Lingashtakam is a devotional hymn that praises the Linga form of Lord Shiva, and is recited to invoke Shiva’s blessings. As it has 8 verses, it is called an “ashtakam” (meaning ‘a Stotram with 8 verses). It is also known as Brahma Murari Surarchita Lingam Stotram. Devotees believe that reciting Lingashtakam can bestow mental peace. Regular chanting of the Lingastakam can help one attain Moksha.
The Shiva Lingam
Shiva, one of the Trimurti or holy trinity in Hinduism, is usually worshipped in the form of a Linga, symbolizing his formless nature and infinite cosmic energy. The Shiva Linga symbolizes creation, destruction, and the ultimate reality.
“Linga” refers to a “sign” or “mark” that proves that something exists. The word denoting Shiva first appeared in the Shvetasvatara Upanishad, which says that Shiva has no Linga or mark. In other words, he is transcendent, a being beyond any characteristic. So, the Linga is not Shiva’s form or body but the shape in which he is present in the universe as an invisible and eternal power.
Shiva Linga in the Puranas
Shiva Lingam is the formless and faultless Shiva, a symbol of the Supreme being. The Shiva Purana and Linga Purana describe the Shiva Linga as a combination of Parvati, whom the Peetham or the Vedi represents, and Shiva as the Lingam.
Meaning of Shiva Linga
In Hinduism, creation includes many different life forms, all of which are governed by the laws of nature. Each being has certain traits. If there is any imbalance, it can cause faults. But Shiva is beyond creation and its end. Nature’s laws do not apply to him. He is neither good nor bad. He signifies the ultimate truth of the universe. To symbolize this, He is depicted as the Lingam to represent this idea, as it is a form that is beyond all natural laws.
Origin Story of Shiva Linga
Before creation began, an argument broke out between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu regarding supremacy. To end their argument, Shiva appeared as a tall pillar of fire that expanded both upwards and downwards. The two feuding deities heard a voice say that the Supreme One would find the fire pillar’s beginning or end. Brahma turned into a swan and flew up into the sky, while Vishnu turned into a boar and dived into the earth’s depths.
Both failed to find the origin of the fire pillar. While Vishnu admitted it, Brahma lied that he saw the beginning of the fire pillar and was punished for his lie. People worship the fire pillar as the Lingam.
While Hindus worship idols of other gods, they tend to worship Shiva in his Linga form because the Lingam represents heavenly energy. Shiva Linga, as Dhyanalinga, is the eternal source of energy. In yogic legend, Shiva linga is the main structure to emerge during creation and the final structure before disintegration.
Shiva Linga symbolizes the essence of Shiva, that is, Shiva Tattva. It is not possible to portray it in a humanly conceivable form, color, shape, or material.
Some call it a phallic symbol, but Puranas and other texts claim that Shiva Linga is not an organ or limb. On the contrary, it refers to the fire pillar that appeared before Vishnu and Brahma. It is the primordial energy that is responsible for creation, preservation, and annihilation, condensed into a form that devotees could see and worship for their benefit.
Are Shiva Idols Worshipped?
Both the Shiva Linga and Shiva’s idols are worshipped in homes and temples. The Shiva Purana makes a distinction between nishkala Linga and sakal Ver (Shiva’s idol), his divine and benevolent aspects.
However, a story in the Padma Purana explains why people worship Shiva more in the form of Linga than idols. It says that Sage Bhrigu wanted to test the Trimurti – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. When he arrived at Kailas, Shiva’s abode, Nandi, the bull, informed him that Shiva was with Parvati. Feeling ignored, Bhrigu cursed Shiva, saying that people would worship him as Linga only and that his idols would not be used much in rituals.
Why do Hindus Worship Shiva Linga?
Worshipping Shiva Linga helps attain one’s desires. The Shiva Purana says that all living beings have the right to worship Shiva Linga to invoke Shiva’s blessings.
Shiva is described as “bhukti-mukti dayaka”- one who grants Bhukti (land and worldly pleasures) and Mukti (Moksha or liberation from worldly desires), Thus, whether you are seeking spiritual powers or material comforts, Shiva Lingam (the form taken by Shiva for the world’s uplift) can help you achieve it, as it is very sacred and powerful.
Significance of Lingashtakam
The author of Lingashtakam is Adi Shankaracharya, who is regarded as an avatar of Shiva. The hymn expresses devotion, faith, obedience, and loyalty toward Shiva. Shivalinga symbolically represents the creation of the Universe from Shiva and Shakti’s eternal play. The hymn speaks of Shiva’s glories and the rewards one can gain by worshipping the Shivalinga.
The month of Shravan is very auspicious to worship Shiva. The Lingashtakam is chanted during the Shiva Pooja that takes place every day during Shravan month. Devotees chant the hymn early in the morning or evening, usually during sunrise and sunset, while performing Pooja and offering prayers to the Shivalinga.
Chanting the Lingashtakam regularly brings many benefits. It can repel negative energy and bring peace of mind. It bestows good health, prosperity, and wisdom. Chanting it at dawn is said to remove Ashta daridra or Ashta dukka, meaning 8 kinds of pain and sorrow. It also bestows 8 types of blessings.
Lingashtakam Lyrics
brahmamurāri surārcita liṅgaṁ
nirmala bhāsita śōbhita liṅgam |
janma jaduḥkha vināśaka liṅgaṁ
tatpraṇamāmi sadā śiva liṅgam || 1 ||
dēvamuni pravarārcita liṅgaṁ
kāmadahana karuṇākara liṅgam |
rāvaṇadarpa vināśana liṅgaṁ
tatpraṇamāmi sadā śiva liṅgam || 2 ||
sarvasugandha sulēpita liṅgaṁ
buddhivivardhana kāraṇa liṅgam |
siddhasurāsura vandita liṅgaṁ
tatpraṇamāmi sadā śiva liṅgam || 3 ||
kanakamahāmaṇi bhūṣita liṅgaṁ
phaṇiparivēṣṭita śōbhita liṅgam |
dakṣhasuyajña vināśana liṅgaṁ
tatpraṇamāmi sadā śiva liṅgam || 4 ||
kuṅkuma chandanalēpita liṅgaṁ
paṅkajahāra suśōbhita liṅgam |
sañchitapāpa vināśana liṅgaṁ
tatpraṇamāmi sadā śiva liṅgam || 5 ||
dēvagaṇārchita sēvita liṅgaṁ
bhāvairbhakti bhirēvacha liṅgam |
dinakarakōṭi prabhākara liṅgaṁ
tatpraṇamāmi sadā śiva liṅgam || 6 ||
aṣṭadalō parivēṣṭita liṅgaṁ
sarvasamudbhava kāraṇa liṅgam |
aṣṭadaridra vināśana liṅgaṁ
tatpraṇamāmi sadā śiva liṅgam || 7 ||
suragurusuravara pūjita liṅgaṁ
suravanapuṣpa sadārcita liṅgam |
parāmapadam paramātmaka liṅgaṁ
tatpraṇamāmi sadā śiva liṅgam || 8 ||
liṅgāṣṭakamidaṁ puṇyaṁ yaḥ paṭēcchiva sannidhau |
śivalōkamavāpnōti śivēna saha mōdatē ||
