Big Blooper - Page 2

Originally posted by: swordfishh

There are many websites and many versions in them... Its best to stick to the Sanskrit texts and the interpretations there... You are right in saying that Shiva appeared first as an endless pillar of light, now known as the "Jyotirlinga".. But the worship of the existing shape of the shivling and the triangular structure in between has a special significance... There are many explanations to what the shape of the shivling means but they all lead to the same thing... The union of Shiva and his female consort (Sati/Parvati) / sign of fertility/ origin of life etc... You might want to look up sanskrit texts to see in what context the word "lingam" or "linga" is generally used and what the other synonyms of the word are...

Mythology also says that the 12 Jyotirlingas were formed after Sati's burning body was cut into 12 pieces and each piece manifested itself into a Jyotirlinga... There are no records in sanskrit texts as to what form Shiva was worshipped in before his marriage to Sati.. But it was definitely not in the form of the present day Shivling (as they show in the serial) because triangular shape in between the pillar like structure is the symbol of Pavati/Sati unified with Shiva...