The Evolution of a Harappan Icon

Among the several domed conical stones found along the Indus Valley, two objects stand out—a small tapered cone seated on a round base and a dome-shaped cylinder on a flat base with a protrusion on one side.

- NANDITHA KRISHNA

Among the several domed conical stones found along the Indus Valley, two objects stand out—a small tapered cone seated on a round base and a dome-shaped cylinder on a flat base with a protrusion on one side. From being a small aniconic object that transcended popular representations of the divine as a superman, the lingam's depiction has grown—but not necessarily as a phallic object, as described by western Indologists. It's a Harappan legacy bequeathed to the Indian civilization.

Lingam means sign or symbol—an abstract representation. It's fitted into the disc-shaped base called yoni, which means source or womb. Together, the lingam and yoni represent the eternal process of creation and resurgence.

The Rig Veda does not mention the lingam or even Shiva. The Shvetashvatara Upanishad calls the lingam a symbol that establishes the existence of Brahman, one beyond any characteristics. The Linga Purana adds, "Shiva is without a symbol, without colour, taste or smell, beyond word or touch, without quality—motionless and changeless."

As for the legend of their providence, there are four kinds: swayambhu (self-manifested), deivika (created by gods), arsha (created by rishis) and maanusha (man-made). Among the swayambhu lingams are the frozen ice lingam at Amarnath and the naturally-formed rock lingam at Kedarnath.