# लिंगम् (liṃgam)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/lingam

लिंगम् (liṃgam) is a Sanskrit word meaning a pillar of fire representing the origin of existence, measured by Vishnu and Brahma, the cosmic principle of individual soul or intellect leading to liberation, a sacred symbol of Shiva made of gems, crystal, stone, earth, or wood, whose worship at Benares relieves one of rebirth.

- **SLP1:** `liMgam`  **IAST:** liṃgam  **Devanagari:** लिंगम्
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingam
- **Declensions:** 72 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/lingam/declensions.md
- **Other headwords romanised the same way:** लिंगं (liṃgaṃ)

## Meanings by context

### Other (1 definition)
- 1. A pillar of fire representing the origin of existence, measured by Vishnu and Brahma. 2. The cosmic principle of individual soul or intellect leading to liberation. 3. A sacred symbol of Shiva made of gems, crystal, stone, earth, or wood, whose worship at Benares relieves one of rebirth.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > लिंगम् (liṃgam) [Printed book page 3-121 ] Liṃgam — Origin of; came out of a ball of ever-burning fire and grew and grew; Viṣṇu and Brahmā undertook to find out its beginning and the end. It was all effulgence. They found it impossible and prayed to Śiva who initiated them into māheśvaram Balam. 1 Establishment of the cult in the presence of Śiva and the sages; is Jīva, mahat; leads to kaivalya; 2 found in Godāvarī; 3 worship of at Benares relieves one of rebirth; 4 its size for installation in the palace depends on the measurement of the palace; nine varieties are distinguished. The technique of the making of a Page3-122+ 23 Linga is furnished in detail. It may be of gems, spaṭika, of stone, earth, or wood. 5 [ Footnote: 1) Br. II. 26. 21 to the end; 27. 30-101; Vā. 55. 21-61.] [ Footnote: 2) Br. IV. 3. 22, 56-9, 79.] [ Footnote: 3) M. 22. 57.] [ Footnote: 4) Ib. 154. 350; 185. 57.] [ Footnote: 5) Ib. 263. 1, 11, 25.] [ ID=11964 ]

## Sources

Definitions from The Purana Index.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

The Sanskrit Lexicon app for iPhone, iPad and Mac: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sanskrit-lexicon-dictionary/id6746787546