Shiva Lingam

                                Shiva Lingam consists of three parts. The four-sided bottom part remains underground, the 8-sides middle part rests on a pedestal. The top part, which is actually worshipped, is round. The height of the round part is one-third of its circumference. The three parts symbolize Brahma at the bottom, Vishnu in the middle & Shiva on the top. The pedestal is provided with a passage for draining away the water. The Lingam symbolizes both the creative as well as the destructive power of Lord Shiva. In response to a German Orientalist, Gusta Oppert who traced it to phallicism, Swami Vivekananda cited Atharva Veda that the worship of Shiva Lingam was sung in praise of sacrificial post: a description of the endless Eternal Brahman.

                              Shaped of the Lingam represents the ‘Brahmanda’ or the cosmic egg. There are two types of Shiva Lingam. One is a black meteorite egg-shaped stone. The other one is man-made and is solidified mercury. Solidifying mercury is an ancient Vedic science. Shiva Lingam represents the totality of the Cosmos & the Cosmos, in turn, is represented as a Cosmic Egg with no beginning, nor end (Hiranyagarbha). The truth behind the scientific research by the Danish scientist, Neils Bohr, demonstrates that Molecules are made up of Atoms which consists of Proton, Neutron, and Electron, all of which play a vital part in the composition of Shiva Lingam.

                          Instead of words such as Proton, Neutron, Electron, Molecules, and Energy, the ancient Rishis employed the usage of words like Lingam, Vishnu, Brahma, Sakthi (which in turn is divided into Renuka and Rudrani), Sarppa, etc. According to Sanatana Dharma, the Pillar is described as the column of fire which represents the trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara while the Disc or Peedam represents Sakthi. The Disc is shown with three ridges, carved at its periphery. Ved Vyasa mentions that Lord Shiva is smaller than the sub-atomic particle like Proton, Neutron, and Electron. At the same time, he also mentions Lord Shiva is greater than anything greatest. He is the cause of vitality in all living things.

                           Everything, whether living or non-living, originates from Shiva. He has engulfed the whole world. He is Timeless. He has no birth, no death. He is invisible, un-manifest. He is the Soul of the Soul. He has no emotion, sentiment or passion at all. The outcome of scientific research is that the world came into existence with the formation of Molecules. According to Science, two atoms make one Molecule. The valence of molecules indicates the combination of the atoms. It is essential to have a clear idea of the structure of an atom according to the findings of the Danish scientist, Neils Bohr explained it as- An atom is made up of Proton, Neutron, and Electron. Neutrons do not have a charge and so would continue on in a straight line. The nucleus of an atom is composed of positively charged Protons and neutrally charged Neutrons. Almost all the mass of an atom is in its nucleus. The nucleus is the very dense region consisting of Protons and Neutrons at the center of an atom. Electrons are negatively charged and so would be deflected on a curving path towards the positive plate.

                            But the whole atom is electrically neutral on account of the presence of an equal number of negative electrons and positive protons. The electrons revolve rapidly around the nucleus in circular paths called energy level. The energy levels are counted from the centre outwards. Each energy level is associated with a fixed amount of energy. There is no change in the energy of Electrons as long as they help to revolve in the same energy level and the atoms remain stable. The Bohr model shows that the electrons in atoms are in orbits of differing energy around the nucleus. It is like planets orbiting the Sun. An exam of the image of Shiva Lingam in the context of the Bohr model would demonstrate the puzzling truth that Brahma hs created the world. The behavior of Proton, Electron, Neutron, and Energy are well demonstrated by Shiva Lingam. Vishnu signifies Proton with a positive electrical charge. Mahesha signifies Neutron with no electrical charge. Brahma signifies Electron with a negative electrical charge.

                                      Sakthi is Energy. Sakthi is a type of energy field represented by a Disc. Shiva Lingam represents the atomic structure. As per Rishis, Shiva & Vishnu are present in the Lingam. In Sanskrit, the three lines signify multiple. In the atomic structure, there are Protons and Neutrons which are surrounded by fast spinning Electrons. Sakthi is represented by a Disc in oval shape with three ridges carved at its periphery. She is Energy and plays a vital role in the Universe. In portraits of Vishnu, a lotus is depicted as arising from the navel of Vishnu & Brahma is seated on the lotus. Which signifies Energy which has the force of attraction. The stem of the lotus can bend because of its flexibility signalling that Brahma moves around Vishnu.

                                    This is a message that Electron is attracted to Proton because of the opposite charge. Neutron is depicted as Shiva which has no charge at all. The nucleus of the atom also contains neutrons. Neutrons are about the same size as Protons, but have no electric charge. Neutrons are bound very tightly in the atom’s nucleus with the Protons. When the atom’s nucleus contains as many Neutrons as Protons, the atom is stable. Similarly, the ancient sages provided the idea that when Shiva is not disturbed and separated, he remains calm.

                                  Shiva remains calm because Sakthi takes the form of Renuka. The energy which forms the molecules is denoted by its valency, which in Sanskrit is Renuka. Renuka is one produces Renu or molecule. Two atoms make one molecule. Sakthi is Shiva’s wife & dances around Shiva throughout. However, when Neutron is disturbed & separated natural disaster occur,which signify that Shakthi turns out to be a terror known as Rudrani (Kali) performing destructive dance, signalling natural disaster. The actual producer of molecules is Electron which signifies Brahma. Modern physics shows that Electrons are shared between the atoms to form a molecule. Therefore the Hindu concept that Brahma created the earth is in conformity with Science.

                                If a person meditates, his/her energies will naturally take the form of Lingam. As the first and final form before dissolution is also a Lingam, Lingam is considered as a gateway to the beyond. In Sanatana Dharma, Lord Shiva is considered as the Supreme Truth. There is another scientific truth that water poured down on the Lingam is not considered as holy water or Theertham as it is called. Shiva Lingam is considered to be an atom model. There is radiation from Lingam as it is made out of a type of granite stone. Granite is a source of radiation as it is formed out of lava solidified over thousands or even millions of years, contain naturally occurring radioactive elements like radium, uranium and thorium. That’s why it’s advised not to touch water that is poured down on the Lingam. The sages were aware that there will be radiation fall-out if some accidents occur and that is the reason that Shiva Temples were built close to the vicinity of sea, ponds, rivers and tanks.

Courtesy - Aabhas K Maldahiyar
               - Google Images