The Linga Purana

by J. L. Shastri | 1951 | 265,005 words | ISBN-10: 812080340X | ISBN-13: 9788120803404

This page describes Description of Shiva Lingas which is chapter 74 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 74 - Description of Śiva Liṅgas

Sūta said:

1. At the bidding of Lord Brahmā, Viśvakarmā made the following Liṅgas befitting the office of Devas and gave those Liṅgas to them.

2. The Liṅga made of Sapphire was worshipped by Viṣṇu. Indra worshipped that of ruby. The son of Viśravas worshipped the Liṅga made of gold.

3. Viśvedevas worshipped Silver Liṅga, Vasus the auspicious magnetic Liṅga, Vāyu the Liṅga made of brass; and Aśvins the Earthen Liṅga.

4. King Varuṇa worshipped the crystal Liṅga; Ādityas the excellent Liṅga made of copper, and king Soma the excellent Liṅga made of pearls.

5. Ananta and the other great serpents worshipped the Liṅga of coral; Daityas and Rākṣasas the ferrous Liṅga.

6. Guhyakas worshipped the Liṅga of three metals, Gaṇas that made of all metals and O excellent brahmins, Cāmuṇḍā and Mothers worshipped the Liṅga of Sand.

7. Nairṛti worshipped the Liṅga of wood; Yama that of emerald; Nīlarudra and others the pure and splendid Liṅga made of Bhasman. (ashes).

8. Lakṣmī worshipped the Liṅga of Lakṣmīvṛkṣa (Bilva tree); Guha the Liṅga of cowdung. O leading sages, the sages worshipped the excellent Liṅga of Kuśa grass.

9. Vāmadeva and others worshipped the Puṣpaliṅga and Manonmanī the Liṅga made of scents. Sarasvatī worshipped the Liṅga made of jewels.

10. Durgā worshipped the Liṅga made of gold along with the pedestal. All the Mantras worshipped Ugra in the form of sacrifice with the splendid Liṅga made of ghee.

11. The Vedas worshipped the Liṅga of curds; Piśācas the Liṅga of lead. All the worshippers attained the suitable region by the favour of Brahmā.

12. Of what avail is much talk? There is no doubt in this that it was due to their worshipping the Liṅga that the universe of mobile and immobile beings could stand.

13- 16. Due to the difference in the material, they say, there are six types of Liṅgas. Their subdivisions are forty-four in number. The first type of Liṅga is called Śailaja (made of rock). It has four sub-divisions. O excellent sages, the second type is made of jewels. It has seven sub-divisions. The third type originates from metals and it has eight sub-divisions. The fourth Liṅga originates from wood and it is of sixteen sub-divisions. O excellent brahmins, the fifth type of Liṅga is made of clay; it has two subdivisions. The sixth type of Liṅga is the Kṣaṇika (momentary) and it is of seven subdivisions.

17. The Liṅga originating from jewels bestows fortune; that originating from rock yields all Siddhis. The Liṅga made of metals bestows wealth and the Liṅga made of wood yields the achievement of worldly pleasures.

18. O leading brahmins, the Liṅga of clay is splendid and brings about all Siddhis. The Liṅga of rock is very excellent; the Liṅga of metals is the middling one.

19-20. Liṅgas are of numerous types. In brief, they are of nine types.

At the root of the Liṅga, Brahmā is stationed. Viṣṇu the lord of three worlds, is stationed in the middle. Above is stationed Rudra, Mahādeva, Sadāśiva who is called Praṇava. The pedestal of Liṅga is the great goddess having three Guṇas, the mother having three[1] attributes.

21-25. The goddess as well as the lord is adored by the person who worships with that pedestal. The splendid Liṅga whether of rock, or of jewel or of metals, or of wood or of clay or of momentary type, should be installed with devotion. The result is very splendid.

The person who worships the Liṅga is eulogised by Indra, Brahmā, Agni, Yama, Varuṇa, Kubera, Siddhas, Vidyādharas, the king of serpents, Yakṣas, Dānavas and Kinnaras with the sounds of the divine drum. He is a meritorious soul. Shining brilliantly with splendour he gradually occupies and passes through Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ, Svaḥ and Mahar worlds and then beyond Janaloka he shall go on to Tapas and Satya, illuminating them with his own brilliance. He shall unhesitatingly pierce the cosmic Egg by means of the large sword deposited in the holy path wherein ṭhe Liṅgas had been installed.

26-30. After eschewing the Liṅgas of rock, or of jewels, or of metals, or of wood or of clay or of the momentary type he shall establish his entire body in the Liṅga.

The man who instals the splendid Liṅga white as the kunda flower or cow’s milk, in accordance with the injunctions, along with Skanda and Umā undoubtedly becomes Rudra embodied in human form. By touching him or seeing him men attain great bliss. O leading brahmins, his merit cannot be mentioned by me even in hundreds of yugas. Hence one should install the Liṅga in the above manner.

The Sakala (one with attributes) and divinely splendid body of the lord is worthy of being conceived by all men. But the Niṣkala (attributeless) body of the lord can be conceived only by the yogin.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

trimayā—brahma-viṣṇu-rudramayā Śivatoṣiṇī. of the form of Brahmā Viṣṇu and Rudra.

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