Shiva - Lingam of fire

SHIVA MANIFESTED AS A LINGAM OF FIRE – from SHIVA PURANA

In Hindus mythology there are many legends in which SHIVA plays a central role. From the many aspects and manifestations of Shiva, his manifestation as a lingam of fire is one of the most novel and mysterious ones. The immemorial legend, which makes accessible for us fundamental spiritual teachings, is written in the chapters 7-9 of the sacred text SHIVA PURANA. Here it is described the divine intervention of Shiva in the fight for supremacy – fight that seems endless and which destroyed the entire world – between Brahma, the creator of the Universe, and Vishnu, its keeper.

(In order to enter the intimacy of the myth, we give you a few details.

Brahma is the masculine aspect (+), Vishnu is the feminine aspect (-) and Shiva is the transcendent aspect, neutral (0), which allows both the entering into manifestation as well as its transcendence. This neutral force which is invisible, because it never manifests directly, produces and reabsorbs both the plus and the minus, at the same time integrating them in a unitary whole; nothing can exist in its absence.)

Here is the fragment from SHIVA PURANA in which the manifestation of Shiva as a lingam of fire is described.

“On the battle field, Brahma and Vishnu continued to fight to death, waiting for the result of the confrontation of their supreme weapons, maheshvara and pashupata, which they had projected. The flames caused by the battle between the two armies were burning all the three worlds. Seeing this impending destruction of the universe, which would have been premature and would have come in an inappropriate moment, Shiva’s invisible presence took the terrifying form of a huge column of fire that appeared between the two divine aspects. Thus, the two armies caught in the flames of war, which were enough to burn the entire universe, were absorbed into the huge column of fire. Seeing this amazing phenomenon which neutralized their weapons, the two fighting Gods asked each other: “What is this amazing appearance? What is this column of fire that has risen between us? It is beyond our sensorial perception. We must find its end and its beginning; we must find where its basis and its top are!”
Agreeing about this decision, the two heroes proud of their courage immediately started to investigate.
“There will be no positive result if we stay together”, said Vishnu and, taking the form of a wild boar, went downwards, to find the foundation of the column of Light. At his turn; Brahma took the form of a migrating bird (hamsa) and flew towards the sky, to find the top of the column.

Crossing the inferior worlds and going very far downwards, Vishnu did not succeed to find the foundation of the huge column of fire. Completely exhausted in his form as a wild boar, he came back to the battle field.
Brahma also could not find the top of this column and he returned to the starting point.
Then Shiva, full of compassion, manifested as a divine being, revealing His presence in that infinite column. This is what He spoke (chapter 9):
“I have two aspects: one manifested and one not manifested. None else has these two aspects; therefore no one else can be the Supreme Master of the Universe. My nature is not manifested when I am seen as Supreme reality, and it is manifested when I am seen as Sovereign of the Universe.
This infinite column of fire suggests my supreme impersonal nature. This lingam will be my symbol and you all will worship it forever. My dear sons, from now on, this column of fire, without beginning and without end, can be represented in a smaller form, out of necessity for ordinary perception and its adoration. This symbol of the lingam will bring to the wise one the state of beatitude. Its adoration is the best way to obtain endless happiness in this world as well as ultimate spiritual perfection. He will be able to remove all the possible obligatory rebirths in the sphere of illusion and ignorance of any incarnated human being.
Respecting the spiritual ceremonies, bringing offerings and praying, any spiritual practice related to this symbol will be a million times more efficient then the practice not related to it.
If I will be adored in My supreme form as a lingam and if in this relation to the lingam all the other spiritual ceremonies and procedures will be performed, the five forms of liberation (known in the Indian tradition) will be certainly achieved: to live in the same divine world with Me – salokya, to be always close to Me – samipya, to be completely like Me – sarupya, to reach the same divine powers as Mine – sarishti and to be completely identified with Me – sayujia.
In this way all of you will be able to obtain the fulfilling of all your desires!
The symbol of the lingam and Myself, which is thus symbolized, are not two different entities. The Lingam is my Absolute Being. It allows My worshipers to come close to me. Thus, it is always and completely worthy of being worshipped."

| More...