ELEPHANTA CAVES PART 10 - SHIVA as LINGA – The SAGUNA form of NIRGUNA

ELEPHANTA CAVES PART 10 - SHIVA as LINGA – The SAGUNA form of NIRGUNA - GHARAPURI

GHARAPURI - ELEPHANTA CAVES 10

SHIVA as LINGA – The SAGUNA form of NIRGUNA.

Symbolic form of SHIVA – SHAKTHI.

DWARAPALAKAS to the shirne of MAHADEVA

Saguna means “with attributes.” Nirguna means “without attributes.” “Saguna” describes a God with (tangible) attributes. The term “Nirguna Brahman” describes a God with no (tangible) attributes (source).

The most popular form of worshipping Lord Shiva in Hinduism is in the LINGA form. It is known as SHIVALING or SHIVALINGA. The LINGA symbol is an attempt to give form to the formless, referred as Supreme Being or Brahman in Hindu religion. When a LINGA is installed on a YONI, it represents the union of SHIVA and SHAKTI – the beginning of creation. It is found at the centre of the temple, often resting in the middle of a rimmed, disc-shaped YONI.

SHIVA as a LINGAM

In the main cave, in the right middle six steps lead to a raised platform of 3.5 feet high. A cubicle Garbha Griha devoid of any art work inside and in the middle of it sits a SHIVA LINGA the representation of MAHADEV. The pedestal, PINDI or AVUDAYAR of the SHIVALINGA is missing and the base is cemented in a very oddly manner on restoration at a size of 9.9 feet square, with a 3 feet height. The SHIVA LINGA is about 2 feet 11and ½ inches with its base being square and its top being circular and placed on the pedestal 3 feet from the ground and does not seem to be having a PINDIKA. There are other LINGA’s in the cave temple which are without the PINDIKA and hence my surmise. On the western side, descending the steps into the courtyard is a circular platform, decayed, which would have been the base of the Vahana of Lord SHIVA – NANDIN (now lost).

This Garbha Griha has four doors in all the four principal directions. All the four doors are empanelled with DWARA PALAKAS on both sides. The Dwara Palaka’s total eight in numbers differ in height from14.10 feet to 15.2 feet in height and accompanied by a dwarf. They are well adorned with crowns and necklaces.All the door keepers are crowned in a beautiful head gear made out of twisted matted hair locks in the form of a tall cap known as JATAMUKUTA.

DWARAPALAKA'S with dwarfs, eight of them

One out of the eight Dwarapalakas in the South-easterly door corner seems to be the most preserved till date, containing a large human skull drawn on its head gear and the parted lips showing teeth. A ball like object in its right hand up –turned near its navel and its left hand resting on the knot of the robe on the left thigh.

SHIVA LINGAM in the main cave

The four doors signify the entrance for different Varna’s, hence, proving a point that all Varna’s were free to enter & pray in the temple.

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