Chapter 53 - Characteristics of the Liṅga (parabolic representation of Śiva)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Lord said:

1-2. O Lotus-born (Brahman) I shall describe to you the characteristics of the liṅga and other things. Listen. Having-marked a rectangular (block of stone) as divided into two parts lengthwise, the lower part again being divided into eight parts and three parts of these divisions being left out, the remaining (block) formed by five parts should be divided breadthwise into three parts and the three (gods) should be assigned therein.

3. This is spoken as representing the forms of Brahman, Viṣṇu and Śiva (among) which (the last one) is larger (than the other two parts). Half of the figure is marked at the angular points in the square.

4. An octagonal (block) known as the part of Viṣṇu is -certainly obtained (thus). Then a polygon of sixteen sides is made and then a polygon of thirty-two sides.

5. Having made a polygon of sixty-four sides, the circular shape is accomplished. Then the excellent spiritual teacher should chisel the head portion of the emblem.

6. The breadth of the liṅga may be divided into eight parts. An umbrella-shaped top portion (of the liṅga) is got by discarding half of this length.

7. A liṅga which has a breadth equal to three-fourth of its length bestows all the desired benefits.

8. The pillar (part of the emblem) should be a quarter of the length (of the emblem) in the case of those worshipped by the celestials. Listen now (the narration) of the characteristics of all liṅgas.

9. The wiseman should divide the liṅga measuring 16 aṅgulas into 6 parts through the central line upto the Brahman and Rudra parts.

10. The spaces in between two such lines of division should measure eight yavas each in the first two cases, each latter measuring a yava less than the preceding one.

11. Having divided the lower part into three parts, one part should be left out. Having divided the (remaining) two parts into eight parts, the three upper ones (of these divisions) should be left aside.

12. Those (three sections) above the five divisions should be rotated and the markings lengthened. Having left out one part their union should be brought about.

13. These are the general characteristics of the liṅga described by me. I shall (now) describe the most general (characteristics) of the pedestals.

14. After having known the commencing portion of the liṅga and height, the part (belonging) to Brahman should be well placed by the learned person on the stone (pedestal).

15. Then having known the height (of the liṅga) the different dimensions of the pedestal should be made. The base (of the liṅga) should be twice the height and length commensurate with that of the liṅga.

16. The central part of the pedestal should be hewn and divided into three parts. Its breadth should be one-sixth part of its length.

17. The girth should measure one-third part of its breadth, and the depth (of cavity) should be equal to that of the girth. It should be sloping gradually.

18. Or the depth (of the cavity) should be one sixteenth part of that of the girth. The height of the base should be deviated.

19. One part of the base should remain imbedded in the ground. One part of it will be (the height of) the stool proper. Three such parts (will be the height) of the neck portion. The first step should be one such part.

20. The second step should be of two such parts in height while the remaining steps should have a height of such a single part until one reaches the neck portion step by step.

21. Outlets to the breadth of such a part should be set apart on each one of the steps till the last one. They should be cut into three parts by the three outlets.

22. It should measure a tip of the finger in breadth at the base and one-sixth (of a finger) at their ends. Their beds should be a little inclined towards the eastern side. These are considered to be the general characteristics of the liṅga along with the pedestal.