Why should one perform Abhisheka of a Shivalinga ? Is it not a waste of resources?

 

10 reasons why Abhisheka on Shiva-linga is beneficial  

1. Why waste milk in abhisheka on Shivalinga? It is not wasted. It is distributed as charanamrit. If this is not being done in some places, it should be started.  Even the water that is offered on the linga if it is excess, then it is offered to plants etc.  
2. Still, why waste it on a stone when there are poor and hungry people? We never ask:  What about smashing cakes on faces on birthdays, champagne-fizz celebrations for a win/success, wasting food in each meal and much more. No doubt we should not waste resources.  As mentioned in point 1, we distribute it as charanmrit and also feed it to the animals etc. The problem is selective standards.  We have different standards for ourselves and for the Divine.  
3. All said and done, it is stil a stone right?  No it is not. For a devotee it is God.  A photo is not a piece of paper for the mother, it is her child.  A flag is not a cloth for a soldier, it is his country.  Let us have a deeper understanding.  
4. How does it benefit me? When one invokes devotion and does the abhisheka, it makes the mind positive, invokes surrender to the higher and removes negativities. 
5. Why is water always dripping on a Shivalinga from a pot on a tripod?  When we love someone we constantly think about them, imagine relating to them and visualise about them. Love and remembrance go together. The more we think about the beloved, the more love rises in our heart.  Abhisheka represents constant flow of thoughts towards the Lord.  We express our gratitude and devotion to the Lord through Abhisheka.  Its a prayer to the Lord that may our Minds be single pointed in devotion to the Lord. May we have Ananya-Bhakti.  What we continuously think about, we become that.  Its psychology also.  
6. Why so many different items are offered? Each item offered has a symbolic meaning. It helps to cultivate some virtues and drop some vices.  
• Milk: Holistic nourishment and purity
• Ghee: Love for the Divine and offering away our attachments
• Curd: Patience & consistent effort.  Nothing seems to happen on the surface but the milk turns into curd overnight because fermentation is happening within.  
• Honey: Symbolic offering of results of actions. 
• Sugar: Cultivating sweetness
• Haldi: To inculcate good health
• Chandan: Invoking forgiveness in us and speading fragrance to others
• Kumkum: Invoking the mental powers and strength in us
• Lemon Juice: Offer all pungent experiences to the Lord
• Bhasma/Ash:  Invoke Detachment 
• Coconut water: Offer the ego and taste nectar of immortality
7. Does God need all this?  Definitely Not. It is our feeling of love.  We can give without love but we cannot love without giving. The best within us must be poured out in seva at the feet of the Lord.  Abhishek not only sanctifies the Murti, but it also purifies our mind.
8. Why offer so much? We want to offer the best to God. Anyways, everything belongs to God. Each one can offer as per their devotion and capability.  
9. What is the spiritual significance? The greatest and the highest Abisheka is to pour the waters of pure love on the Lord in one's heart.  Continuously when external abhisheka is done, it eventually leads to internal abhisheka on Atma-linga. Devotee thinks of the Divine constantly and realises oneness with the Divine. 
10. It is said the Alankarapriyo vishnuhu Abhisheka-priyah shivaha.  Lord Vishnu likes Alankaar and Lord Shiva likes Abhisheka.  We always want to please the beloved by doing what he/she loves.  Lets all come together to offer our gratitude and devotion to Lord Shiva through Abhisheka.