Shri Sanatanam: Lord Shiva - A basic introduction (Part 2)

Are Shiv/ parambhrahman/ shivling and Shankar different? If yes, why rudrashtkam, lingashtakam, vedsar shivastotram, shivashtkam, nataraj Stuti etc describes both and if no, then why parambhrahman is also described in prayers toward Narayan too ?

See the names you have listed above are of Lord Shiva only. Shiva, Shivalinga, Shankar etc. According to Shaiva philosophies, Shankar is the saakar form of Lord Shiva only. As we know that the supreme reality is both Saakaar and Niraakaar. Lord Shiva worship is basically Niraakar only in the way of Shivalinga. His murti swaroop is not that famous except the Natraja swaroop. Because Shankar and Parvati i.e. Shiva Shakti cannot be worshiped as one in the form of Shankar, but can be combinely worshiped as Shivalinga as they are always together and one. And yes they are one as it and it is Para-Brahman that is something above the reality too. In Vigyaan Bhairava Tantra which is among one of the Shaiva Agamas, Bhagwati Devi Maa Parvati asks Lord Shiva that which of your form is real and true? Shiva in that answer says that he is not actually ravah (sound energy or basically energy needing medium for passing. Shiva is actually Bhairava i.e. something which don't needs medium also for passing.

Whenever you see Shankar, he is the highest imagination or highest occurring existence you can think but when you lost in that thinking and no one except Shankar is only revolving in your mind, That’s Shiva. Because the name of Shankar got its Vash (control) on you and has controlled your senses, destructing first all the negativity and ignorance from you. Now that Shiva is now Maheshwara !

The personality remains the same, its Shiva/ Shankar/Maheshwara only but as per his functions, names are changing. Every name of him has a divine function and is resposible for different functions in you and everyone. Everything is controlled by Shankar only.

Now coming to Shivalingam, its called the Vishwaroopam of Shiva. In Linga roop we worship 2 deities at the same time, Shiva and Shakti. The 2 parts of the Shiva lingam are called Para Shiva and Para Shakti. The word Para means who is above. Basically the Shiva lingam says that Lord Shiva and Shakti are above time and dimensions. Its saakar or shaped figure is Ardhanarishawara.

The worship of Linga was brought to us by the Maharishis who are also called as Siddhas in Shaivism. If you observe the shape of Shiva lingam is like the shape of a the Flame of a candle or deepak. This was because Lord Shiva was worshipped in Nirguna form but an idol was needed by the Siddhas to meditate and concentrate on a particular idol. Here they also needed to the Parmeshwari Shakti at the same time. So Lord Shiva Shakti's Ardhanarishwar form is worshipped in Shiva Linga. So basically Shiva Linga is a symbol of Ardhanarishwar form. In Linga Purana it is mentioned that Sanskrit word Linga means Special Representative Symbol.

Now coming to Shiva doing prayers or describing prayers to Shri Hari. Its not a new thing. Shri Hari Vishnu is also considered as Shiva Tattwa means Shiva so Hari is indifferent from Shiva. Hari praying to Hara or Hara praying to Hari is not a thing which is confusing but to be seen as something which is very auspicious. Even if Hari is praying to Hara, he is praying to himself only and even if Hara praying to Hari, he is praying to himself only. Views of other Philosophies like Dwaita and Vishista- Adwaita may differ on it but on the basis of Adwaita Vedanta and Suddha Adwaita and even Bheda-Abheda i.e. Shiva-Adwaita, its true that both are one only. The are one as HariHara just like Ardhanarishwara.