Exposing lies of Hinduphobes on Shiva Linga
Introduction
Non Hindus usually keep quoting translation of “JL Shashtri” of Shiv Puran to show that Hindus worship male organ. JL Shashtri translated “Linga” as penis which is clearly false. In this chapter I will prove true nature of Shivlinga.
True nature of Shivlinga
"Sanskrit Verse" न तस्य कश्चित् पतिरिति लोके न चैषिता नैव च तस्य लिङ्गम् । स कारणं करणाधिपाधिपो न चास्य कश्चिजनिता न चाधिप: ॥ ९ ॥
and there is no ruler, तस्य of Him लिङ्गम् च न एव not even a sign by which he can be inferred चैषिता there is,
The term linga means “mark” or “symbol” which represents the nishkala (formless) and nirguna aspect of lord shiva who is the supreme reality. shvetasvatara upanishad chapter 6 mantra 9 uses the term linga by denoting it to be a sign or symbol.
Patanjali Yoga Sutra References
Chapter 1 Verse 45
"I.45 सूक्ष्मविषयत्वं चालिङ्गपर्यवसानम्" sūkṣma = subtle viṣayatvam = the thing itself, thus-ness of an object ca = and aliṅga = without form paryavasānam = ending, terminating
Rishi Patanjali in his Patanjali Yoga Sutra chapter 1 Verse 45 uses the term linga as form.
Chapter 2 Verse 19
"II.19 विशेषाविशेषलिङ्गमात्रालिङ्गानि गुणपर्वाणि" viśeṣa = difference, distinction; distinct aviśeṣa = indistinct liṅga = mark, characteristic mātra = only aliṅgāni = undifferentiated, without marks guṇa = fundamental qualities of nature parvāṇi = level, state
Rishi Patanjali also states linga as mark in Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.19
Vaisheshik Sutra References
"तस्य कार्यं लिङ्गम् ॥ ४ । १ । २ ॥" भेद Tasya, its. Of the ultimate atom. कार्यं Kāryam, effect. लिंग Liṅgam, mark.—2.
The effect is the mark (of the existence) of the ultimate atom.—2.
"विशषी कक्कुत्रानू प्राप्तैवेऽअज्ज: सानक्षावनिति गात्रे इत्यं लिङ्गम् ॥ २ । १ । २८ ॥" 3. That it has horns, a hump, a tail hairy at the extremity, and a dewlap—such is the admitted mark of being a cow.—26.
Vaisheshik Sutra Chapter 4 adhnika 1 sutra 2 also states linga as mark, also Vaisheshik Sutra 2 chapter 1 clearly states Linga as mark or symbol
Linga Purana Chapter 17 Verse 4
Brahma Dev explains about Linga
"Sanskrit Verse" किं लिङ्गं कस्तथा लिंगी सोऽप्याह च पितामह: ।
पितामह उवाच प्रधानं लिङ्गमाख्यातं लिंगी च परमेश्वर: ॥ ५
meaning - devas asked-what is linga? how should lord shiva be worshipped?
brahma said - pradhana (tatva) is linga that is the effect and parameshwara (lord shiva) is the lingi
from all this references from darshan shashtra, upanishad and linga puran one can understand that linga represent the sagun nirakar aspect of lord shiva and is not any male private part.