The sages, longing to deepen their connection with the divine, asked Sutji, “O wise one, how can we honour the sacred idols and the Shiva Linga to feel their grace in our lives?”
Sutji, his voice a gentle guide, replied, “O sages, let me share a simple path to the divine. Begin with an idol crafted from the pure clay of a riverbank or a sacred well-a small piece of the earth that holds the divine’s touch. Place it before you with love, and offer what feels natural: a flower, a flicker of light, or a quiet prayer. Whether you
honour Ganesha to clear your path, Surya to brighten your spirit, Vishnu to steady your heart, or Parvati to nurture your soul, know that each offering carries you closer to the divine harmony that flows through all.”
He continued, “But the Shiva Linga holds a special place, for it is the formless essence of Shiva, a sacred bridge to the infinite. It embodies the union of Naad-the cosmic sound-and Bindu-the point of creation-where all life begins. It’s also the perfect balance of Shiva and Shakti, the divine masculine and feminine energies that birth the universe. When you pour a simple offering over the Linga-perhaps a mix of milk and honey-or sit in its presence with a loving heart, it purifies your soul, bringing peace and a sense of wholeness. This act can ease your worries, deepen your joy, and guide you toward liberation, freeing you from the cycle of birth and death.”
Sutji then shared a timeless truth: “Worshipping the Linga as both father and mother reminds us of the divine parents who hold us in their love. But it’s not just about the act-it’s about the heart behind it. A pure mind and sincere devotion matter more than any ritual. In a sacred month like Kartik, or any day your heart feels called, your prayers carry extra light, aligning you with the rhythms of the heavens. And know this: every offering to any deity ultimately reaches Shiva, for he is the essence of all divinity, blessing us with the peace we seek.”
Sutji concluded, “This wisdom is a gift for all who hear it. By honouring the divine with a sincere heart-through a simple prayer, a kind deed, or a quiet moment with the Linga-we open ourselves to blessings of peace and freedom, in this life and beyond.”
Worship begins with the visible but leads us toward the invisible. In this chapter, Sutji reminds us that idols-especially the Shiva Linga-are not mere objects, but doorways. They allow the mind to focus, the heart to soften, and the soul to awaken. The Lingam unites the tangible with the eternal, guiding us from form to formlessness, from outer ritual to inner realisation.
As Shri Ramana Maharshi said, “The image of God serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal. When the mind is puriied, it sees no difference between form and formless.”
This teaching reminds us that the divine meets us wherever we are. A lower offered in stillness, a simple chant, or even a moment of silent longing-all become acts of worship when the heart is sincere. The true ritual is love, and the truest form is presence.
Inspired by the sacred symbolism of idols and the Shiva Linga??
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