As I Know: The Lord of the Mountains – Shiv Purana: 155

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Nothing is outside linga, the cause of universe…an image of lord. Linga is the cosmos, the entire universe for the created beings…everything exists in it and that does not exist in linga does not exist outside. It is the origin of whatever exists or is imaginary, and it creates, preserves and destroys, a devotee ought to understand

He tells, “The fruit of karma, a man can obtain if he properly installs linga or the bodily image of Shiva with purity of mind. One should know that the world is in the form of linga, the phallic and therefore, everything situated in linga is the world and the whole cosmos and one finds nothing else outside. Whatever is out or not situated in the image of Shiva, is unreal.” Upamanyu continues to explain and eulogise the glory of Shiva.

“Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, and gods of heavens and deities know the magnificence and glory of linga and therefore, they install linga, the image of Shiva and derive energy and grandeur. Linga or bodily image of Shiva if inaugurated correctly is good for the wellbeing of man.” He learns.

Upamanyu after a little pause speaks about the glory of linga, a source and embodiment of all attributes, “Everything originates from it, merges and dissolves in it. It is without the beginning or an end and it is the cause of the universe. It is maya – delusory potency, the movable and the motionless. All animate and inanimate created beings, the gods, the celestial beings, the bhutas and others take birth out of linga, the source and foundation of creation, preservation and destruction a man ought to know.”

“However, it also obeys the directions of Shiva. Know that the goddess is the basis of linga, Shiva. If one worships linga, one worships Shiva and Parvati. Vishnu, at the time of dissolution of the universe is in deep sleep and Brahma the grandfather of creation and the three worlds under the delusory powers of Shiva asks Vishnu about linga. What is it? Where it exists? What is linga?” Vishnu, who thinks he is the lord of creation is under the influence of rajasic qualities at that time, tells Brahma that he is the creator, the preserver and the destroyer.”

“A dispute ensues because rajasic qualities rule psyche of Vishnu and Brahma and at that time, linga, the image and figure of Shiva…appears illuminated and dazzling, an incredible, unfathomable and unparalleled phenomenon carrying infinite features – it has no beginning or end…however, they want to know but fail.”

Monk deliberates for a while and then resumes the legendary tale.

“Brahma as swan flies up and up and Vishnu, the soul of the universe as Boar goes down and down to understand the strange occurrence but fails to find the roots of linga and therefore, the search continues for one thousand years. The great lords fail to find the truth and so return disillusioned and baffled. Delusion of Vishnu and Brahma, who are under the influence of maya of Shiva whom rajasic and tamasic qualities govern at that moment, fail to distinguish the infinite delusory strength of the great lord, who appears as linga before them.”

“Notwithstanding strenuous efforts up and down the universe, they think it better to come back but are disheartened and then, the lord, the linga reveals the truth.” Upamanyu vividly narrates the delusory powers of the lord and makes everything clear that looks infinite mystery of creation.

He tells them about the single syllable word Om…and so the entire creation with all the knowledge and wisdom. He defines linga and its infinite power when he explains the essence of Aum attached to different parts of linga – letter ‘a’ symbolises the glowing south of linga, ‘u’ the north of it and ‘ma’ – the middle.

Thus, the three letters rather four briefly propound the fundamental nature, and again the letters symbolise – ‘a’ as Brahma, ‘u’ as Vishnu and ‘ma’ as Shiva he tells. Thereafter, he tells how the life-breath Pranava changes into the Vedas and so he talks about the origin of the Vedas and thus, the most complex and yet graphically vivid process of creation as Upamanyu explicates, is obvious.

Later, the sage simplifies it and tells that Shiva is Pranava and Pranava is Shiva and so the functions of creation, maintenance and annihilation become clear as he narrates the origin. However, the sage tells that Shiva is the origin and cause of three lords and speaks how Shiva dispels disillusionment and world-weariness that create hostility between Brahma and Vishnu as linga turns out a symbol and treasure of all knowledge, wisdom and functions of universe, for divine wisdom appears inscribed on linga.

Linga constitutes pasu and pasa even as the three qualities of sattva, rajas and tamas become understandable. He continues to speak of glory and splendor of the great lord in different symbols and images. God’s grace is the cause of creation and wellbeing, preservation and destruction he explains further.

The delusory powers of lord create doubts in the minds of Brahma and Vishnu, who after learning much about the lord, still harbour suspicions and doubts. However, in inner conflicts and doubts, they witness magnificence and enlightenment of matchless and astounding dimensions. If they speak of ignorance about the infinite glory, wisdom, insight and knowledge of the lord, who is the beginning, the foundation and end of every created being now in total humility, they want to pay obeisance at the feet of lord.

At the same time, the great lords Brahma and Vishnu express regrets that they tried ineffective rather unwise and presumptuous efforts to know the dimensions of the incomprehensible infinite and eternal, who is sans beginning with no end and who is the source of all knowledge and wisdom in totality. Nothing exists without him. He is in everything, and everything is in him. He creates everything and at the time of dissolution, dissolves everything in him. They eulogise and praise eloquently, pay tributes and bow heads before the great lord Shiva and seek blessings in extreme modesty. It is the absence of ego and self-image.

Shiva smiles and blesses the great lords and accepts that it is the influence of maya – the delusory powers and therefore, doubts and uncertainty grows in the minds of lords. Now, that all doubts stand dispelled, they forget itchy, awkward and inimical thoughts, and therefore, with the blessing of lord begin to function as usual with the powers derived from the great lord. They appear and function as three but in truth, they are One.

Now, ignorance and delusion stand dispelled. Thereafter, Shiva gives infinite wisdom and knowledge with all the powers as usual and blesses. Brahma and Vishnu nurse no conflict or enmity and so begin to perform usual divine duties for the well-being of created beings – of the three worlds and heavens. He also gives the five – syllable mantra, the fundamental source of lord’s grace, and blesses the lords with the supreme knowledge of the infinite.

They stand supremely blessed as infinite joy and divine pleasure enriched Supreme lord Brahma and the lord of gods Vishnu. At this moment, the blissful linga suddenly disappears and so they deliberate deeply on the unfathomable powers of Shiva, and feel liberated from pain, anxieties and ignorance. From that holy occasion onward, they continue to worship linga – the great lord on the directions of lord Shiva.

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