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Shiva is worshiped as the Supreme God within Shaivism, one of the three most influential denominations in contemporary Hinduism, and is also called “the Transformer and the Destroyer”. The most popular form of worshiping Lord Shiva in Hinduism is the Linga form, known as Shivalinga.
Rishi Bhrigu and other
sages could not recognize Shiva. They cursed that his Linga (phallus) should
fall off. Shiva would only be worshiped in his symbolic form. Shiva allowed it to be so and the Linga
became an infinite fiery pillar of light.
The radiant,
transparent Shivling, the Sphatik Shivling, is one of the best and most
recommended Shivling to be installed at home for worship. The ritual of Pran
Prathishta is not required for the Spatika Lingam, because it is all pure.
A small thumb’s size or up to 2 inches of Shiva lingam should be used for home puja. There are elaborate, intricate procedures and numerous rituals to be done before a Shiva statue puja at home. It is impractical and certainly does not serve the purpose of worship. Hence a Shiva lingam is kept for puja at home, accompanied by a “Nandi”. The Nandi should be oriented such that it faces the Shivalinga.
Vastu experts recommend keeping only one Shivlinga at the house. One should not keep different symbols of Lord Shiva in the same place. He can keep this symbol of Shiva in his house if it is small in size. It is not recommended to keep a big shivling in his place.
Keeping one symbol and not more than that is necessary for the energy of God to reside in the representing symbol. Hence, we should never keep more than one Shivlinga at home. Moreover, since Lord Shiva is one, we should not use different symbols for him in one place.
☛ Lord Shiva should face the North at all times.
☛ According to Vastu Shastra, the direction of Ishan,
or the northeast, is the best for a pooja room.
☛ According to Agama Shastra, there are two acceptable
orientations of the shiva linga.
☛ The two types of Shiv Linga that can be kept at home without being consecrated, but powerful if worshiped daily are (a) parad (Mercury) shivling and (2) Ban linga or - a type of stone found in Narmada river banks. Even for these two types, a daily ritual is a must.
The Shiva Linga
should always be placed facing the North direction. That means the out-let of
any liquid poured on Shiva Linga should be in the North direction. Worshiping
the Shiva linga facing East or North direction is considered auspicious.
