The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c11.73.1

v1.c11.73.1

**Rudra identified with the Lingam** : With this development of Rudra as the destroyer, a new idea was associated with him, that of the male principle in nature, or the source of creation, which the *Liṅgam* symbolizes. The two ideas are distinct, and in many respects highly discordant; the one typifies attraction, the other repulsion; the one invokes love and affection, the other hatred; the one is founded on the desire of creation, the other of destruction; and their concentration in the same individual is irreconcilable with all principles of poetical logic which governs the formation of myths; and it is difficult to conceive how it was brought about. The extracts quoted above show that the Purāṇas do not attempt to fuse the two ideas into one, but, simply assign to Rudra, the destroyer, a disgusting symbol as the result of an accident. They say nothing about the idea of the creative principle being associated with it. The Tantras are not so reticent; they not only acknowledge the esoteric meaning of the symbol, but insist upon it for the glorification of the divinity. They have not, however, as far as I am aware of, anywhere attempted to reconcile the conflict between the two ideas.