Key fact Since humans cannot understand Brahman completely, Hindus find it helpful to think of God as formless (nirguna) in some ways but having form (saguna) in other ways.

Another way in which Brahman can be understood is Saguna Brahman. Saguna Brahman, is the idea that Brahman has form and can be understood through images. These images are manifestations of God.

The Vedic and Puranic Origins of the Lingam The earliest references to the lingam appear in the Vedic texts, particularly in the Atharvaveda and the Shvetashvatara Upanishad. The lingam is often ...