Rare Indian Rudraksha Shiva-Lingam

This very rare Shiva-lingam of silver is set with a single rudraksha seed serving as a lingam mounted with a small gold crown, and with a protective cobra’s hooded head rearing over the ensemble its long body being wrapped around the mount for the rudraksha. 

The rarity comes from the use of the rudraksha seed as a lingam.

The front of the cobra’s hood is engraved with eyes and other markings.

Such a small item of personal veneration and worship might have been used for travel, and certainly for a personal shrine.

The rudraksha seed is the stone of the fruit of the utrasam tree and is believed to be sacred to Shiva. The name ‘rudraksha’ means ‘eye of Rudra’, an ancient name for Shiva. The seeds are made into beads and worn as rosaries, necklaces and bracelets by Shaivite devotees and priests. Many devotees never remove such items, considering them among their most sacred possessions.

The form of the lingam is based on the male genitalia and is an abstract representation of the Hindu deity, Shiva. Lingams are used in worship in temples and smaller shrines, including household shrines. The lingam is seen as a symbol of the energy and potential of Shiva himself.

The lingam is often represented rising from the yoni, the female symbol, the form of which is based on the female genitalia.

The physical union of a lingam with a yoni represents the indivisible two-in-oneness of male and female. Neither representations have any overt sexual meaning however. Indeed, the two are more symbols of power, fertility and prosperity than anything that is sexually charged.

The Shiva-lingam here is in excellent condition.