SHIV LINGA – THE INVISIBLE COSMIC PILLAR

     After some research on the Kurma, the Mount Meru and the Swastika, I understood that there is a deep connection of modern astronomical facts and sacred Hindu symbols and animal forms of the god. I understood that good knowledge astronomical concepts and science can help us understand ancient Hindu or Indian sacred symbols and animal forms of the god mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures. Somehow, I felt as if ancient Indian astronomers visualized their astronomical observations in the form of sacred symbols and animal forms of the god so that common people can easily relate the difficult astronomical concepts with things they observe around them. When I read some of the ancient Indian scriptures I found that ancient Indian astronomers tried to tell their astronomical observation through stories. If we don’t understand the astronomical concepts and observations  made from Earth’s surface, we will not be able to understand the hidden meaning behind these ancient stories.

As I mentioned earlier, I saw the Nandi after entering the Shiva temple who is worshipped as it is believed that it carries the Shiva Linga on its back. The Shiva Linga is one of the most sacred form of Lord Shiva. In India, there are 12 Jyotirlinga temples which are considered as most sacred by all Indians. Shiva Lingas are not only found in India but they are found in many parts of world. Even Swastika symbols are found in many parts of the world. I started researching for the Shiva Linga description. I found that the story behind formation the Shiva Linga is mentioned in the Linga Purana.

As per the story, once Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu had fight about their superiority. There was a terrible fight between them. In the middle of Cosmic Ocean (Bhav Sagar) of dissolution they were engaged in fight, instigated by Rajas Guna. In the meantime a brilliant Linga (Cosmic Pillar) appeared in front of them in order to suppress their dispute and enlighten them.

It had thousands of clusters of flames. It was comparable to hundreds of all consuming fires. It was stable with no decline or increase. It had neither a beginning nor an end nor a middle. It was incomparable, inexplicable and indistinct. It was the source of the universe.

Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu decided measure length of the Linga (Cosmic Pillar). Lord Shiva took form the Swan and started going upwards to find it upper end. Lord Vishnu took form of a black boar and started going downwards to find its bottom. Unable to find the upper or lower end of Linga both returned to the origin starting point.

Linga Description Linga Purana Adhyaya 27

Then a loud sound ‘Om’ issued out of the Linga (Cosmic Pillar). Out of the Linga  (Cosmic Pillar) of the Lord the sower created the seed which he discharged into the womb where it it increased all around. It turned into a golden egg. This devine egg was  ensconced in the water of cosmic ocean for many years. Then at the end of the thousand years the egg that had evolved out of the unborn and stationed in the water of the Cosmic Ocean was split into two by lord himself. The splendid golden skull of the egg became heaven and the base became the earth.

Form this story it seems ancient scholars from India imagined the Linga as an endless Cosmic Pillar. At some places, it is also mentioned that when the Linga i.e. the endless cosmic pillar appeared out of nothing, it broke the upper most (Northmost) part of the Cosmic Egg (Brahmanda). The Dhruva i.e. the North Pole Star is that place or opening created in the Cosmic Egg i.e. Brahmanda at the Northmost position which was created by the Linga i.e. the endless cosmic pillar. Through this opening i.e. through the North Pole Star, the Cosmic Light from Satya Loka entered into our world. This Cosmic light from the Satya Loka is also compared with the Cosmic Ganga river. At some places it is mentioned that the Cosmic Ganga river came down to Earth from the Swarga i.e. the North Pole Star. This might be the reason behind showing the Ganga river emerging from the top of head of Lord Shiva. I found another explanation in Matsya Purana which explains the Cosmic Pillar which is stable and endless and which is the support of all stars and planets which which appear to rotate around the North Pole Star.

As per the explanation in Matsya Purana, all stars and planets including the sun and the moon are tied to the Dhruva i.e. the North Pole Star by invisible ropes in the form of the Vayu i.e. air. Like the sun and the moon rotate in circular motion around the Dhruva i.e. the North Pole

 Linga described as a Pole in Matsya Purana Adhyaya 127

Star keeping the Dhruva i.e. the North Pole at the center all other stars and planets also rotate around the Dhruva i.e. the North Pole in the sky in their respective paths. This similar to a boat flowing in water which flows with flow of water. Similarly, the homes of gods i.e. all stars and planets visible in the sky flow with force of the Cosmic Wind (Vayu) that's why they are called as Deva’s home (Gruha). Dhruva has as many number of rays as there the number of stars present in the sky. All these stars are attached to the rays of the Dhruva that’s why they all rotate as rays of the Dhruva are also rotating. This is very similar to the machine or Pivot which is used to extract oil whose ends are attached to the center of pivot by ropes. There stars which are flowing due to the force of the Cosmic wind appear like a Cosmic Chakra (This chakra is refred by many names as Sudarshan Chakra, Swastika, Shishumara Chakra, Jyotish Chakra etc.) This cosmic wind is called as the Pravah. This is how this Jyotish Chakra i.e. circles of stars rotate around the Dhruva i.e. the North Pole Star. This cosmic Jyotish Chakra is also called as Shishumar Chakra. This Jyotish Chakra is very sacred. Whatever sins we perform during day time get washed away if we observe this Cosmic Chakra daily.

If somebody is able to visualize the shape of Shishumar Chakra which include all stars in the sky, he will have very long life as this Shishumar Chakra was formed by Lord himself at the starting of the Kalpa and will stay as it is till the end of the Kalpa. (The Kalpa is the long duration of time which is used to measure life of the world in Indian culture). The Dhruva i.e. the North Pole star is considered at the upper jaw of the Shishumara (Dolphin) and Yagya (the holi fire) is considered as the lower jaw of the Shishumara (Dolphin). The Dharma is situated on the top of its head. Similarly, all other stars and planets are situated in different parts of the Shishumara i.e. the Cosmic Form of the Lord. Thes Cosmic pillar which supports the

Linga described as a Pole in Matsya Purana Adhyaya 127

rotation of all the stars and planets do not rise or set with these stars and planets (i.e. this Cosmic pillar has no beginning or end). All these stars and planets perform the Pradakshina i.e. they rotate around the North Pole Star from South as the North Pole star has the Northmost position. This chakra or rotational motion of stars and planets is always facing upwards towards the upper part of the endless Cosmic Pillar. While the Dhruva i.e. the North Pole star is facing downward towards the Mount Meru i.e. the North Pole. All these stars provide light to the Mount Meru.

From the above description in the Matsya Purana, it is clear that the Cosmic Pillar or the Linga is the axial line joining the North Pole and the North Pole Star. I visualized similarly when I was watching the planetarium show. During the show, it was explained how the North Pole Star has a fixed position in the sky and how all other stars appear to rotate around it in their respective paths. During the show, for some duration I felt as if the North Pole Star is directly on the top of my head and stars were rotating around me or the pole(pillar) connecting me and the North Pole Star. I understood that I can get same view if I am observing night sky while standing at the North Pole. It would be the same experience if I assume that I am stationary and stars are rotating around the Dhruva  or I am rotating around myself and stars are stationary and the North Pole Star is top of my head.

One important thing I noticed that the extended part of the Linga from where water flows out if poured on the middle spherical part of the Linga always points towards the North direction. So, it seems that to represent the pillar which points towards the North Pole Star from the Mount Meru, ancient Indian astronomers designed the structure of the Linga which has extended part which point towards the North direction. The central spherical part of the Linga

Linga as a Cosmic Pillar

is the representation of the spherical earth or hemispherical upper or northern half of the Earth above equator. This can also be considered as representation of the Mount Meru on the Jambudvipa. Earlier, we saw the Jambudvipa and the Kurma are the same thing representing the upper Northern hemispherical part of the Earth. As per the explanation given in the ancient Indian scriptures, Earth or the Kurma is present at the center part of the Brahmanda.

I got curious to understand the structure of the Brahmanda. So, I started researching on the concept of the Brahmanda.