Svāyambhuvaliṅga

By Swami Harshananda

Svāyambhuvaliṅga literally means ‘self-manifested liṅga of Śiva.'

Śivaliṅgas or emblems of god Śiva are of several types. According to one classification, by the Suprabhedāgama, three types of liñgas are considered to be uttamottama or the very best. They are:

1. Divya - divine, worshiped by gods like Brahmā and Viṣṇu
2. Purva - extremely ancient
3. Svāyambhuva - self manifested

Svāyambhuvaliṅgas are not carved or made by human beings or sages or demons but have manifested by themselves.

References

• The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

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