The Sanskrit word Liṅga means: • sign • mark • symbol • indication A linga is not the Absolute itself. It is that which points toward the Absolute. Just as smoke indicates fire… The linga indicates Brahman. Thus Shiva Linga means: The symbol through which Shiva is realized. Shiva as Formless Reality Shiva is not merely a deity among others. In Vedantic Shaivism, Shiva is: • Nirguna Brahman (formless Absolute) • pure consciousness • the ground of being The Linga is the simplest representation of that. Not anthropomorphic… Not limited… Not personal alone… But cosmic.