everything merrges (Li -yate) 'ga' means that into which everything goes (Gam-yate). The Linga is a symbol of the universe into which all particulars merge, from which all particulars emerge. The Linga is the Swa-swarupa, the real form of the Reality." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI, p. 179

Lingodbhava (Manifestation Of The Linga)

Purpose

"The Lingodbhava is an announcement of the advent of the Avatar, as the Guide and the Leader." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VI, p. 179

"The manifestation of the Linga is a part of My nature. You have to recognise in this event a glimpse of Divinity, a sign of infinite Grace." Sai Baba, SS, 3/99, Last back cover page

"Do not exaggerate the creation and manifestation of the Linga. It is only the manifestation of an atom of My majesty. In Me, who can create worlds and fill the universe, there are things more worthy of adoration - universal love, the teachings of Dharma, the revival of the Vedas, the fostering of the good, the benediction on Sadhakas." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VI, p. 180

Emergence Of Ligams From Sai's Body

"Three types of Lingams emerge. They are Bhur, Bhuvah and Suvaha. Bhur refers to the materialization (body), Bhuvah refers to vibration (Praana) and Suvaha refers to radiation (Atma). I often say, you are not one, but three: The one you think you are (physical body), the others think you arc (mental body), the one you really arc (Anna). On every Shivaratri, all the three Lingams used to emerge. Even now the other Lingams had started to emerge, but I prevented them, because there are many things to be told to you. In the future, you will be a witness to many more manifestations of Divinity. Understand that this bliss can be experienced only in the proximity of the Divine and nowhere else. Don't get deluded just because I am talking, laughing, walking and eating like you. Don't get deluded by the body feeling. All My actions are selfless. There is no trace in selfishness in Me. Have firm faith in this truth. If you have total faith, wherever you are, all your desires will be fulfilled without your asking. Only those who don't have total faith suffer; Develop self-confidence. That is the first Sadhana you have to undertake. Truly you are all fortunate. Today (15 February 1999) is Somavaar (Monday), very endearing to Soma-shekhara (Ishwara or Shiva)." Sai Baba, SS. 3/99, pp. 72 & 73

"There is a specific time for this (emergence of Lingam). It may take place at any moment between 8 and 10 in the night. It takes place at the right time irrespective of the place I am in. It is bound to take place. It is natural on Shivaratri night." Sai Baba, SS, 3/99, p. 66

 

Anda-Pinda Lingam

"The Lingam is just a sign, a sign of endeavor, a sign of success. For example, the Andapinda Lingam signifies the egg-shaped universe. You are basically Andapinda, with the outer shell of materialism and inner core of Divinity. The body is a vessel to contain the Chaitanya (effulgence of Divinity)." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. II. p. 94

Angushta-Maatram bingam

"Here is this 'Lingam'. In Vedanta, it is described as 'Angushta-maatranf (the size of the thumb.)" Sai Baba, SS, 9/91. p. 236

Atma Linga

"Contemplate on the Atma Linga, the Jyotir Linga, which this day emerges from Me. Be convinced that the Linga is in everyone of you, for it is mark of Shiva that resides in the Shava (corpse). Allow the vision of the Atma Linga to enter into your inner consciousness and elevate it into the divine heights." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. IV, p. 284

"Atma Linga, the ultimate phase is the stage of gold when names and forms of gold jewels have been subsumed." "Atma Linga is just a pot that contains sea water, immersed in the self, the same sea." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. II. p. 94

Jnana-Lingam

"The Jnana-Linga is the sign of the attainment of Jnana. When the last prestige of the delusion of "I" is wiped out, even the feeling "I know." is gone, then you are the Atma, pure and whole, entire and enduring - then your condition is best represented by the symbol of Atma-linga. Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. 2, p. 104.

"Jnana-lingam symbolizes the Jnana (wisdom/knowledge) that you are Sarvabhuta and Sarvabhuta is in you. The Jnana itself is Brahman. Jnana is not a quality of Brahman. It is Brahman itself, for Brahman has no quality." Sui Biihu, SSS. Vol. II, p. 94

Jyotir-Lingas

"The Jyotirlinga is represented as hanging in mid-air, between the pull and counter pulls of a magnet from above and magnet from below. Evidently it is of ferrous metal. Man too is like a ferrous Linga drawn upward by the craving for liberation and for merging in the Super-soul and drawn downward by craving for satisfying the senses and earning and possessing things from the nature around him." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VI, p. 181

 

Netra-Lingam

"Swami (Sai Baba HimselO went to Badri because the Netra-Lingam, which is the central source of holiness there had to be revived with spiritual efficacy. Shankaracharya brought five Lingams from Kailasha and installed one each at Dwaraka, Sringeri, Badri and Puri, and the fifth he placed in Chidambaram. Of these, the one at Badri has the Narayana-Ansham (part) and had to consecrate afresh. That was my task and these people who came with Me saw Me doing it. I had to accomplish it this year itself, for this is the 35th year, after this Avatar took birth. This is also the year when the 35th successor to Shankaracharya Pitha is at Sringeri. This year is therefore important for charging the battery of spiritual wealth, known as Badrikashrama. The Netra-lingam, laid down by Shankaracharya underneath the idol there, was taken out by Me and Abhisheka was done with Gangotri water, which I fetched by a wave of the hand. It was worshipped with golden Bilva leaves and Thumbe flowers, both created by Me on the spot, and sent back to the original place. The Lingam was placed on a golden lotus, with three layers of petals, each having two smaller layers of 16 smaller petals - the entire Kamala (lotus flower) representing the Hridaya (heart) where the Lingam has to be installed for worship." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. II, pp. 60 & 61                           "

Sada-Shiva Linga

"The Sada-Shiva represents ever auspicious Alma, which is beyond all dual aspects and concepts, immanent in all beings and everywhere. It is not negated by time. It is always beneficial or auspicious (Shivam)." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. II, p. 104

"Sada-Shiva Linga indicates the person who is ever of the Swarupa (form) of Shiva. Here and everywhere, night and day, in joy and grief, he is Shivam, happy, auspicious and graceful. Ananda (joy) is his breath, his motive force, ims demeanour, his inner and outer expression, always and forever Sada-Shiva. There is no room for controversy, intellectual rivalry and competition." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. 2. p. 95 & 96

Meaning Of Hiranyagarbha

"Man cannot exist without love. This principle of Love is Hiranyagarbha. This Hiranyagarbha is situated on the right side of the human body as the physical heart is on the left. The physical heart, on the left side, has to be left one day or the other in some circumstances or the other. Hiranyagarbha, located on the right side of the human body, is always right. It is immortal, divine, eternal and all encompassing. It is present not only in human beings, but also in birds, beasts and all other living beings. The Vedas: 'Eeshwara Sarvabhootaanaam' (God pervades the entire cosmos). Love is the reflection of Hiranyagarbha and originates from it. The three principles of reaction, resound and reflection have also originated from Hiranyagarbha." Sai Baba, SS, 3/99, p. 67

"The reference lo the Hiranyagarbha in the Hridaya is considered as a reference to the physical heart. Not at all. In the spiritual sense, the Linga is one that is golden-hued, absolutely immaculate (untainted by pollution), gloriously resplendent, containing within it the entire cosmos. There is illustration for this. You might have been to Badrinath. Kedamath or other places. Where are these places, which you have seen? The moment you recall the visits, all the places arc in your mind. If you close your eyes and think of your visit to Badrinath, the entire scene - the temple, the Himalayas, the Alakananda river and everything else - appears before your mind's eye. All that you have seen and experienced in life will appear before you in your mind, the moment you recall them. This means that the entire universe is within you." Sai Baba, SS, 9/91. p. 236

Hiranya-Garbha Lingodbhava

"Understand the true meaning and inner significance of Shivaratri. (Showing to the devotees the Hiranya-garbha Lingam, Bhagavan continued...) This is present in everybody's Hridaya (spiritual heart) and is on the right side of the body. The Principle of Hiranyagarbha permeates My whole body. It assumes a form when I will it. Whoever has seen this Lingam at the time of its emergence will not have rebirth. One should see its form as it emerges. In order to sanctify your lives, such sacred manifestations have to be shown to you every now and then. Only then you can understand the divinity in humanity. Tills Lingam will not breakeven if it is dropped from a height with force. This is Amritatwam (symbol of immortality). It is changeless. You cannot see such a manifestation anywhere else in the world. It is possible only with Divinity." Sai Bubu, SS. 3/99. p. 73

Why Is Lingodbhava On Shivaratri Day?

"To those who sometimes question why Swami manifests the Linga on Shivaratri, Swami says, "Let Me tell you, it is impossible for you to understand the attributes of the Divine and to measure its potentialities or gauge the significance of the manifestation of Divinity. He is Agamya (unreachable) and Agochara (incomprehensible, mysterious). Therefore, in order to bear witness to the fact that Divinity is amidst you, it becomes necessary to express this attribute. Or else, the atmosphere of hatred, greed, cruelty, violence and irreverence will overwhelm the good, the humble and the pious." Sai Baba. SS. 3/99, p. 81

Historical Background Of Lingodbhava

Until 1956, Shivaratri was celebrated in the Mandir Prayer Hall since the devotees were less in number. Here is a description of this divine event as it occurred in the olden days from Prof. Kasturi's book "Loving God":

"Until 1956, the Shivaratri all-night vigil and Bhajan could be held in the Prayer Hall itself. Baba sat on the silver chair placed on over a tiger skin on a low platform. When the slower hand of the clock hovered near eight, the Linga or Lingas indicated the desire to emerge and Baba showed signs of physical struggle to smoothen their way out. Year after year, 1 have stood on His left, holding silver jug of water. Seshagiri Rao stood on the right with a silver plate to receive the Linga as it fell out. At predetermined moments, proceeding through the gullet, the Linga presented itself for public view and personal use. One year eleven Lingas emerged in a row, one behind the other. Another year, there were nine. He has given Me one of the nine. It is worshipped with Mantras prescribed in the scriptures. The Linga miracle does happen annually on every Shivaratri day wherever Baba happens to be." Prof Kasturi, SS, 3/99, p.81

Discontinuance Of Lingodbhava

"As pointed out by me Vice Chancellor in his speech, I used to bring out Atmalingams from this body on occasion of Shivaratri in the earlier years. Lingodbhava (emergence of Linga) used to take place every Shivaratri. To witness this sacred event, lakhs (hundreds of thousands) would gather in a small hall. Consequently, there used to be a stampede resulting in injuries to devotees. Due to this, I discontinued Lingodbhava in public.' Sai Baba, SS, 3/99, p. 66

"For the past 20 years, devotees did not get the opportunity of witnessing Lingodbhava. The reason was that lakhs of devotees used to gather in Poomachandra Hall to witness this grand spectacle. As Poomachandra Hall cannot accommodate large gatherings, there used to be stampedes. As a result, devotees were put to a lot of inconvenience. In order to avoid this, Lingodbhava (emergence of Lingam) was discontinued." Sai Baba, SS. 3/99, p. 73

"Bhagavan Baba kept manifesting His divinity in the form of Lingodbhava year after year on every Shivaratri till 1977 when He announced that he had decided to discontinue Lingodbhava in public. Those who witnessed this Divine phenomenon again on 15 February, 1999 were really fortunate as it happened after a long gap of more than 20 years." Editor, SS, 3/99, p. 81

Benefits Of Witnessing Lingodbhava

"Those who are fortunate to witness Lingodbhava are freed from all sins. One must see how it emerges. But, some people may not be able to see this even if they are sitting close by. Witnessing the emergence of the Lingam is of utmost importance. Once it emerges, everyone will be able to see it and it has its own benefits. There are many such important aspects attached to this auspicious occasion." Sai Baba, SS. 3/99, p. 66