There is a huge controversy surrounding the movie PK on different media like newspapers, television and social media. I haven't seen the movie, so I don't really want to comment on it, however, in several reports I have read that the movie attempts to remove "empty" and "bizarre/crazy " rituals followed by Hindus. One such ritual targeted by the movie is pouring of milk over the Shiva Ling. Yes, we have been doing it from time immemorial !
You see the ancient Indians were very wise people. They had absolutely sound,logical and scientific reason behind every ritual they performed. However, with time, the rituals have remained but the science is forgotten.
The Sanskrit word ‘Lingam’ means symbol. Thus the literal meaning of Shiva Lingam is the symbol of Shiva. The Shiva Lingam represents him, the Supreme Shiva¸ who is formless.
During the Samudra manthan, Lord Shiva drank the drank the poison,due to which, his throat turned blue. Hence, the name - Neelkanth. So essentially, the foods that are not meant for human consumption (considered poison) during a certain period of time were offered to Lord Shiva.For example, according to the science of Ayurveda,every person has 3 components in him: Vata(Air), Kapha (Cough) and Pitta(Acids).All the three components are necessary for the smooth functioning of the body.But when the proportion of these components becomes abnormal,lots of diseases come and make the person suffer.During the month of Shravan,the Vata component of a person becomes high in proportion.At such times,he must avoid foods that increase the Vata component. Milk is very difficult to digest during that period. In olden days it was probably difficult to educate everybody about the usefulness of a crop or about fruit and berries which had to be avoided. Thus this ritual showed people as to which food could be consumed and which was to be avoided.
Many believe that Shiva Lings, were ancient nuclear powerhouses. The shape of a Shiva Ling is identical to modern atomic reactors. A Shiva Ling is traditionally rooted in standing water below the ground level. Over the emblem also hangs a pitcher which constantly drips water over the Shiva Ling. It is meant to cool down the Lingam, which generates a lot of energy.
It is only in a Shiv temple that the water flowing from the Lingam is not consumed as holy water. The water from a Lingam is not drunk for precisely the same reason as the water from a nuclear reactor is not potable- it is charged water. Why are shiv temples always found near a source of water, say a river or lake? That is because shiv Lingams- just like modern day reactors need water for cooling the core. Do you know that no one is allowed to cross the spout of a Shiva Lingam during pradakshina- circumambulation of the Lingam during worship? People have to turn back as soon as they approach the spout because the spout represents irradiated water.
Devotees of Shiva complete only 3/4th round of the Shiva Ling. They must turn back from the water outlet. They are not supposed to cross that waste water channel. Priest’s say “the water coming out of Shiva Ling is “impure” and that one must not touch it at any cost’. Hence the waste water emerging from the Shiva Ling depicted radioactive waste and hence traditionally should not be crossed.
We put Bael leaves (bilipatra) on a Shiva Ling. These leaves are believed to have a capability to absorb radioactive radiation and hence protect vulnerable lives around a ling.
In a study carried out, ground water in Varanasi was found to have a much higher radioactive Uranium content than permissible limit. What is the reason for such a high Uranium content in Varanasi? We know that the Kashi Vishvanath Jyotirling is situated in Varanasi. Maybe, that is the reason. More scientific studies need to be performed in this field.
Pouring of the milk also has spiritual significance. 'Abhishek' is a Sanskrit term which means ‘to cleanse.’ The term is used to describe the religious activity of giving holy bath to a deity. While performing the Abhishek, the Shiva Ling is cleansed with milk. The importance of the ritual being, milk is a sign of purity. And as we pour this milk over the Linga, we not only cleanse it, but also our self and hence wash our sins away. It is a way a devotee connects with his God.
In Sanatan Dharma, it is believed, that there are infinite ways for a person to be one with the infinite supreme God.Whether one chooses to do so, by devoting oneself to Lord Shiva or by feeding food and milk to the poor or any other way, is a personal decision. We should never forget that it is only in our great land, that we get to choose our own God and our own way to attain Moksha !
ॐ नमः शिवाय
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