53- Characteristics of the linga (parabolic representation of Siva)

The Lord said: 

1-2. O Lotus-born (Brahman) Ishall describe to you the characteristics of the linga 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 partsshould be divided breadthwise into three parts and the three (gods)should be assigned therein. 

3. This is spoken as representing the forms of Brahman, Vishņu and Siva (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 Vishņu 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 circularshape is accomplished. Then the excellent spiritual teachershould chisel the head portion of the emblem. 

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

7. A linga 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 lingas. 

9. The wisemanshould divide the linga measuring 16 angulas into 6 parts through the central line upto the Brahman and Rudra parts. 

10. The spaces in between two such lines of divisionshould 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 partshould 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 divisionsshould be rotated and the markings lengthened. Having left out one part their unionshould be brought about. 

13. These are the general characteristics of the linga described by me. Ishall (now) describe the most general (characteristics) of the pedestals. 

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

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

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

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

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

19. One part of the baseshould 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 stepshould be one such part. 

20. The second stepshould be of two such parts in height while the remaining stepsshould 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 partshould be set apart on each one of the steps till the last one. Theyshould be cut into three parts by the three outlets. 

22. Itshould measure a tip of the finger in breadth at the base and one-sixth (of a finger) at their ends. Their bedsshould be a little inclined towards the eastern side. These are considered to be the general characteristics of the linga along with the pedstal.