According to Doniger, the Mahabharata is the first ancient Hindu text where the lingam is unequivocally designating the sexual organ of Shiva. Chapter 10.17 of the Mahabharata also refers to the word sthanu in the sense of an inanimate pillar as well as a name of Shiva, signifying the immobile, ascetic, sexualized form of the lingam, as it recites the legend involving Shiva, Brahma and Prajapati. This mythology weaves two polarities, one where the lingam represents the potentially procreative phallus (fertile lingam) and its opposite a pillar-like renouncer of sexuality (ascetic lingam), states Doniger.