In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Sthāvaraliṅga (स्थावरलिङ्ग) refers to one of two main classes of liṅgas: a symbol used in the worship of Śiva. It is also known as acalaliṅga or sthiraliṅga. This class represents the immovable liṅgas, as opposed to calaliṅga, which represents the movable. The term is used thoughout Śaiva literature.

According to the Suprabhedāgama, the acalaliṅgas are classified as follows:

1. Svāyambhuvaliṅga,
2. Pūrvaliṅga (or, Purāṇaliṅga),
3. Daivataliṅga,
4. Gāṇapatyaliṅga,
5. Asuraliṅga,
6. Suraliṅga,
7. Āṛṣaliṅga,
8. Rākṣasaliṅga,
9. Mānuṣaliṅga,
10. Bāṇaliṅga.

according to the Mānasāra:

1. Śaivaliṅga,
2. Pāśupataliṅga,
3. Kālāmukhaliṅga,
4. Vāmaliṅga,
5. Bhairavaliṅga,
6. (unkonwn variety).

According to the Makuṭāgama:

1. Daivikaliṅga,
2. Ārṣakaliṅga,
3. Gāṇapaliṅga,
4. Mānuṣaliṅga.

According to the Kāmikāgama:

1. Svāyambhuvaliṅga,
2. Daivikaliṅga,
3. Ārṣakaliṅga,
4. Gāṇapatyaliṅga,
5. Mānuṣaliṅga,
6. Bāṇaliṅga.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Sthāvaraliṅga (स्थावरलिङ्ग) or Acaraliṅga refers to “stationary liṅgas”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 1.19.—“all mobile phallic emblems (cara-liṅga) shall be a single whole. Stationary phallic images (acara-liṅga) shall be made of two pieces. This is the rule about broken and unbroken phallic images both immobile or mobile. The pedestal is the great Māyā; the phallic image is lord Śiva. Hence in immobile image two-piece construction is recommended. This has been mentioned by those who know the principles of Śaiva cult that a stationary phallic image (sthāvara-liṅga) shall be made of two pieces”.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (architecture)

Sthāvaraliṅga (स्थावरलिङ्ग) or simply Sthāvara refers to “fixed images”, according to verse 4.243 of the Mohacūrottara (Mohacūḍottara), a Śaiva text from the 10th century.—Accordingly, “The reward that a wise man gains from establishing a mobile image [i.e. an ascetic] in a maṭha is the same as the reward that he gains from establishing a fixed image (sthāvaraliṅga—sthāvaraṃ liṅgaṃ) in a temple”.

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

India history and geography

Source: Google Books: Inscriptions of Ancient Nepal: Inscriptions

Sthāvaraliṅga (स्थावरलिङ्ग).—The 9 sthāvara-liṅgas are:

1. Swayambhu,
2. Pūrva,
3. Daivata,
4. Gāṇapatya,
5. Asura,
6. Sura,
7. Rākṣasa,
8. Mānuṣa,
9. and Vana.

This is classification of Suprabhedāgama.

Another text called Manasara counts amongst achala-lingas:—

1. Saiva,
2. Pasupata,
3. Kalamukha,
4. Varna
5. and Bhairava.

As we have already observed the Swayambhu is most highly respected linga (uttama-uttama) followed by Daivata and Ganapata less respectful (uttama-madhyama) ard others come third in the hierarchy (madhya-madhama). The Swayambhu lingas 68 in number are scattered all over India according to the commentary on Jirṇodhára-darśana by Nigamajnānadeva. But no liṅga belonging to Nepal is available in this commentary.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Sthāvaraliṃga (ಸ್ಥಾವರಲಿಂಗ):—[noun] = ಸ್ಥಾವರ [sthavara]2 - 4.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Sthavara, Linga.

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Full-text (+3): Sthavara, Sthiralinga, Acalalinga, Daivatalinga, Asuralinga, Suralinga, Kalamukhalinga, Vamalinga, Bhairavalinga, Ganapalinga, Rakshasalinga, Shaivalinga, Pashupatalinga, Svayambhuvalinga, Ganapatyalinga, Arshalinga, Daivikalinga, Puranalinga, Purvalinga, Arshakalinga.

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Search found 4 books and stories containing Sthavaralinga, Sthavara-linga, Sthāvara-liṅga, Sthāvara-linga, Sthavaralimga, Sthāvaraliṃga, Sthāvaraliṅga, Sthāvaralinga; (plurals include: Sthavaralingas, lingas, liṅgas, Sthavaralimgas, Sthāvaraliṃgas, Sthāvaraliṅgas, Sthāvaralingas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Religion and Philosophy of Tevaram (Thevaram) (by M. A. Dorai Rangaswamy)

Chapter 4.5 - Puranic personalities (in the Tevaram) < [Volume 2 - Nampi Arurar and Mythology]

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Prayogamanjari and Saivagamanibandhana (Study) (by R. Suthashi)

Description of Svayambhulinga < [Chapter 3 - Shaiva iconography in Saivagamanibandhana]

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Srikara Bhashya (commentary) (by C. Hayavadana Rao)

Part 24.3 - Meaning of Atha—Introduction

Part 24.4 - Atha means After Diksha

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A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 5 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)

Part 1 - History and Literature of Vīra-śaivism < [Chapter XXXV - Vīra-śaivism]

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