The Significance and Story behind Shiva’s Lingodbhava
On July 03, 2023Lingodbhava is a form of Shiva where he appears as the phallic symbol, Lingam. The word means ‘emergence of the Linga’. This form is the aniconic representation of the deity. The story of Lingodbhava can be found in many Puranas, like the Linga Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, Kurma Purana, Vamana Purana, Brahmanda Purana, and Vayu Purana, but with slight variations. The story of the Linga’s origin is also the story of Shiva’s birth.
One can see the icons of Lingodbhava murti on the gopuram (tower) and walls of many Shiva temples of Southern India, mostly in Tamil Nadu and some regions of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Lingodbhava statues are common in temples that were built as per Agama rules.
Legend behind Lingodbhava
As per the Puranas, Lingodbhava emerged in order to remove the ignorance of Brahma and Vishnu, the other 2 deities of the Trimurti or Hindu trinity of major gods.
The Lingodbhava idol comprises a long, pillar-like structure, which is the lingam, in which one can see the 4-armed Shiva.
Surrounding the lingam, there is a swan flying to the top. It represents Brahma. At the bottom, there is a boar, representing Vishnu, digging into the earth to find the bottom part of the linga.
The Lingodbhava form is usually seen on the western wall of the main shrine (garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum) of Shiva temples. These deities which adorn the walls of the garbhagriha are Kosta devatas. The south wall has images of Dakshinamurthy, and the northern one features images of Brahma or Ishana.
During the Chola period, the Lingodbhava form became popular in the temples of Shiva. Many other kingdoms followed suit later.
Some old literary texts refer to the Lingodbhava murti as Linga Purana deva, indicating the form that the Linga Purana describes.
Iconography
The Lingodbhava forms can have slight variations in their depictions. But a long structure of the lingam with an idol of Shiva carved in it along with a boar and a swan is very common.
In the most popular images, there is a central long pillar in which Shiva is in a standing posture and emerging out of it.
The deity usually has 4 arms. He holds an ax and an antelope with his upper hands, while the lower hands show Abhaya mudra (protection) and Varada mudra (boon bestowal).
The feet are depicted as if hidden in the linga. Occasionally, the left lower hands are kept free on the waist in Katya valambita mudra.
In some temples, the Lingodbhava form has 8 hands and carries a trident.
Towards the top of the lingam, one can see a swan that seems to be moving upwards as if to find the top of the lingam. The swan represents Brahma.
At the bottom of the lingam, one can see a boar that seems to be diving into the depths of the earth to find the lingam’s origin. The boar is Vishnu.
In some depictions, the statues of Brahma and Vishnu are on the side of Lingodbhava. Both Brahma and Vishnu stand with folded hands, bowing to Shiva.
The Shaiva Agamas offer clear instructions on how to depict the Lingodbhava and even the proportion that needs to be followed while sculpting the form.
Significance of Lingodbhava Kalam
The time when Shiva appeared for the first time in the form of the Lingam is the Lingodbhava kalam, and the day in particular, is Maha Shivaratri. The Lingodbhava kalam is supposedly very auspicious.
The belief is that those who worship Shiva in his Linga form will attain good fortune and Moksha. Their sins will also be eliminated.
The Story of Lingodbhava
At the end of the Kalpa (a time period of 4.32 billion years), only a single vast sheet of water existed. Brahma saw Vishnu enjoying a yogic sleep on his serpent bed, Shesha. He aroused him with a blow of his hand and asked him who he was. Vishnu replied that he was the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the world. Brahma became angry, as he believed himself to be the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the world. Then they began arguing about who was superior.
As their fight escalated, the other gods in heaven became worried.
Suddenly, a Jyotirlinga, or a huge and infinite pillar of fire, appeared between the 2 warring gods. Thousands of flaming clusters arose from it. It had no beginning, middle, or end. It was the source of the universe. Vishnu and Brahma were stunned by it.
They decided to find the beginning or end of the pillar. Whoever found it first would be the supreme god, they agreed.
Brahma turned into a swan and flew up to find the beginning of the pillar of fire. Vishnu turned into a boar and began digging downwards.
Even after 1000 years, neither could find where the pillar of fire began or ended.
Vishnu conceded defeat. In the meantime, Brahma saw a Ketaki flower falling down from the sky. He told the flower to bear false witness for him and say that he had found the starting point. The Ketaki flower agreed.
So, Brahma lied to Vishnu that that he had found the starting of the fire column, and the Ketaki flower testified to it.
But Shiva was furious. He appeared before them and accused Brahma of uttering a lie. He also cursed Brahma, saying that no one would worship him any more and that there would be no temples for him. He also cursed the Ketaki flower. Because of his curse, the flower is not used in the worship of Shiva.
However, he told Vishnu that as he had been truthful, he would be worshipped like Shiva himself. Later, Brahma sought Shiva’s forgiveness. Shiva took pity on him and said that he would continue to be honored when Yagnas were performed.
