At the heart of Lingayat spirituality stands an intense, exclusive devotion to Shiva as the one supreme reality. Shiva is understood as formless and infinite, beyond beginning and end, and is not approached through a pantheon of deities but as the sole focus of worship. This monotheistic orientation leads to a deliberate rejection of the worship of other gods and goddesses, as well as of elaborate Vedic or temple rituals. The divine is primarily conceived in the abstract form of the linga rather than in anthropomorphic images, emphasizing Shiva’s transcendent, nirguna nature. Such a vision orients the devotee’s entire life toward a single, all-encompassing relationship with Shiva.

This relationship is made concrete through the *ishtalinga*, the personal linga that every Lingayat receives and wears on the body, often in a small casket around the neck or arm. The *ishtalinga* is not treated as a mere symbol but as the living presence of Shiva, enabling continuous, intimate worship wherever the devotee may be. Daily *linga-puja* and constant remembrance of Shiva through this personal emblem are central disciplines, turning ordinary life into an unbroken act of devotion. In this way, devotion is not confined to particular times or sacred places; it is carried on the body and held in the heart at every moment.

A distinctive feature of this devotion is its insistence on direct, unmediated access to Shiva. Lingayats reject the necessity of priestly intermediaries, elaborate temple ceremonies, and ritualistic observances, holding that inner purity, ethical conduct, and heartfelt *bhakti* are the true offerings to the divine. The guru remains important as a spiritual guide and channel of grace, especially in initiation, yet the core relationship is always between the individual and Shiva through the *ishtalinga*. This vision affirms that all devotees—regardless of social background—stand equally capable of approaching Shiva, with spiritual status measured by devotion and conduct rather than birth.

Devotion to Shiva is not seen as separate from the conduct of life but as its guiding principle. Love for Shiva is to be expressed in righteous action and supported by spiritual understanding, integrating *bhakti*, *karma*, and *jnana* into a single path. The ultimate aim is liberation while still living, attained through steady, exclusive devotion and constant awareness of Shiva’s presence. When life is oriented around the ever-worn linga and the ever-present Shiva it signifies, every thought and deed becomes a step toward union with the divine.