This book amply illustrates in the light of the Vedic texts that Siva (or Rudra) is one of the names of the Supreme Spirit, who has two different form - one the minutest residing in the heart of every living beings, and the other the largest holding the entire universe including the heavenly bodies in the milky way. Siva is not a non-Aryan god; and the term Linga instead of indicating his phallus, stands for the endless space (aksasam lingamityahuh). The Lord was never conceived only as a terrible god; but at all times all His three different activities were correctly conceived by the Indian seers. His serpent stands either for the Kula Kundalini (electrical energy in a human body) or for his terrible wrath against the sinners. Likewise, the significance of different limbs, weapons, mount, garment, matted locks etc. of the Lord are also given with authoritative texts. Moreover various types of Sivalingas and the innumerable Lingas found at different places, with their recorded history are also given.

About the Author:

Rabindra Kumar Siddhantasastree had all along an extraordinary brilliant academic career. Besides being a Premchand Roychand Scholar (Calcutta, 1955) he is a holder of five Tirtha and seven Shastree titles. He is an author of a number of books and is at present lecturer in the Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture, University of Calcutta.

CONTENTS List of Abbreviations
Preface

Chapter I
Conception of Rudra in the Early Vedic Texts

Chapter II
A Critical Review of Sir R.G. Bhandarkar's Views

Chapter III
The Antiquity of Sivalinga

Chapter IV
Different Types of Sivalingas

Chapter V
Popularity of Siva

Chapter VI
The Puranic Stories About Siva and their Significance

Chapter VII
The Ideas Behind the Image of Siva

Chapter VIII
Saivism in Kasmir

Chapter IX
The Virasaiva Sect of the Saivas

Chapter X
The Pasupata System of Siva Worship

Bibliography