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17. SAIVISM
Both Arjuna and Krishna worshipped Him and obtained favors from Him. In the Ramayana too we come across several references to Him. Sage Valmiki depicted Ravana, the demon king and chief villain of the epic, as a great devotee and daily worshipper of Lord Shiva. It is believed that worship of His icons was widely prevalent as early as 2nd or 3rd Century B.C.,.
The concept of Son of God is clearly indicated in this icon represention where the word Om is superimposed on the Formless Form of Sivlinga to represent the incarnate God who mediates between God and Man. God reaching down to man.
Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me;
In fact the similarity goes much deeper as explained in detail by Dr. Devakala in Theological Foundation of Hindu Religion (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Ithaca/1412/theology.html)
Does the face suggest any one?
Siva Lingam
Siva-linga at Baramula in Kashmir
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