The Jyotir
Lingam
Once Brahma and Visnu were arguing about who was the most powerful Deva (god). Brahma, the great architect, thought he was best as he created the whole of creation. But Visnu argued he wouldn’t be able to keep it all running if it wasn’t for Him the sustainer, and everyone recognized this worshiping Visnu in his many forms. Brahma argued back, that love of materialism was love of Him and therefore…..
As they argued a huge pillar of light appeared, infinite and bright it stretched from one side of forever to the other. Awed they wanted to know of where and who this came from. Brahma went upward to search for and end or beginning, Visnu went down to search the cause. Aeons passed, and no end of this was found. In surrender they both prostrated before the blazing pillar of Light, and Shiva gave his blessing, acknowledging he was the infinite Jyoti (light).
Shamans as Carlos Castenada have spoken of the soul as an infinite column of light stretching through the universe. Moses saw the burning pillar in his vision of god on Mt. Sianai . The Jyotir Lingam represents the atman, the soul, which is seen as light, infinite and eternal light. It is the light of knowledge, the light of illumination, the light of Truth, Aum Tat Sat.
The Lingam is the energy of creation, it is represented by a round stone (symbolic of the dome of the sky) and sitting in the yoni (representing the earth). Sometimes it has a more phallic presentation symbolic of the interwoven Divine male and female energies. There are twelve Jyotir Lingam temples found throughout India , where there are naturally occurring Lingas. These are places where the Linga was found and a temple was built around it. The found Linga already had the power of Shiva within it, it did not need pranipratishta to awaken it or instill Shiva’s energy into it. The jyotir Lingam represents the atman.
Tithi
A tithi is a lunar day. There are 15 tithis in the waxing cycle of the moon (shukla paksha), and there are 15 tithis in the waning cycle of the Moon ( Krishna paksha). The tithi is based on a relationship between the Sun and the Moon. The first tithi is 12 degrees of the Moon away from the Sun after the new Moon (Amavasya) or full Moon (Purnima). The second tithi is the next 12 degrees of the Moon away from the Sun, 12 to 24 degrees. A particular day is ruled by the tithi at sunrise, but the tithi can change anytime of the day or night as it is not based on the solar day. Each tithi has a name, a ruling planet, and can be used in muhurta (picking a proper time).
The Moon is the mother and the Sun is the father. On the material plane we can see from the tithi what was in the mind (manas) of the mother and father at the time of conception. What is in the mind of the parents at conception is very important in the life of the child. On a spiritual plane we can see what was in the mind (Mahat) of the Divine Mother and Father, or what is the purpose of our creation.
The tithi is made of twelve degrees. Each degree is made into one of the signs of the zodiac. The first degree of the tithi is Aries, the second degree is Taurus, the third degree is Gemini, and so on. Then the Moon is examined to see which sign within the tithi it is placed. Some computer programs give percentages of the tithi passed at the time of birth. This chart will help one find the sign easily, by seeing the percent of the tithi passed through at the time of birth.
| Aries | 0-8.333 % | Libra | 49.999-58.333 |
| Taurus | 8.333-16.666 | Scorpio | 58.333-66.666 |
| Gemini | 16.666-24.999 | Sagittarius | 66.666-74.999 |
| Cancer | 24.999-33.333 | Capricorn | 74.999-83.333 |
| Leo | 33.333-41.666 | Aquarius | 83.333-91.666 |
| Virgo | 41.666-49.999 | Pisces | 91.666-100 % |
The Jyotirlingam
There is a Jyotir Lingam associated with each sign of the zodiac. The cause of one’s creation, the purpose of ones being is seen from the Linga that is associated with the sign. By meditation on this individual lingam, using its special mantra, and by pilgrimage to this holy site, one comes closer to an understanding of the purpose of the atman’s creation. It will help reveal one’s purpose of creation.
| Aries | Rameshwar | Libra | Mahakala |
| Taurus | Somanath | Scorpio | Vaidyanath |
| Gemini | Nageshwar | Sagittarius | Vishwanath |
| Cancer | Omkareshwar | Capricorn | Bhimashankara |
| Leo | Dhusaneshwar | Aquarius | Kedarnath |
| Virgo | Malikarjuna | Pisces | Triambakeshwar |
As the Jyotir Lingam is the form of Lord Shiva as light, it is important for Jyotishis to worship the Jyotir Lingam. To get in touch with the Jyotir Vidya and awaken the light of the Atman, to help make the inner light shine.
Rameshwar is named after Lord Ram, who is the incarnation of Visnu who represents perfect Dharma. Aries is the Sun’s exaltation, this is where the Sun has the most vitality, vigor and ability to express its energy. This is a place of power and control, a place of leadership, kings and generals. The Sun significates our dharma, it is concerned with righteousness, justice and truth. The Mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya, Namo Rameshwaraya.
Somanath is the Moon’s exaltation. It is the place of abundance and fulfillment. It is the place of Rasa, the nectar, good taste. Also health, the strength of Ojas, the immune system. The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Somanathaya.
Nageshwar is named after the Snake lord. According to Jaimini it is the exaltation place of Rahu. It has the power to reach the masses, the power to manipulate communication. The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Nagesheshwaraya.
Omkareshwar is named after omkar (the sound of Aum). Patanjali says, “ Om is the word denoting God (Ishwara) 2:27. Constant repetition of Om and meditation on its meaning [is surrender to God] 2:28. From that practice, the consciousness turns inwards and obstacles are overcome 2:29.” Omkareshwar is the jyotir lingam which represents the Lord in the form of omkar. Sometimes Aum is connected with Siva as it is the primal sound of which all others arise. Sometimes it is connected with Ganesh as it comes before all other words in prayer. Sometimes it is used as a transcendental word for denoting the divine, or the primal and vibration of the universe. Cancer is Jupiter’s exaltation and thereby is the strength and blessings of the Guru. It is the place of the highest use of the Dhi shakti, the power of intelligence. The mantra is Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Omkareshwaraya.
Omkareshwar is found in the state of Madya Pradesh. It can be reached either from Delhi or Bombay , first taking a train to Bobal and then a bus ride to Omkareshwar. It is an island situated in the Narmada river, where the popular naturally formed lingas are found and sold throughout the world. The island contains many modern and ancient temples and shrines with Shiva Lingas. The Jyotir Linga is found when one first enters the island. Also worth visiting on the top of the island is a six foot high large onyx lingam, and on the far side of the island is an old debilitated Surya temple.
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Dhusaneshwar is the Lord of Tapasvi who lives in the jungles or remote areas. It has the power to forgive you of earlier sins. Dhusaneshwar vowed to forgive everyone. The mantra is Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Dhusaneshwaraya.
Malikarjuna is the greatest bhakta. It is the exaltation of Mercury. The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Malikarjunaya.
Mahakala is Shiva as great Time. It is the exaltation place of Saturn as the governor of time. Saturn is the son of Chaya, the shadowy one, who has all the curses. Jyotishis go to this Lingam to get the knowledge of time, Varahamahira used to worship at this Lingam. A watch is the yantra of Mahakala, and therefore should not be worn on the right hand, the right hand belongs to Jupiter, the left hand belongs to Venus. The mantra is Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Kaleshwaraya.
Mahakala is in Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Vaidyanth is Shiva as the divine physician. Vaidya is the Sanskrit word for doctor which literally means one who has the knowledge, and nath means lord. From the Vedas, Rudra was called the first physician, Shiva is the modern day form of Rudra. Vaidyanath has an eight house connection being associated with Scorpio the natural ruler of the eighth house. It is healing that has to do with holistic modalities working on the spiritual, and psychological as well as physical level of healing. The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Vaidyanathaya.
Vaidyanath is located near Bodhagaya in Northern India .
Vishwanath is the lord of all gods. According to Jaimini, Sagittarius is the exaltation of Ketu. It is a place of spiritual liberation. Ashes are taken to Kasi Vishwanath to get liberation. The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Vishwanathaya.
Vishwanath is located in Varinasi, also known as Benares or its earlier name as Kasi.
Bhimashankar is Shiva as the great warrior. Capricorn is the exaltation of Mars. Shiva has always incarnated with Lord Visnu whenever He can be of service. In the Ramayana Shiva incarnated as Hanuman, the hero of the epic. In the Mahabarata, Shiva incarnated as the great warrior Bhima. The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Bhimashankaraya.
Kedarnath is located in the high Himalyayas. Aquarius is the sign of Saturn and Rahu. It is a sign of ingenuity.
Triambakeshwar is the three eyed Lord. Pisces is the exaltation place of Venus. Venus did Tapasya (hung from one leg in a tree for twenty years) to have the power to bring back to life. On a material level Venus brings us back with the sperm and ovum (shukra dhatu), love, and the sexual act. This is why the 7 th house is the house of rebirth. Spiritually, Venus brings us back again and again to get moksa (liberation). One will come with Venus uchha when ready for liberation, it is She who is exalted in the last sign of the zodiac. Bija Aum Jum Sa. The mantra associated with Triambakeshwar is the Mritanjayi mantra which cures disease and asks that one be made ready for liberation like a ripe fruit ready to fall off the vine.
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Note:
The Jyotirlinga are not a simple way to see the life purpose, the whole chart is the reason for incarnating. The Jyotir Lingams are showing a higher purpose in life beyond what we are incarnating for. We still need to see a person’s dharma, artha, kama , moksa, and everything associated with that in the chart. The Ishta guides our Atman to moksa (as it is seen from the 12th to karakamsa- jivanmuktamsa). The Ishta is to be worshiped everyday (esp. in the mornings), no matter the rupa it is connected to Visnu. The Jyotirlinga is the light inside us always, and we can be aware of it always, it is connected to the AK, the light that illuminates the individual atma. It is connected to Shiva. External worship of the Jyotirlinga for the average person can be done on Mondays.
Note the peculiarities of the sign of the zodiac representing the Tithi in an individual rasi chart. See the combinations of planets with that sign, the house that it occupies with reference to the lagna, and the yogas involving it. Notice the nature of benefics or malefics, their Chara karakatwa, as well as other factors influencing that sign. The sign indicated by the Tithi is very specific to the divine’s reason for the individual’s incarnation.
The purpose of creation is seen from the tithi. The jyotir Lingam that physically created you is seen from the lingam of the Sun sign. If the two signs are the same, then this will be a very powerful focus in the life of an individual. One can also see the relation between the Ishta Deva sign and the Jyotir Lingam sign, there will be some link to be spiritual. “Sun is Shiva in all signs,” the Sun as the Shivalingam. Sun is karaka for the first house, so for health purposes use the Jyotir lingam of the Sun.