Re: Lingam Form of Lord Shiva
Namaste EM Ji and Aanandinii Ji,
You are right.There are differences in the way Shaivas and others understand the Avatara concept.
(If Shaivas use such the word 'Avatara/incarnation' it may be because this word is somewhat easily understood than other unfamiliar terms).
I am quoting below what I posted about Avatars in Shaivism in an earlier post.
Avatara i.e. Lord Shiva taking a human form/birth is not found in Shaiva traditions.However,Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati assume many forms(sometimes human like) for the benefit of world through a phenomena called as Lila or divine play
One best example is Mother Parvati.
King Himavan and Mena Devi did tapas and wished that Para Shakti be born as their daughther.The Shakti of Lord Shiva appeared before them in Vishwarupa(great cosmic form encompassing everything & appears to have innumerable forms,faces,hands etc.).They requested that great Tejas to take the form of a lady and She became Hymavathi(daughter of Himavan) or Parvati(daugther of Himalaya Parvata Raja) with a humanlike form.Though there is no birth in the human way,she projected Herself as a person.This concept in Saivism is similar to Avatara theory found in other systems.The Saiva scriptures say that the purpose of such leelas is Loka hitam(for doing good to the world).
He dances in the golden hall of Chidambaram, Let us worship His rosy anklet girt Feet.
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