Tuesday 26 July 2011

Shiva Lingam Pastime: Pastime of Sage Brighu

Have you ever being to a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. You must have observed a Shiva lingam there. I bet you may wonder why Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of Linga. What is the pastime or leela behind Shiva Lingam? Read on to know the most enthralling pastime described in Hindu scriptures regarding Lord Shiva and Shiva Lingam.

Pastime of Brighu Sage Brighu
Once upon a time elevated sages started performing a great sacrificial ceremony. During the ceremony the great sage Narada Muni arrived at the place and asked who would get the effects or Phala of the sacrifice. The sages thought for sometime and decided that Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were all eligible. But Narada Muni insisted that only one should be given the credit. Then all sages started fighting about the Supremacy of one over the other. Narada Muni then asked Brighu Rishi, who has mystic powers, to go and find who is Supreme among Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Brighu first went to Lord Brahma to test him. He entered in the assembly of Lord Brahma and deliberately did not bow down. Lord Brahma was outraged. Then Brighu Rishi revealed that it was mere a test and cursed him that there will not be anytemple of Lord Brahma on earth.
Next Brighu went to Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva was about to embrace him, Brighu offended him by going away. He then started uttering all inauspicious things about Lord Shiva. This made Lord Shiva very angry. Then soon Lord Shiva realized that it was a test and he begged for forgiveness. Brighu rishi cursed him that he will be worshipped on earth as a lingam. Lord Shiva took the form of Linga and from then people on earth started worshipping Shiva Lingam as the representation of Lord Shiva.
The story continues when Brighu goes to Lord Vishnu and kicks His chest in presence of Lakshmi devi. Lord Vishnu, instead of being outraged, apologizes that He could not serve him. He then starts pressing the sage’s foot. This pleases Brighu and he declares that Lord Vishnu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus Lord Vishnu became the eligible person for to get the credit of sacrifice.
This pastime lucidly concludes that Lord Vishnu is Supreme but Lord Shiva is glorified in form of Shiva Lingam.

2 comments:

  1. This is not a vaild one....Do u think a curse on a supreme consiousness that too for a worldly pleasure (palah) would have made Shiva to be worshiped in form of linga??

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  2. The story that I heard was that Shiva was in the act of couplating with his consort Parvati and ignored Bhrigu and so Bhrigu cursed Shiva according to the condition he was in!

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