Phallus, Phalli: 1 definition

Introduction:

Phallus means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)

The Phallus is denoted in by the Sanskrit term Liṅga and is associated with Śiva, whose iconography has been described in the third part of the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa shows the reference of five faces of Lord Śiva. A point to be noted here is that liṅga or phallus is worshiped as an icon of Lord Śiva. According to the Śivapurāṇa, the phallus is the emblem i.e. the sign of union of Lord Śiva and Śakti, for whom it is the symbol. Sometimes the liṅga is seen to be associated with faces and in the five faced phallus, the face of Īśāṇa should be on the top and the other four faces should face four direction viz. east, south, west and north respectively. In the Budhanilakantha Temple of Nepal, a phallus with five faces is seen to be worshiped.

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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