Pierre Shiva Lingam – properties, virtues & benefits
For thousands of years, the Shiva Lingam Stone, native to India, has been considered a sacred stone with significant sPiritual significance and healing properties. Its unique oval cylindrical shape symbolizes the union of masculine and feminine energy in a creative process, making it a symbol of the universal energy of Shiva, the Hindu god responsible for creation and destruction. Individuals use it as part of meditation and energy-balancing practices, as well as for physical and emotional healing.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SHIVA LINGAM
- Chakra: Root (Muladhara).
- Properties: Healing, energy balance, meditation, protection, transformation.
- Astrology: /
- Zodiac: /
- Elements: Earth.
- Colors: Red, brown, beige.
- Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale.
- Chemical Formula: Quartz silicate.
- Associated god: Shiva.
PIERRE SHIVA LINGAM – HIS STORY
Shiva Lingam stone comes from the Narmada River, located in west-central India, and is available in colors such as brown, beige and red. According to legend, the river was created by Shiva’s persPiration, which is why it is considered a renowned place of Pilgrimage. Each Shiva Lingam stone is unique because of the brown mark applied and the shape created by the river’s current. This stone is valued for its virtues in lithotherapy, beyond its aesthetic appearance.
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The Shiva Lingam is a phallic representation of Shiva, perceived as the ultimate reality in many of India’s religions. The lingam is an expression of Shiva values such as asceticism and tantrism, but is also associated with the goddess Shakti and femininity. There are two categories of lingam, man-made manusi linga and naturally created svayambhu-liṅga.
The lingam is often associated with “yoni” and femininity, and symbolizes traditional creation and destruction in Trimurti. Shivataists consider Shiva to be the god par excellence, and the union of lingam and yoni symbolizes the totality of the world.
Temples dedicated to Shiva are often adorned with lingams, objects of various shapes ranging from small pebbles painted to balance, to a phallus embellished with the god’s sculpted head. During the “puja” ritual, these lingams are drizzled with milk, honey or clarified butter, and decorated with offerings such as flowers, fruit and sweets. Lingam covers called “kosa” in precious metals and stones are often used to cover the rounded part of the lingam, known as the “lingamani” or “manikâ”.
There are several lingams in India, but some are considered particularly sacred and are called “jyotirlinga”, meaning the lingam of light. Below is a non-exhaustive list of these places:
- Somanâtha or Somnâth, in Gujarat
- Mallikârjuna at Srisailam, 232 km south of Hyderabad on the banks of the Krishna.
- Omkareshwar, in Madhya Pradesh on the banks of the Narmadâ.
- Amareshvara in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- Vaidyanath at Deogarh in Bihar.
- Bhîmashankara or Bhimsankar near Pune in Maharashtra.
- Râmeshvara at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu.
- Nageshwar or Aundha-Nagnath in Maharashtra.
- Vishveshvara or Kashi Vishwanath in Vârânasî, Uttar Pradesh.
- Triambaka near Nasik and the Gomatî springs in Maharashtra.
- Kedarnath in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 3,600 m in the Himalayas.
- Grishneshwar in Maharashtra near Ellorâ caves.
Hindus have great veneration for Shiva, due to his ability to reproduce, which is considered the source of the creation of all living things. This belief is associated with the representation of Shiva’s reproductive organ, the lingam, which is often dePicted in union with the female organs. This association can be found in other cultures, such as the Romans with their deity Priape and the Egyptians.
Many legends surround the origin of this cult. One tells of Shiva being cursed and losing the use of his reproductive organ. In another, Shiva was locked up with his wife Dourga, but the door remained closed, arousing the anger of a devotee who requested that every human being worshipPing Shiva in the form of the lingam be favored. This request was granted by the god, enabling the man to obtain redress for his injury.
The 19th-century orientalist Abbé Dubois tells a story in which Brahmâ, Vishnou and Vasishta, accompanied by a procession of illustrious penitents, visit Shiva and catch him having intimate relations with his wife. Some of the gods laugh at the situation, but most are indignant and load Shiva with insults and curses.
The gods and penitents are outraged after catching Shiva having intimate relations with his wife Dourga, and curse him with anathemas. Confused, Shiva asks his guards who paid him a visit, and they tell him what happened. Shiva and Dourga are so overwhelmed by grief that they lose their lives in the same position where the gods found them.
Before his death, Shiva asks that his new form, that of the Lingam, be celebrated among humans. He encourages people to honor the Lingam by offering sacrifices and worship, and promises that those who venerate it will obtain the object of their wishes and a place in Kailâsa. He also asks that the leaves, flowers and fruit of the mango tree be offered to him to obtain his favor. Finally, he announces that those who fast on the 14th day of the moon in the month of Magha, pay homage to the Lingam the following night, and offer mangosteen leaves, will obtain a place in the Kailâsa.
Shiva exhorts his devotees to worship the Lingam, promising them great rewards. He explains that those who make the image of the Lingam from earth or cow dung and honor it will receive a reward, while those who make one from stone or silver will receive seven times as much merit and never see the king of the underworld. Followers who make one in gold will earn seven times more merit than those who make it in silver. Shiva also instructs his ministers to teach men these truths and encourage them to worship the Lingam, which is Shiva himself. The Lingam is considered a major religious symbol for Shiva’s followers, the Shaïvas or Shivaïtes, but is often desPised by Vishnu’s worshippers, the Vaishnavas. The Lingayits, a branch of the Shivaites, regard the Lingam as a symbol of equality, believing that an outcast who worships it has the same value as a Brahmin.
The lingam is an important religious symbol in India and is worshipped mainly by the Shivaites or Shaivas. It is often dePicted on a pedestal with a basin and a round column. Each part represents a different deity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Lingam worship begins with a kiss or touch with the foot, followed by the application of blood to the statue while prayers are recited.
According to legend, the lingam was once so large that Shiva could no longer have sexual relations, so he cut it into 12 Pieces to give birth to any living being. These twelve parts were considered to be the very essence of Shiva. Muslim conquerors destroyed some of these Pieces.
Women often wear the lingam as jewelry and dedicate their prayers for fertility to it. In some parts of India, Shivaists practice their religion in the nude, with women touching and sometimes kissing their genitalia. Although lingam worship is associated with the sexual organ, Shivaists have taken a vow of chastity, and betrayal of this oath is punishable by death. The lingam is omnipresent in India, in temples, homes, on roads, and Shiva is still worshipped with sacrifices and offerings.
SHIVA LINGAM STONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION
Shiva Lingam stone is composed of silicon dioxide, iron and magnesium. Its crystalline system is more fascinating than its chemical composition. It belongs to the jasper family and contains agate, basalt, iron oxide, jasper and quartz. Its hardness can reach 7 on the Mohs scale. The ovoid shape of the Shiva Lingam symbolizes Yin and Yang. The construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Narvada river prevented the harvesting of Shiva Lingam stones, originally scheduled for the dry season. The Shiva Lingam stones are now buried under several meters of water, making them difficult to extract.
SHIVA LINGAM STONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES
SHIVA LINGAM ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL
The Shiva lingam, made up of multiple stones, possesses numerous virtues that are beneficial for each sign of the zodiac. This stone helps open several chakras, including the sacral chakra, the heart chakra, the frontal chakra and the coronal chakra. The Shiva Lingam stone can help open the heart and strengthen bonds between people thanks to its powerful, positive energies. For those prone to anxiety and stress, the Shiva Lingam stone can help restore serenity and overcome inner conflicts. Carrying the Shiva Lingam stone around with you can reduce stress and anxiety. This stone also helps to develop universal and unconditional love thanks to its positive energies.
SHIVA LINGAM ON THE PHYSICAL LEVEL
The Shiva lingam is capable of capturing the essence of every living being and absorbing their positive energies. Endowed with exceptional vibratory strength, it promotes the circulation of energies. Placing a Shiva Lingam stone in your home or garden will strengthen their electromagnetic field and diminish the telluric effects associated with underground springs. Its power is such that a single 30 cm Shiva Lingam stone can radiate up to 4 km around it. Symbolizing both masculinity and femininity, the Shiva Lingam is associated with knowledge and wisdom. Because of its history, the Shiva Lingam stone is reputed to soothe and harmonize sexual relations.
PIERRE SHIVA LINGAM – CLEAN AND RECHARGE
As the Shiva Lingam Stone is a sacred stone used for meditation and healing, it’s important to clean and recharge it regularly to maintain its energetic properties. Here’s how to do it:
Cleaning:
- Rinse stone with clear water to remove dust and impurities.
- Soak the stone in a container of salt water for a few hours, then rinse with clear water.
- Wrap the stone in a clean cloth and leave to air dry naturally.
Loading:
- Expose the stone to direct sunlight for a few hours, avoiding the hottest hours of the day.
- Place the stone on a cluster of crystals or quartz for several hours to recharge it with their energy.
- Wrap the stone in a natural cloth and leave it to rest for several days in a peaceful, harmonious place.
Repeat this process regularly as the stone is used to maintain its positive energy.
WHERE DOES THE NAME SHIVA LINGAM COME FROM?
The name “Shiva Lingam” comes from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. “Shiva” is the name of a Hindu god associated with creation and destruction, while “Lingam” designates a phallic symbol that represents masculine energy and creation. Thus, the Shiva Lingam is a sacred symbol representing the union of masculine and feminine energy, and is associated with creation, regeneration and transformation in Hindu sPirituality. The Shiva Lingam Stone is a physical form of this symbol and is considered a sacred stone with sPiritual and healing energetic properties.
WHICH CHAKRA DOES SHIVA LINGAM ACT ON?
The Shiva Lingam is associated with the root chakra (Muladhara), which is located at the base of the sPine. The root chakra is linked to security, stability and survival, as well as connection to the earth and vital energy. The Shiva Lingam is used to balance and strengthen this chakra, helPing to release energy blockages and promote greater self-confidence, a sense of inner security and connection to the earth and universe.
WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH SHIVA LINGAM?
No astrological sign is specifically associated with Shiva Lingam. However, the stone can be beneficial to all zodiac signs as it is considered a stone of healing and energetic balance. The Shiva Lingam Stone is often used in meditation to help calm the mind, connect to universal energy and promote inner peace. It is also considered a stone of transformation, helPing to release emotional blockages and promote personal growth.
SHIVA LINGAM STONE SUMMARY
The Shiva Lingam stone is a sacred stone revered in Hinduism, mainly in India. This cylinder-shaped stone is considered a symbol of the deity Shiva, who represents creation, destruction and regeneration.
The Shiva Lingam stone is often used in Hindu sPiritual practices to promote meditation, sPiritual awakening and soul purification. The stone is believed to possess healing and energizing properties, and can help balance the chakras and harmonize the body’s energy.
Shiva Lingam stone is often found in the rivers of India’s Narmada region, where it is harvested for use in sPiritual practices and ceremonies. The stones are often polished to bring out their natural patterns and characteristic shape.
In summary, the Shiva Lingam stone is a sacred object in Hinduism, which is used for meditation, healing and harmonizing the energy of body and soul.