Can Idol of Lord Shiva Be Worshiped or Only Shivalinga?
Very rarely will you find temples with the idol of Lord Shiva.
Most of them have Shiva Linga, not idol.
Why is this so? Is the worship of Shiva idol prohibited in the shastras?
Bhrigu Maharshi once set out to test the tolerance of the Trimurthys – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
When provoked by Bhrigu Maharshi, Brahma and Shiva became angry.
Bhrigu Maharshi gave a curse to Mahadeva – that hereafter you will be worshipped only as Shivalinga, not murthy or idol.
Probably we are seeing the effect of this curse today.
But, does it say that it is a papa or offence to worship the idol of Shiva?
No, it doesn’t.
Shiva Purana says – shivasya lingaveratvam bhogamokshapradam nrunam.
Worship of both linga and idol would give bhoga and moksha.
So, it is clear — Shiva’s idol can be worshipped.
But then what is the significance of Shiva Linga?
All devatas have got two aspects – one saguna and the other nirguna.
Saguna is with physical form – like in the case of Mahadeva – with three eyes, jata, trishula, serpents as his ornaments.
Nirguna means no form. It cannot be described since it has no physical form.
But in the case of Lord Shiva — Lord Shiva alone — there is a representation of his nirguna aspect — that is Shiva Linga.
Why in the case of Shiva alone?
Because Shivopasana is primarily for moksha.
He is the annihilator — annihilator of all bondages, all ignorance.
In the case of other devatas, idols are generally worshipped for worldly desires, and the sadhakas get into dhyana and yoga and similar methods to achieve moksha.
In the case of Mahadeva, even for moksha, Shiva Linga can be worshipped.
Worship of Shiva Linga itself can confer moksha.
Since the original purpose of Shivopasana is the attainment of moksha, the sadhakas don’t have to change their practice.
They can continue and reach the destination by doing just what they started off with.
But then, Lord Shiva is the chief of physicians, he eradicates evil, he eradicates troubles, he gives in abundance.
Can all these be achieved through worship of Shiva Linga?
Should we worship his idol for all these which are worldly needs?
Not required. Because nirguna also contains saguna.
Saguna is only a derivative of nirguna.
Shiva Linga worship is quite capable of giving all these to you.
If your desires are only worldly – then you can worship the Lord’s idol in the saguna aspect.
If you have both worldly desires and desire for moksha – then you should worship Shiva Linga.
If your desire is only for moksha, then also you should worship Shiva Linga.
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