Meaning of Lingashtakam
A short introduction
Lingashtakam is a hymn in praise of Sri Siva, also called Maheswara, Rudra, Pasupati etc. The Linga is a symbol for Siva, just like Sankha and Chakra are symbolic of Sri Vishnu. Linga also means the gender of a being. We have Stree Linga (Female gender), Pumlinga (Male Gender) and Napumsaka Linga (literally non-male Gender, but meaning neutral gender). Linga has also become over the ages, a symbol of manliness, the erect phallus, and it is appropriate since He is the Adi Purusha. While Para Brahma is considered to be Nirguna, i.e. without any discernible attributes, once He/She/It decides to manifest in Saguna form (for reasons beyond our intelligence), we have Purusha (male) and Prakriti (Nature, considered to be feminine). And we have the Trinity (the creating, preserving and destroying aspects) of Devas and Devis, Brahma, Vishnu and Siva in the male aspects and Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati in their female aspects, their consorts.
If we look at it from a Physicist's point of view, pure energy (not of a single color, but the total electromagnetic spectrum, i.e. pure white light, not just the visible part) comes close to Nirguna Para Brahma, where as Matter is the Saguna form. When the white light splits into various colors, we have Gunas. We have positively charged particles (can be thought of as male), negatively charged particles (think of as female) and neutral particles which represent the Purusha-Prakriti pair (the Ardhanareeswara Tatvam).
Anyway, Lingashtakam is very nice to recite and a gist of its meaning is attempted below. I confess that a word by word translation is beyond my capability. I hope you enjoy.
1) Brahma Murari Surarchita Lingam - The Lingam (Siva), who is worshipped by Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu (Murari means enemy of Mura, a rakshasa, and refers to Vishnu) and other Gods
Nirmala bhasitha sobhita Lingam - The Lingam, which is spotlessly pure, resplendent and beautiful (Vishnu is considered dark colored, while Siva is considered to be white colored, like camphor and obviously They all are pure and spotless in Their brightness)
Janmaja Dukha Vinasaka Lingam - The Lingam, which destroys our sorrow born of being born (i.e. getting trapped in the birth and death cycle). That is He, gives us Moksha, liberation from the birth - and - death cycle, by making us aware of our true nature, which is not different from Siva. Our soul is as eternal as Siva and so there is no question of birth and death to the soul. What is seen as birth and death is nothing but a transition from one plane to another. It is the avidya which causes a sense of separation and a sense of difference, like a water drop thinking it is different from all other water drops and the ocean. The desire for self-preservation, or rather the ego preservation leads to attachment to the physical body and its several extensions through its mind and when the attachments are seen as being broken like at death, fear, anger and grief result. Once our true nature is remembered, that is we rejoin our Siva Tatva and realise that we are as divine as Siva and are playing an important part in His Cosmic Drama, we lose the fear of death. The Linga helps us remember Siva and thus our own true nature. Sai Ram. Om Namah Sivaya.
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam - I bow (pranam is bowing and pranamami means I bow) to That Linga(m) (as described above) who is none other than Sada Siva, the Eternal Siva. Siva means One who does good and makes us happy. Bowing is an external form of ego submission to the Whole. Internally also, the ego is surrendering itself to its origin and realises that the sense of separation which gave it its identity is also the barrier which is keeping it from its union with the whole. Surrender facilitates the ego annihilation and makes the ego remember, i.e. re-member, become a part of the whole and realise its oneness with the whole. Sada is eternal. Siva is supposed to be Layakaraka, destroyer, so the question comes how can He, who destroys do good? The answer lies in understanding what is that which is being destroyed. It is our ignorance, and arising from that ignorance - all the Materialistic desires, Vasanas (deep rooted desires which come with us from birth to birth), and the sorrow of being trapped in the birth-death-birth cycle, the cycle of Karma, that is being destroyed by Him. So destruction is good. And our true Self, which is not different from Siva (Chidananda Roopa Sivoham Sivoham, says Sri Adi Sankara in Nirvana Shatkam), comes forth once the dirt (mala) of ignorance (Avidya) is removed by Him. He can do it because He is Nirmala (without dirt and dirt cannot stick to Him). Since He can burn off all the dross in us, He makes us pure like Him. Om Namah Sivaya.
2) Deva Muni Pravara Archita Lingam - I bow to that Linga(m) (Siva), who is worshipped by the best (pravara) of gods and Munis (saints who observe silence). Mauna is silence, a sadhu who observes silence is a Muni. Mere closing of the mouth (not speaking physically is not silence, silence of the mind, i.e. freedom from thoughts is real silence. Only in such a still mind does the light of the Absolute, Siva glow brightly).
Kama dahana karunakara Lingam - I bow to that Lingam (Siva), who has burnt off the God of desire, Manmadha, Kama, by the fire from His Third Eye. And I bow to that Siva Linga, Who took pity on Rati, Kama Deva's wife and restored him to life. It may appear a little ironic that Siva, whose Linga, which resembles an erect phallus (as per some anthropologists and sociologists) and is a symbol of male sex, should burn off desire, deified as Kama Deva. But He is also described as Urdhvareta (one who is a perfect celibate and who has lifted up, sublimed His sexual desire and the semen into great spiritual energy through yoga and through stilling His mind (that is why He is worshipped by the best of Munis, since He is the best among them). So, when desire tries to disturb His equanimity, His still mind, He burns off the desire by Jnana, which is represented by the fire from His Third Eye. Desire arises from Avidya, and is destroyed by true Vidya. Having burnt off the desire, He listens to the pleas of Rati Devi, the consort of Manmatha (literally meaning churner of the mind!), also called Kama Deva (God of desire) and takes pity on her. Thus He is karunakara, the one who shows kindness. He restores Kama to life, so that physical procreation can continue for the welfare of the world. Kumara Sambhavam (The birth of Kumara, Shanmukha) is the result of Siva marrying Parvati (Daakshayani, the daughter of Daksha, who was the consort of Siva, immolates Herself and later takes birth as Parvati, the daughter of Himavantha, the Snow Mountain. She does great penance and wins Siva's hand in marriage. Kumara is born, who becomes the commander-in-chief of the Deva's army and kills Tarakasura, the Demon of the Stars). The story of Kama being burnt down and being reborn is a part of that story.
Ravana Darpa Vinasana Lingam - I bow to that Siva, Who has destroyed the pride and arrogance of Ravana, one of His greatest devotees. Ravana was no doubt a great devotee of Sri Siva, but He was also a great egoist and his devotion was not the Satvik type. Once he tried to uproot Kailasa Mountain along with Siva and Parvati etc. Parvati gets frightened and asks Siva to do something. He smiles and just presses down with His great toe of His foot and the mighty Ravana is trapped and pinned down under the mountain. He then realises his mistake and prays to his deity Sri Siva, who releases him and blesses him.
Tatpranamami Sada Siva Lingam - I bow (in true humility) to that Eternal Blissful Symbol of Sada Siva.
3) Sarva Sugandha Sulepitha Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Which is well anointed by all pleasantly smelling perfumes. Again one may wonder, why should a stone, which cannot feel anything, be worshipped and decorated with flowers, anointed by Sandal and other pleasant and expensive perfumes. The answer is in perception. The Lingam is a symbol of Sri Siva, so we worship Him through our worship to His Lingam. Another perception. It is well known that pleasant perfumes, flowers etc. are linked to the bed room and sexual pleasures. A normal man gets excited by such perfumes and takes up satisfaction of his sexual excitement with a woman. Whereas in the midst of all such temptations too, one should remain steadfast like a stone. Sri Siva in His Linga form is teaching us this valuable lesson.
Buddhi vivardhana karana lingam - I bow to that Lingam, Which is responsible for the unfoldment (expansion / growth) of my intellect. So what appears to be a sex symbol in a primitive culture is actually a thought-provoking and intellect expanding Grace of Siva! (If desire gets upper hand, intellect takes a back seat. Desire if fulfilled leads to temporary torpor and languor, but later leads to more desire, insatiable. And desire unfulfilled leads to anger, krodha, which in turn leads to Sammoha, which leads to loss of Smriti, what is remembered, loss of Smriti leads to destruction of intellect - Bhagavad Gita). By telling the Sadhaka that in the midst of all temptations too one should remain rock steady, the Linga is leading the Sadhaka in the right direction and is expanding his intellect, and thus helping in destruction of the desires, which are the roots of the punarapi jananam - punarapi maranam (born again - death again) cycle.
Siddha Sura Asura vandita Lingam - The Lingam which is worshipped by (bowed to by) Siddhas, gods and demons. Siddhas are a special group of gods with special powers, Suras are gods and Asuras are Rakshasas or demons. Sri Siva is worshipped by all, whether they are Satvik or Tamasik. Normally Asuras don't worship Vishnu. But Siva is supposed to be easily pleased by devotion and sanctions the devotee's desires. Of course, being a Sarvajna (All knowing) He knows what is in store for them after they get the powers, which they can't handle and destroy themselves! I feel He is a great teacher teaching them valuable lessons in their spiritual development!
Tat pranamami Sada Siva Lingam - same as above
4) Kanaka mahamani bhushita Lingam - I bow to the Linga, Who is decorated with gold and great jewels. Normally gold and jewels are signs of prosperity. So a devotee of Siva also will get a lot of prosperity if He decides. But He reminds them to remain unaffected by all the show and pomp. Whether we pour water over Him, or milk, whether we worship him with simple Bilva leaves or very pleasantly perfumed flowers, He is easily pleased. He is Bhaktha Sulabha (easily obtained by devotion).
Phani pathi veshtitha sobhitha lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is surrounded by the king of snakes (Phani means One who has phana, snake, pati is king). He looks all the more beautiful because of this. Snake is supposed to represent wisdom and intelligence. Snake also represents sexual desire. So He is surrounded by the King of Snakes. He, of course remains unaffected by any thing and everything.
Daksha Suyagna Vinasaka Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who destroyed the good yagna of Daksha. Daksha was a great Prajapati (Lord of men). He once decided to conduct a great yagna (ritualistic sacrifice). He invited everyone including Brahma and Vishnu, but not Sri Siva, who also happened to be his own son-in-law. Sati, Dakshayani , the daughter of Daksha was given in marriage to Siva. What made Daksha act like this, is difficult to understand. "Vinasa kale vipareeta buddhi" goes the saying. When destruction is looming ahead, the intellect goes astray. Something similar happened and Daksha invited his own ruin by insulting Sri Siva. Sati felt offended and immolated Herself in yoga agni. Siva got angry and created Veera Bhadra and ordered him to destroy the yagna. So an action which was started with good intentions ended up in flames and utter chaos. Daksha lost his head and later on being requested, Siva cooled down and allowed Daksha to be brought back to life by fixing a goat's head to Daksha's torso.
Tat pranamami Sada Siva Lingam - as above
5) Kumkuma chandana (lepita) sobhita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is shining (anointed by) with the lustre of Kumk um and Chandan. Kumkum is bright red in color and sandal is white or light brown in color. Siva in the form of Linga is shining because of the sandal paste and the kumkum that is applied by His devotees. Chandan is cooling and kumkum represents warmth of courage. So He represents both. To those who need courage, He gives courage and to those who need peace of mind, He gives that.
Pankajahara susobhita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is shining very well because of the garland of lotus flowers. Panka is mud, pankaja is lotus which is born from the bed of a lake. The specialty of lotus is that though it is born from mud or dirty water, it remains free from all impurities. That is why lotus has become a symbol of purity. He has a garland of lotus flowers. Thus, He again signifies that it is possible for us, His devotees to remain pure and unaffected in the midst of all materialistic temptations and distractions. The use of the word pankaja is thus very significant.
Sanchitapapa vinasaka Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who destroys all accumulated sins. Siva is destroyer. So, He destroys the accumulated sins of His devotees, who pray and surrender their egos to Him.
Tatpranamami Sada Siva Lingam - Same as above.
6) Deva gana archita sevita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is worshipped and served by all the different Devas. There are different deva ganas, including Suras, Siddhas, Sadhyas, Yakshas etc. But all of them worship Him and serve Him since in that only, their salvation lies.
Bhavair bhaktibhi revacha Lingam - I bow to that Lingam, Who is Bhava and Bhakti. Since Siva is in all of us, when we bow to Him in the Linga, He is worshipping Himself! In Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram also, a similar thread occurs. Yagno, Yagnapatir, Yajwa, Yagnango, Yagnavahanah…He is Yagna, Yagnapati (i.e. the God for whom the Yagna is conducted, He is the Yajamani, He is the offering, He is the carrier of the offering…). Chidanandra roopa sivoham… says Sri Adi Shankara in Nirvana Shatkam. True Advaita!!! So, when I bow to Sri Siva in Linga form, I am worshipping myself, since my true nature is Sat, Chit and Ananda.
Dinakara koti Prabhakara Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is as bright as a Billion Suns. Dinakara is Sun. He is also called Prabhakara, since He lights us everything with His rays. Koti is one hundred lakhs, ten million. But koti also means a big group. Sri Siva destroys the darkness of Ajnana, Ignorance and all the associated problems, which tie the Jeeva to the birth-death cycle. It is a like a long, dark night. When His grace falls on us, it is day. In daylight, we see the real nature of things. Like in the darkness a rope is mistook for a serpent and causes fear. In daylight (or for that matter any light strong enough, i.e. God's and Guru's grace), the illusion is dispelled and the true nature of the object, that it is a harmless rope is realised. Similarly due to Siva's grace, the Jeevatma realises that it is not body, not mind, nor intellect etc., and realises that it is Siva himself!!!
Tatpranamami Sada Siva Lingam - as above.
7) Ashtadalopariveshtita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is well surrounded by eight petals. Sri Siva is also called as Ashtamoorthy. The Siva Yantra has eight petals!
Sarva Samudbhava karana Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is the cause of all creation. Here Sri Siva is being described as Creator. That is He is the Creator of the Creator Brahma! So He is Narayana, Vishnu also! He is Para Brahma, Parameshwara!!!
Ashta daridra vinasaka Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is the destroyer of Eight types of Poverty. Sri Hanuman, Who is considered to be the Amsa or Avatar of Sri Siva is described as "Ashta Siddhi Nava Nidhi ke data!" by Sri Tulasidas in His celebrated Hanuman Chalisa. When God is pleased with our devotion, He or She can give us all Siddhis, Nidhis etc. Sri Krishna gave His childhood friend Sudama (also called Kuchela) a big city of golden buildings and palaces because He was pleased with the handful of pounded rice brought by His friend and devotee! Patram, Pushpam, Phalam, Toyam (a leaf, a flower, a fruit, water), whatever is offered with devotion I accept from my devotee with pleasure, tells Sri Krishna in Gita.
Tat pranamami Sada Siva Lingam - as above
8) Sura guru sura vara poojita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is worshipped by the Preceptor (Guru) of Suras, devatas. Sri Brihaspati is the guru of devas. It is interesting to note that Sri Sukracharya, the Guru of Asuras, Daityas, Rakshasas also is a great devotee of Sri Siva. Pl. see Hymn No.3 above, where He is described as being worshipped by Siddhas, Suras and Asuras. Brihaspati represents Knowledge (intellect, Buddhi). And Buddhi has to worship the Soul within. By that Buddhi expands (please see Buddhi vivardhana karana Lingam). Suravara means the best of Suras, Devas. Indra is the chief of Devas. And He too worships Sri Siva. Indra is the chief of Indriyas, the sense organs. There are 5 karmendriyas (organs with which we work) and 5 jnanendriyas (sensory organs). All must be devoted to Siva to get full benefit.
Sura vana pushpa sadarchita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is worshipped by the flowers of the Garden of Devas. Parijata is the Tree whose flower bestows on the wisher all the desires. But Parijata feels blessed and fulfilled when offered to Sri Siva. The flower, which can fulfill our desires, has only one desire and that is to be at the feet of Sri Siva! Sadarchita, means truly worshipped. True worship is offering oneself in toto!
Paramapadam paramatmaka Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is the Eternal Abode, End of the Journey (padam is foot, parama padam is the ultimate foot, and that is the end of the journey by us!), paramatmaka is belonging to Paramatma, the Supeme Soul, of which We, the Jeevatmas are also frgments. So when the fraction merges into the whole, true Yoga, union takes place. Linga as the Symbol of Sexual union represents man's urge for that ultimate union with Himself!
Tat pranamami Sada Siva Lingam - as above
Phala Shruti: Listen to the reward (of reciting)!
Lingashtakamidam punyam yah patheth Siva sannidhau - This Lingashtakam (collection of eight hymns about Linga) is very holy and reciting it in the Sannidhi (in the front of, in the vicinity of) Sri Siva gives punyam, a lot of merit. Even mentally imagining oneself to be near Siva while chanting the Ashtakam gives a lot of benefit.
Sivaloka mavapnoti sivena saha modate - He (who recites the above) attains Siva Loka (Kailasa) and enjoys the company of Sri Siva! Om Nama Sivaya.
Gopi Krishna's comment on the meaning of Lingashtakam: As I'm reading the interpretation, HE gives a sudden thought that linga is NOT the mere symbol of manliness because HE is the Adi purusha, though a few commentators interpreted it so earlier also. The real explanation, which totally different from the above, as given in the Guru-gita, is the sivalinga indicates "brahmand or cosmos" The Linga is in the centre, because it (HE) is the primemover of the cosmos. The Brahmand is all around HIM . That means HE is the prime mover as well as the brahmand, the creation, HE is both within & without. HE is Purusha as well as Prakriti. So this gross explanation of reducing the prime principle, the cosmic consciousnmess, into male & female may not sound proper, I feel. That is why siva is ardha naareeshwara..HE/SHE /IT is everything. Though in some texts, it has been interpreted that HE is the only Purusha, being the Creator or Author of the shristi, and the shristi is Prakriti or HE is Aadipurusha and the prakriti is Adi-Shakti. Being the part of the shristi, all of us are considered as females as well. But, I do not know how far it is right to look at Siva-linga that way. My feeling is that by categorising the Creator as a male or a female, we are only re-inforcing the body-consciousness which we are trying to overcome through various means of saadhana. We must move out of this shackle of body consciousness. So to think of God as male or female is imposing severe limitations on our own growth. Isnt it? Are we not victims of such limitations? As Om has no gender, the Creator is also neither male nor female. God is infinite and any interpretation, which may lead to create body-consciousness, may better be avoided. You do not believe it, in one of the quiz programmes, it was asked that who is that deity, who looks like the male organ? I was really shocked. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Love and respects. Gopi Krishna.
Swamy's Response: Hari Om. Om Nama Sivaya. Om Sri Guru Para Brahmanenamah. If you think of Sri Siva as the Para Brahma Swarupa, you are of course right. Same thing holds for each of the Trinity. Actually our consciousness keeps shifting over several planes. In the meaning which I drew I was seeing Him in the Purusha form. Siva and Parvati are the Adi Dampatulu. And the role of Dampatulu is to procreate! He is Pasupati, we are all Pasus (animals!). Pasu is one which is bound by Pasa of desire. As Saguna Para Brahma Sri Siva (as Vishnu) is the supporter of this Universe. Brahmand literally means Great Egg. Why Brahmand, The whole Viswam (universe) is supported by Him. Linga is the Central Pillar supporting the Universe. And since all of us are Pasus, bound to him by our Karma, Kama and Bhakti, He is the Central Pillar, around which we keep orbiting. Bilva Mangala saw Sri Siva in the breast of his amour! And someone sees an erect male organ in Linga! It is a question of perception! Ekam Sat Vipram Bahudha Vadanti! The truth is One, but perceived differently by Learned people. And the absolute Truth is unknowable by any or all of our sense organs including intellect! Why should one feel bad or embarrassed to link God and Kama! Kama, Desire is also His creation! Tantra is one path for liberation! He gives us a chance, through our intellect, to discriminate what is right and what is wrong and channelise the desires not for selfish pleasure but for universal welfare. That in essence is what Lingashtakam means to me. Sorry if I have offended your sensitivity in any way. By the way, your name Gopi Krishna also signifies different things to different people. It signifies a cowherd who violated all social norms and entered into immoral relationships and committed adultery! It also signifies the Purushottama to whom everyone belongs and the Gopis realised the ultimate truth. Their relation was that of Jeevatma to Paramatma.
Swamy
"S.V.SWAMY" wrote: Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 16:23:28 +0500 To: "Sri MSR"
From: "S.V.SWAMY" Subject: Lingashtakam CC: "Gopi Krishna"
Dear Siva Bandhu Sri Ravi,
Many thanks for posting the twelve names of Siva. And thanks for the invitation for posting the meaning of Lingashtakam. In the same digest of Amba-L, there was a nice translation (not word by word, but a good gist) of Lingashtakam. However, I consider your request as Siva's command and am sending you the same. I am also enclosing my friend Sri Gopi Krishna's reaction to that and my response to his reaction. You may post whatever you feel is appropriate. I am aware that the mail is very long. Om Namah Sivaya. Swamy SV
P.S: A note to Gopi Krishna: Dear brother, in my earlier submission, I wrote that I am not sure of the meaning of 'Ashta dalopariveshtitha Lingam', though I guessed that He is stationed on a eight-petalled lotus. Later, I got into my hand a Siva Yantra, like a Sri Yantra, again thanks to our friend Shri KV Ragahva Rao. The lotus is eight-petalled! Jacek Pollner sent a very long and complicated email telling me the esoteric meaning of 8 petalled lotus. Will share with you some other time. Om Namah Sivaya. I read it today again to see whether it needs any changes, but don't see any need. so I submit it to you. Yours
Swamy
This post was updated on 28th September, 2006. Sai Ram.
Post is again edited on 15th October, 2008.
A short introduction
Lingashtakam is a hymn in praise of Sri Siva, also called Maheswara, Rudra, Pasupati etc. The Linga is a symbol for Siva, just like Sankha and Chakra are symbolic of Sri Vishnu. Linga also means the gender of a being. We have Stree Linga (Female gender), Pumlinga (Male Gender) and Napumsaka Linga (literally non-male Gender, but meaning neutral gender). Linga has also become over the ages, a symbol of manliness, the erect phallus, and it is appropriate since He is the Adi Purusha. While Para Brahma is considered to be Nirguna, i.e. without any discernible attributes, once He/She/It decides to manifest in Saguna form (for reasons beyond our intelligence), we have Purusha (male) and Prakriti (Nature, considered to be feminine). And we have the Trinity (the creating, preserving and destroying aspects) of Devas and Devis, Brahma, Vishnu and Siva in the male aspects and Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati in their female aspects, their consorts.
If we look at it from a Physicist's point of view, pure energy (not of a single color, but the total electromagnetic spectrum, i.e. pure white light, not just the visible part) comes close to Nirguna Para Brahma, where as Matter is the Saguna form. When the white light splits into various colors, we have Gunas. We have positively charged particles (can be thought of as male), negatively charged particles (think of as female) and neutral particles which represent the Purusha-Prakriti pair (the Ardhanareeswara Tatvam).
Anyway, Lingashtakam is very nice to recite and a gist of its meaning is attempted below. I confess that a word by word translation is beyond my capability. I hope you enjoy.
1) Brahma Murari Surarchita Lingam - The Lingam (Siva), who is worshipped by Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu (Murari means enemy of Mura, a rakshasa, and refers to Vishnu) and other Gods
Nirmala bhasitha sobhita Lingam - The Lingam, which is spotlessly pure, resplendent and beautiful (Vishnu is considered dark colored, while Siva is considered to be white colored, like camphor and obviously They all are pure and spotless in Their brightness)
Janmaja Dukha Vinasaka Lingam - The Lingam, which destroys our sorrow born of being born (i.e. getting trapped in the birth and death cycle). That is He, gives us Moksha, liberation from the birth - and - death cycle, by making us aware of our true nature, which is not different from Siva. Our soul is as eternal as Siva and so there is no question of birth and death to the soul. What is seen as birth and death is nothing but a transition from one plane to another. It is the avidya which causes a sense of separation and a sense of difference, like a water drop thinking it is different from all other water drops and the ocean. The desire for self-preservation, or rather the ego preservation leads to attachment to the physical body and its several extensions through its mind and when the attachments are seen as being broken like at death, fear, anger and grief result. Once our true nature is remembered, that is we rejoin our Siva Tatva and realise that we are as divine as Siva and are playing an important part in His Cosmic Drama, we lose the fear of death. The Linga helps us remember Siva and thus our own true nature. Sai Ram. Om Namah Sivaya.
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam - I bow (pranam is bowing and pranamami means I bow) to That Linga(m) (as described above) who is none other than Sada Siva, the Eternal Siva. Siva means One who does good and makes us happy. Bowing is an external form of ego submission to the Whole. Internally also, the ego is surrendering itself to its origin and realises that the sense of separation which gave it its identity is also the barrier which is keeping it from its union with the whole. Surrender facilitates the ego annihilation and makes the ego remember, i.e. re-member, become a part of the whole and realise its oneness with the whole. Sada is eternal. Siva is supposed to be Layakaraka, destroyer, so the question comes how can He, who destroys do good? The answer lies in understanding what is that which is being destroyed. It is our ignorance, and arising from that ignorance - all the Materialistic desires, Vasanas (deep rooted desires which come with us from birth to birth), and the sorrow of being trapped in the birth-death-birth cycle, the cycle of Karma, that is being destroyed by Him. So destruction is good. And our true Self, which is not different from Siva (Chidananda Roopa Sivoham Sivoham, says Sri Adi Sankara in Nirvana Shatkam), comes forth once the dirt (mala) of ignorance (Avidya) is removed by Him. He can do it because He is Nirmala (without dirt and dirt cannot stick to Him). Since He can burn off all the dross in us, He makes us pure like Him. Om Namah Sivaya.
2) Deva Muni Pravara Archita Lingam - I bow to that Linga(m) (Siva), who is worshipped by the best (pravara) of gods and Munis (saints who observe silence). Mauna is silence, a sadhu who observes silence is a Muni. Mere closing of the mouth (not speaking physically is not silence, silence of the mind, i.e. freedom from thoughts is real silence. Only in such a still mind does the light of the Absolute, Siva glow brightly).
Kama dahana karunakara Lingam - I bow to that Lingam (Siva), who has burnt off the God of desire, Manmadha, Kama, by the fire from His Third Eye. And I bow to that Siva Linga, Who took pity on Rati, Kama Deva's wife and restored him to life. It may appear a little ironic that Siva, whose Linga, which resembles an erect phallus (as per some anthropologists and sociologists) and is a symbol of male sex, should burn off desire, deified as Kama Deva. But He is also described as Urdhvareta (one who is a perfect celibate and who has lifted up, sublimed His sexual desire and the semen into great spiritual energy through yoga and through stilling His mind (that is why He is worshipped by the best of Munis, since He is the best among them). So, when desire tries to disturb His equanimity, His still mind, He burns off the desire by Jnana, which is represented by the fire from His Third Eye. Desire arises from Avidya, and is destroyed by true Vidya. Having burnt off the desire, He listens to the pleas of Rati Devi, the consort of Manmatha (literally meaning churner of the mind!), also called Kama Deva (God of desire) and takes pity on her. Thus He is karunakara, the one who shows kindness. He restores Kama to life, so that physical procreation can continue for the welfare of the world. Kumara Sambhavam (The birth of Kumara, Shanmukha) is the result of Siva marrying Parvati (Daakshayani, the daughter of Daksha, who was the consort of Siva, immolates Herself and later takes birth as Parvati, the daughter of Himavantha, the Snow Mountain. She does great penance and wins Siva's hand in marriage. Kumara is born, who becomes the commander-in-chief of the Deva's army and kills Tarakasura, the Demon of the Stars). The story of Kama being burnt down and being reborn is a part of that story.
Ravana Darpa Vinasana Lingam - I bow to that Siva, Who has destroyed the pride and arrogance of Ravana, one of His greatest devotees. Ravana was no doubt a great devotee of Sri Siva, but He was also a great egoist and his devotion was not the Satvik type. Once he tried to uproot Kailasa Mountain along with Siva and Parvati etc. Parvati gets frightened and asks Siva to do something. He smiles and just presses down with His great toe of His foot and the mighty Ravana is trapped and pinned down under the mountain. He then realises his mistake and prays to his deity Sri Siva, who releases him and blesses him.
Tatpranamami Sada Siva Lingam - I bow (in true humility) to that Eternal Blissful Symbol of Sada Siva.
3) Sarva Sugandha Sulepitha Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Which is well anointed by all pleasantly smelling perfumes. Again one may wonder, why should a stone, which cannot feel anything, be worshipped and decorated with flowers, anointed by Sandal and other pleasant and expensive perfumes. The answer is in perception. The Lingam is a symbol of Sri Siva, so we worship Him through our worship to His Lingam. Another perception. It is well known that pleasant perfumes, flowers etc. are linked to the bed room and sexual pleasures. A normal man gets excited by such perfumes and takes up satisfaction of his sexual excitement with a woman. Whereas in the midst of all such temptations too, one should remain steadfast like a stone. Sri Siva in His Linga form is teaching us this valuable lesson.
Buddhi vivardhana karana lingam - I bow to that Lingam, Which is responsible for the unfoldment (expansion / growth) of my intellect. So what appears to be a sex symbol in a primitive culture is actually a thought-provoking and intellect expanding Grace of Siva! (If desire gets upper hand, intellect takes a back seat. Desire if fulfilled leads to temporary torpor and languor, but later leads to more desire, insatiable. And desire unfulfilled leads to anger, krodha, which in turn leads to Sammoha, which leads to loss of Smriti, what is remembered, loss of Smriti leads to destruction of intellect - Bhagavad Gita). By telling the Sadhaka that in the midst of all temptations too one should remain rock steady, the Linga is leading the Sadhaka in the right direction and is expanding his intellect, and thus helping in destruction of the desires, which are the roots of the punarapi jananam - punarapi maranam (born again - death again) cycle.
Siddha Sura Asura vandita Lingam - The Lingam which is worshipped by (bowed to by) Siddhas, gods and demons. Siddhas are a special group of gods with special powers, Suras are gods and Asuras are Rakshasas or demons. Sri Siva is worshipped by all, whether they are Satvik or Tamasik. Normally Asuras don't worship Vishnu. But Siva is supposed to be easily pleased by devotion and sanctions the devotee's desires. Of course, being a Sarvajna (All knowing) He knows what is in store for them after they get the powers, which they can't handle and destroy themselves! I feel He is a great teacher teaching them valuable lessons in their spiritual development!
Tat pranamami Sada Siva Lingam - same as above
4) Kanaka mahamani bhushita Lingam - I bow to the Linga, Who is decorated with gold and great jewels. Normally gold and jewels are signs of prosperity. So a devotee of Siva also will get a lot of prosperity if He decides. But He reminds them to remain unaffected by all the show and pomp. Whether we pour water over Him, or milk, whether we worship him with simple Bilva leaves or very pleasantly perfumed flowers, He is easily pleased. He is Bhaktha Sulabha (easily obtained by devotion).
Phani pathi veshtitha sobhitha lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is surrounded by the king of snakes (Phani means One who has phana, snake, pati is king). He looks all the more beautiful because of this. Snake is supposed to represent wisdom and intelligence. Snake also represents sexual desire. So He is surrounded by the King of Snakes. He, of course remains unaffected by any thing and everything.
Daksha Suyagna Vinasaka Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who destroyed the good yagna of Daksha. Daksha was a great Prajapati (Lord of men). He once decided to conduct a great yagna (ritualistic sacrifice). He invited everyone including Brahma and Vishnu, but not Sri Siva, who also happened to be his own son-in-law. Sati, Dakshayani , the daughter of Daksha was given in marriage to Siva. What made Daksha act like this, is difficult to understand. "Vinasa kale vipareeta buddhi" goes the saying. When destruction is looming ahead, the intellect goes astray. Something similar happened and Daksha invited his own ruin by insulting Sri Siva. Sati felt offended and immolated Herself in yoga agni. Siva got angry and created Veera Bhadra and ordered him to destroy the yagna. So an action which was started with good intentions ended up in flames and utter chaos. Daksha lost his head and later on being requested, Siva cooled down and allowed Daksha to be brought back to life by fixing a goat's head to Daksha's torso.
Tat pranamami Sada Siva Lingam - as above
5) Kumkuma chandana (lepita) sobhita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is shining (anointed by) with the lustre of Kumk um and Chandan. Kumkum is bright red in color and sandal is white or light brown in color. Siva in the form of Linga is shining because of the sandal paste and the kumkum that is applied by His devotees. Chandan is cooling and kumkum represents warmth of courage. So He represents both. To those who need courage, He gives courage and to those who need peace of mind, He gives that.
Pankajahara susobhita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is shining very well because of the garland of lotus flowers. Panka is mud, pankaja is lotus which is born from the bed of a lake. The specialty of lotus is that though it is born from mud or dirty water, it remains free from all impurities. That is why lotus has become a symbol of purity. He has a garland of lotus flowers. Thus, He again signifies that it is possible for us, His devotees to remain pure and unaffected in the midst of all materialistic temptations and distractions. The use of the word pankaja is thus very significant.
Sanchitapapa vinasaka Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who destroys all accumulated sins. Siva is destroyer. So, He destroys the accumulated sins of His devotees, who pray and surrender their egos to Him.
Tatpranamami Sada Siva Lingam - Same as above.
6) Deva gana archita sevita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is worshipped and served by all the different Devas. There are different deva ganas, including Suras, Siddhas, Sadhyas, Yakshas etc. But all of them worship Him and serve Him since in that only, their salvation lies.
Bhavair bhaktibhi revacha Lingam - I bow to that Lingam, Who is Bhava and Bhakti. Since Siva is in all of us, when we bow to Him in the Linga, He is worshipping Himself! In Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram also, a similar thread occurs. Yagno, Yagnapatir, Yajwa, Yagnango, Yagnavahanah…He is Yagna, Yagnapati (i.e. the God for whom the Yagna is conducted, He is the Yajamani, He is the offering, He is the carrier of the offering…). Chidanandra roopa sivoham… says Sri Adi Shankara in Nirvana Shatkam. True Advaita!!! So, when I bow to Sri Siva in Linga form, I am worshipping myself, since my true nature is Sat, Chit and Ananda.
Dinakara koti Prabhakara Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is as bright as a Billion Suns. Dinakara is Sun. He is also called Prabhakara, since He lights us everything with His rays. Koti is one hundred lakhs, ten million. But koti also means a big group. Sri Siva destroys the darkness of Ajnana, Ignorance and all the associated problems, which tie the Jeeva to the birth-death cycle. It is a like a long, dark night. When His grace falls on us, it is day. In daylight, we see the real nature of things. Like in the darkness a rope is mistook for a serpent and causes fear. In daylight (or for that matter any light strong enough, i.e. God's and Guru's grace), the illusion is dispelled and the true nature of the object, that it is a harmless rope is realised. Similarly due to Siva's grace, the Jeevatma realises that it is not body, not mind, nor intellect etc., and realises that it is Siva himself!!!
Tatpranamami Sada Siva Lingam - as above.
7) Ashtadalopariveshtita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is well surrounded by eight petals. Sri Siva is also called as Ashtamoorthy. The Siva Yantra has eight petals!
Sarva Samudbhava karana Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is the cause of all creation. Here Sri Siva is being described as Creator. That is He is the Creator of the Creator Brahma! So He is Narayana, Vishnu also! He is Para Brahma, Parameshwara!!!
Ashta daridra vinasaka Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is the destroyer of Eight types of Poverty. Sri Hanuman, Who is considered to be the Amsa or Avatar of Sri Siva is described as "Ashta Siddhi Nava Nidhi ke data!" by Sri Tulasidas in His celebrated Hanuman Chalisa. When God is pleased with our devotion, He or She can give us all Siddhis, Nidhis etc. Sri Krishna gave His childhood friend Sudama (also called Kuchela) a big city of golden buildings and palaces because He was pleased with the handful of pounded rice brought by His friend and devotee! Patram, Pushpam, Phalam, Toyam (a leaf, a flower, a fruit, water), whatever is offered with devotion I accept from my devotee with pleasure, tells Sri Krishna in Gita.
Tat pranamami Sada Siva Lingam - as above
8) Sura guru sura vara poojita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is worshipped by the Preceptor (Guru) of Suras, devatas. Sri Brihaspati is the guru of devas. It is interesting to note that Sri Sukracharya, the Guru of Asuras, Daityas, Rakshasas also is a great devotee of Sri Siva. Pl. see Hymn No.3 above, where He is described as being worshipped by Siddhas, Suras and Asuras. Brihaspati represents Knowledge (intellect, Buddhi). And Buddhi has to worship the Soul within. By that Buddhi expands (please see Buddhi vivardhana karana Lingam). Suravara means the best of Suras, Devas. Indra is the chief of Devas. And He too worships Sri Siva. Indra is the chief of Indriyas, the sense organs. There are 5 karmendriyas (organs with which we work) and 5 jnanendriyas (sensory organs). All must be devoted to Siva to get full benefit.
Sura vana pushpa sadarchita Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is worshipped by the flowers of the Garden of Devas. Parijata is the Tree whose flower bestows on the wisher all the desires. But Parijata feels blessed and fulfilled when offered to Sri Siva. The flower, which can fulfill our desires, has only one desire and that is to be at the feet of Sri Siva! Sadarchita, means truly worshipped. True worship is offering oneself in toto!
Paramapadam paramatmaka Lingam - I bow to that Linga, Who is the Eternal Abode, End of the Journey (padam is foot, parama padam is the ultimate foot, and that is the end of the journey by us!), paramatmaka is belonging to Paramatma, the Supeme Soul, of which We, the Jeevatmas are also frgments. So when the fraction merges into the whole, true Yoga, union takes place. Linga as the Symbol of Sexual union represents man's urge for that ultimate union with Himself!
Tat pranamami Sada Siva Lingam - as above
Phala Shruti: Listen to the reward (of reciting)!
Lingashtakamidam punyam yah patheth Siva sannidhau - This Lingashtakam (collection of eight hymns about Linga) is very holy and reciting it in the Sannidhi (in the front of, in the vicinity of) Sri Siva gives punyam, a lot of merit. Even mentally imagining oneself to be near Siva while chanting the Ashtakam gives a lot of benefit.
Sivaloka mavapnoti sivena saha modate - He (who recites the above) attains Siva Loka (Kailasa) and enjoys the company of Sri Siva! Om Nama Sivaya.
Gopi Krishna's comment on the meaning of Lingashtakam: As I'm reading the interpretation, HE gives a sudden thought that linga is NOT the mere symbol of manliness because HE is the Adi purusha, though a few commentators interpreted it so earlier also. The real explanation, which totally different from the above, as given in the Guru-gita, is the sivalinga indicates "brahmand or cosmos" The Linga is in the centre, because it (HE) is the primemover of the cosmos. The Brahmand is all around HIM . That means HE is the prime mover as well as the brahmand, the creation, HE is both within & without. HE is Purusha as well as Prakriti. So this gross explanation of reducing the prime principle, the cosmic consciousnmess, into male & female may not sound proper, I feel. That is why siva is ardha naareeshwara..HE/SHE /IT is everything. Though in some texts, it has been interpreted that HE is the only Purusha, being the Creator or Author of the shristi, and the shristi is Prakriti or HE is Aadipurusha and the prakriti is Adi-Shakti. Being the part of the shristi, all of us are considered as females as well. But, I do not know how far it is right to look at Siva-linga that way. My feeling is that by categorising the Creator as a male or a female, we are only re-inforcing the body-consciousness which we are trying to overcome through various means of saadhana. We must move out of this shackle of body consciousness. So to think of God as male or female is imposing severe limitations on our own growth. Isnt it? Are we not victims of such limitations? As Om has no gender, the Creator is also neither male nor female. God is infinite and any interpretation, which may lead to create body-consciousness, may better be avoided. You do not believe it, in one of the quiz programmes, it was asked that who is that deity, who looks like the male organ? I was really shocked. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Love and respects. Gopi Krishna.
Swamy's Response: Hari Om. Om Nama Sivaya. Om Sri Guru Para Brahmanenamah. If you think of Sri Siva as the Para Brahma Swarupa, you are of course right. Same thing holds for each of the Trinity. Actually our consciousness keeps shifting over several planes. In the meaning which I drew I was seeing Him in the Purusha form. Siva and Parvati are the Adi Dampatulu. And the role of Dampatulu is to procreate! He is Pasupati, we are all Pasus (animals!). Pasu is one which is bound by Pasa of desire. As Saguna Para Brahma Sri Siva (as Vishnu) is the supporter of this Universe. Brahmand literally means Great Egg. Why Brahmand, The whole Viswam (universe) is supported by Him. Linga is the Central Pillar supporting the Universe. And since all of us are Pasus, bound to him by our Karma, Kama and Bhakti, He is the Central Pillar, around which we keep orbiting. Bilva Mangala saw Sri Siva in the breast of his amour! And someone sees an erect male organ in Linga! It is a question of perception! Ekam Sat Vipram Bahudha Vadanti! The truth is One, but perceived differently by Learned people. And the absolute Truth is unknowable by any or all of our sense organs including intellect! Why should one feel bad or embarrassed to link God and Kama! Kama, Desire is also His creation! Tantra is one path for liberation! He gives us a chance, through our intellect, to discriminate what is right and what is wrong and channelise the desires not for selfish pleasure but for universal welfare. That in essence is what Lingashtakam means to me. Sorry if I have offended your sensitivity in any way. By the way, your name Gopi Krishna also signifies different things to different people. It signifies a cowherd who violated all social norms and entered into immoral relationships and committed adultery! It also signifies the Purushottama to whom everyone belongs and the Gopis realised the ultimate truth. Their relation was that of Jeevatma to Paramatma.
Swamy
"S.V.SWAMY" wrote: Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 16:23:28 +0500 To: "Sri MSR"
From: "S.V.SWAMY" Subject: Lingashtakam CC: "Gopi Krishna"
Dear Siva Bandhu Sri Ravi,
Many thanks for posting the twelve names of Siva. And thanks for the invitation for posting the meaning of Lingashtakam. In the same digest of Amba-L, there was a nice translation (not word by word, but a good gist) of Lingashtakam. However, I consider your request as Siva's command and am sending you the same. I am also enclosing my friend Sri Gopi Krishna's reaction to that and my response to his reaction. You may post whatever you feel is appropriate. I am aware that the mail is very long. Om Namah Sivaya. Swamy SV
P.S: A note to Gopi Krishna: Dear brother, in my earlier submission, I wrote that I am not sure of the meaning of 'Ashta dalopariveshtitha Lingam', though I guessed that He is stationed on a eight-petalled lotus. Later, I got into my hand a Siva Yantra, like a Sri Yantra, again thanks to our friend Shri KV Ragahva Rao. The lotus is eight-petalled! Jacek Pollner sent a very long and complicated email telling me the esoteric meaning of 8 petalled lotus. Will share with you some other time. Om Namah Sivaya. I read it today again to see whether it needs any changes, but don't see any need. so I submit it to you. Yours
Swamy
This post was updated on 28th September, 2006. Sai Ram.
Post is again edited on 15th October, 2008.
Labels: Linga, Lingashtakam, Siva
posted by S.V.Swamy | 10/16/2006 08:25:00 pm
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