– Kshameshwara, the Lord of Forgiveness, Established December 2020 at Kailash Ashram –
Kailash Ashram was graced with a profound honor at the beginning of December 2020. Thanks to a very generous donor and some hard work by members of the satsang, a large shiva lingam was installed in the forest which surrounds the ashram.
Found only in the Narmada River in India, Lingams (commonly known as Shiva Lingams also referred to as Banalinga) are a variety of cryptocrystalline quartz that is oval in shape, containing brown, tan, and reddish hues. Lingam stones are gathered once a year in a special ceremony and then polished by hand. In Sanskrit, Shiva Lingam means a “sign,” “mark,”or “symbol,” and these stones are used in ritual worship.
The Lingam is reputedly one of the oldest religious symbols on planet Earth. Shiva Lingams are said to symbolize the infinite, divine creative manifestation, and they are also known to balance masculine and feminine energy. The markings, known as the yoni, symbolize the feminine energy, the seed which is fertilized to manifest the creative power in the cosmic dance of creation. Geologists theorize that the iron oxide that composes the yoni was impregnated in the Narmada river bed millions of years ago by a meteorite!
Shiva Lingam’s oval shape makes it a powerful energy generator for positive, healing vibrations and a unique focus for meditation. The Shiva Lingam is a stone of transcendent insight, allowing one to recognize and let go of that which no longer serves. This particular Shiva Lingam has been named and worshipped here as Kshameshwara, the Lord of Forgiveness. Every Monday a puja is conducted. May it be a blessing for universal peace and healing for all beings. Om kshameshwaraya namah. Om namah shivaya. Om shanti shanti shanti.
