that create a peaceful atmosphere. The benefits of worshipping Sphatik Shivling are given below:
- It removes the negative thoughts from the mind
- It gives protection from the evil eye and negative forces
- It makes the worshipper financially stronger
- It invites luxury and prosperity to the dwelling
- It enables growth on the path of spirituality
- It gives the ability to increase income flow and build property
- It helps gain respect and elevates the social status of the sadhaks/worshippers
- It brings good luck and lessens the miseries in life
- It helps overcome negative emotions and brings harmony
- It attracts joy, contentment and serenity
FAQs
Ques: Can we keep Sphatik Shivalingam at home?
Ans: Yes, Sphatik Shivalingam can be kept at home but it has to be worshipped regularly. The Lingam idol should be taken care of properly as it carries the combined powers of the eternal energy of ShivaShakti. It is important to install the Sphatik Shivalingam by following accurate rituals.
Ques: How to clean Sphatik Shivling?
Ans: It has to be cleaned with a dry cloth and then one can perform the Abhishek ritual which is the holy bath given to deity idols. The Abhishek can be done with milk and water as well while chanting the Panchakshari Mantra.
Ques: How can you tell if the Sphatik Shivling is real?
Ans: There are several ways to check if the Spatika Lingam is real. The first method is to hold the Lingam idol in hand and see if it feels cool because the Sphatik stone has a slightly cooler temperature. The other way is to get it tested in a lab and know if it is the original Sphatik Shivling.
