The Amazing Glory of Ashutosh ! Lord Shiva ! Part 2

 Sarvo vai Rudrastasmai Rudraya namo astu । Purusho vai Rudrah saṇmaho namo namah ।
Vishvam bhootam bhuvanam chitram bahudha jatam jayamanam cha yat । Sarvo hyosh Rudras tasmaiRudraya namo astu ॥

He who is Rudra, the consort of Uma, is the one who dwells in all bodies as the soul; to Him we offer our salutations. The one renowned and incomparable Rudra alone is the Supreme Purusha (Person) — abiding as Brahma in the Brahmaloka, as Prajapati in the Prajapati Loka, as Virāt in the sun’s loka, and as Jeev (soul) in all the living beings. To that great Rudra, embodiment of Sat-Chit-Ananda, we bow again and again. The entire universe, moving and unmoving — whatever exists, has existed, or will exist — cannot be apart from / different from the rule and power of Rudra. All this indeed is Rudra; unto Him we offer our reverent salutations.

The Types of Shiva Lingas and their Importance

In part-2 we will know about, how many different forms or types of Shiv-linga are worshipped and which type of shiva linga one should worship for a particular wish.

Broadly Shiva Linga is of two forms and each form has many sub-forms:

• Akrutim (formed Naturally)
• Kratim (Artificial means made by sculpturer in stone, or from different metals, we will say sculpted because artificial sounds inappropriate for lord Shiva’s conscious form)

Both above mentioned are also of 2 types chal and achal (chal are those which can be moved and achal are those which cannot be moved)

Akratim Lingas

Akratim Lingas have different symbols visible, which are natural and not made by humans, mostly the names are based of what symbols are displayed on the shiv Linga’s . Akratim Lingas are of 5 types –  

1. Swayambhu Linga are formed naturally and have different images which appear on the outer surface, their shape vary and based on which their names are kept, They are Brahma Linga, Aindra Linga, Aagneya Linga, Yamya Linga, Nairit Linga, Varun Linga, Vayviya Linga, Kauber Linga, Ishan Linga,
2. DaivLinga,

• Gol Linga (or Golak Linga),

1. Aarya Linga– Yagyopavit symbol
2. Manas Linga – 3 types Raudra Linga, Shivnaabhi Linga and Ban-liga

Akratim Linga -> Manas Linga are of three forms

1. Raudra Linga are made in shiv linga from naturally by the high speed river water flow due to high friction of water.
2. Shivnaabhi Linga Here the vedi (Base) of Shiv Linga has sudarshan chakra symbol
3. Ban Lingas are Raudra Lingas (formed by the friction of high speed water flow) in Narmada River. All shiva lingas created by narmada river water are called Ban Linga or Narmadeshawar Shiva linga.

Akratim Linga -> Manas Linga -> Ban Lingas or Narmadeshwar Shivlingas

Ban-Linga has immense spiritual importance hence need detailed discussion

Shiva Puran mentions the ranking of different shiv lingas based on their spiritual and material both benefits. The Order of Superiority of linga (based on what substance it is made of) in ascending order is as follows:

• Compared to the Lingas made of soft material such clay, cow dung, Parthiv or clay pashan (Stone) linga is superior.
• Compared to Pashan (stone linga) Sphatik (Crystal) Linga is superior, similarly
• Superiority in ascending order – Sphatik – > Padmrag Mani –> Pushp Rag Mani->, Pukhraj- >Gomed- > Coral-> Pearl- > Silver- >Gold –> Diamond –> Parad In shastras Parad Linga is called as the Veerya of Rudra very powerful form of Shiva and Ban-Linga is even more Superior to Parad Linga.

Narmadeshwara Linga (Akratim) is even Superior to the supreme Sculpted Linga – Parad Linga

As per Sanatan Dharm Shastras the benefit of worshipping millions of Ratn Linga (gems, gold diamond made lingas) is equivalent to worshipping 1 Parad shivlinga. And the benefit of worshipping millions of Parad Shivlingas is equivalent to the Worship of Just ONE Ban Linga – Narmadeshwar Shivlinga.

Over-all the Guidance in the Scriptures (Sanatan Dharm Shastras) says that Natural Made Shiva Linga are Superior to human sculpted shiva-lingas and Parad which is most superior form is also human made.

Important to Know About Ban-Linga (Narmadeshwar Shivalinga)

In Vedic literature it is mentioned that lord Shiva is present in each and every Narmadeshwar Shivalinga, he is highly benevolent and easy to please Deity (also known as Ashutosh and Bholenath), who in this ban-linga form fulfils all worldly and spiritual desires both.

Another very important advantage of worshiping Narmadeshawar is Pran Pratishtha (Invoking Life) is not required because Lord Shiva is present with his full consciousness.

Types of Ban – Linga (Narmadeshwar Shivalinga) and  the benefit of worshipping them:

Ban Lingas come with amazing images and sanatan dharm symbols that are naturally formed on the linga’s. We will talk here about those Shivlingas whose worship is beneficial and auspicious for householder devotees. There are some Banalingas whose worship can also cause harm, we have not discussed about those Lingas.

Indra Linga: if Vajra symbol is seen its called indra linga, One becomes a ruler by worshiping Indra Linga.

Aagneya Linga : Lingas with the symbol of spear and / or those lingas with resplendent and radiant with the colour of fire are called Aagneya Linga. With the blessings of this Linga worshipper becomes brilliant and powerful.

Varun Linga: The round black colored (like a bumblebee) Linga is called Varun. Its worship is auspicious and brings, happiness, good fortune etc.

Vaishnav Linga: The Linga on which symbols of Lord Vishnu’s weapons like conch, chakra, mace, lotus etc. are seen or the footprints Vishnu ji are visible is called Vaishnav Linga; by worshipping it one attains all kinds of prosperity.

If Vaishnav Narmadeshwar Linga bears a symbol like a Shaligram stone or the moon, worshipping such a Linga bestows Lakshmi. If the Narmadeshwar Shivalinga bears the symbols of a lotus, a swastika, or a Srivatsa, it bestows immense wealth.

Trilochan Linga: A white Shivalinga with three eyes symbol, worshipping Trilochan narmadeshwar helps alleviate all sins.

Ardhanarishwar Narmadeshwar Shivling: The one which has the symbols of trident, damaru etc. and half of it is of white colour and half of it is of red colour is called Ardhanarishwar Linga, it fulfils all the wishes of humans.

Kratim Linga

Sculpted Lingas (or man-made Lingas) are created by sculptors from metal, gems, stone, rock, etc., and due to this, they are of countless types. Some types of artificial Shivlingas and their significance are as follows:

• Linga made of Shila / Stone: Worship of this type can lead to the attainment of Moksha (liberation).
• Parthiv Shivlinga which are made of clay/earth: They hold great significance. The worship of a Parthiv Shivlinga has prescribed rituals and methods in the scriptures, and if performed formally with a specific desire, they are said to grant both worldly desires (bhoga) and Moksha.
• Gold Linga (Swarna Linga): Worship of a Linga made of gold metal ensures that Lakshmi (wealth) remains stable and leads to the attainment of kingdom/sovereignty (rajya).
• Copper Linga (Tamra Linga): Worship of a copper Linga brings about the progress and prosperity of one’s children.
• Parad Shivlinga (Mercury Linga): The glory of the Parad Shivlinga among artificial Lingas has been mentioned previously (in the original source text). The fruit of worshipping countless gem Lingas is obtained by the worship of just one Parad Shivlinga. The method for creating a Linga made of mercury is described in the scriptures, and knowledgeable devotees know how to construct it. The worship of a Parad Shivlinga leads to the attainment of immeasurable wealth (atul aishwarya).
• It is also possible to fulfill all desires through the worship of Diamond and Sphatik (Crystal) Shivlingas.

Additional Types and Their Benefits

Besides these, the scriptures also detail the methods for constructing and worshipping many other types of Shivlingas—each for the fulfilment of different desires—including those made from:

• Grains
• Jaggery
• Gandh Linga (made from fragrant substances like musk, sandalwood, saffron, etc.)
• Pushpa Linga (made from flowers)
• Herbs like Ashwagandha
• Sand (balu)
• Salt (lavana)
• Sugar (sharkara)
• Wheat, Rice, Sesame (til)
• Cow Ghee (ghrita)
• Cow-Dung (that has not fallen to the ground)
• Durva grass
• Bhasma (sacred ash)
• Amla (Indian gooseberry)
• Camphor (kapoor)

Through these various Shivalinga forms if prescribed methods are used for sculpting and worship, there is no desire that cannot be fulfilled.