The Linga Purana
by J. L. Shastri | 1951 | 265,005 words | ISBN-10: 812080340X | ISBN-13: 9788120803404
This page describes The gift of golden earth which is chapter 32 of the English translation of the Linga Purana, traditionally authored by Vyasa in roughly 11,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with Shaiva pilosophy, the Linga (symbol of Shiva), Cosmology, Yugas, Manvantaras, Creation theories, mythology, Astronomy, Yoga, Geography, Sacred pilgrimage guides (i.e., Tirthas) and Ethics. The Lingapurana is an important text in Shaivism but also contains stories on Vishnu and Brahma.
Chapter 32 - The gift of golden earth
Sanatkumāra said:
1-2. I shall succinctly mention the charitable gift of golden earth. The rites of japa, homa, worship, charitable gift and ablution, etc., shall be performed as before through sages in the place and on occasions mentioned earlier either in the Kuṇḍa or in the Maṇḍala.
3-4. The figure of the earth shall be made with a thousand golden coins. It shall be divine in form with a single hand, beautiful and splendid. It shall be surrounded by mountains and shall contain the seven islands, oceans, etc., as well as all the holy centres with the mountain Meru in the middle.
5-7 Or the island[1] with the nine Khaṇḍas shall be depicted in the middle. As before all rites shall be performed in the mystic diagram in the middle of the altar. One-seventh of the thousand gold coins shall be given to a devotee of Śiva as a gift in accordance with the Shastraic injunctions.
He shall worship lord Śiva with the thousand water pots and other articles. This excellent charitable gift is called Suvarṇa Medinī Dāna.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
dvīpa [dvīpam]—Jambūdvīpa with its nine divisions.