Linga Mahā Purana
30 - The mode of gifting the mountain of gingelly seeds
Sanatkumara said:
1-3. Now I shall narrate the excellent rite of Tilaparvata dana (gift of a mountain of gingelly seeds). This rite shall be performed in the same spot as is mentioned before and at the same auspicious occasion. It shall be performed on a beautiful level plot of ground. O sage, after duly worshipping the staff fixed on the bare ground without an altar it shall be sprinkled with water. The staff shall have the length of ten palms of hands. After sprinkling the staff with water the excellent brahmin devotee shall put gingelly seeds over it. He shall water that spot with Panchagavya.
4-5. The learned devotee shall draw the mystic diagram as before all round. New cloth shall be spread over the ground and beautfiul flowers shall be scattered. Bharas of gingelly seeds shall be piled up there. If the pile of gingelly seeds is higher than the staff by a Danda, it shall be glorified as the excellent one.
6. O leading sages, if it is four angulas shorter in height than before it is the middle one. If it is of the same height as the staff it is of mean order. No mound shall be made shorter in height than the staff.
7. It shall be wrapped with new cloth all round and duly worshipped. After fixing Sadya and others he shall worship them in accordance with the injunctions.
8. The deities mentioned before shall be duly installed in all the eight quarters. Each of the deities shall be duly made with three golden pieces.
9. The monetary gift shall be duly offered as in the case of the rite of Tula Bhara. O excellent sages, the Homa too shall be just as it has been mentioned before.
10-13. The worship of Shiva shall be performed by means of thousand Kalashas. One shall have the vision of Umapati, the lord of Devas seated in the middle of the mound of the gingelly seeds. The devotee shall worship the lord of the chiefs of Devas surrounded by the guardians of the quarters, seated in the middle of the mound of gingelly seeds. In fact, the lord shall be in the form of the mountain mound of gingelly seeds. After performing the rite of worship in accordance with the injunctions, the lord shall be ritualistically discharged. The devotee shall give away the mountain of gingelly seeds as a present unto a brahmin well-versed in the Shrutis but poor. Thus, the rite of gift of a mountain of gingelly seeds has been mentioned to you. It is the greatest of all rites of charitable gifts.
Summary of chapter 140 of the Linga Mahā Purana is as follows:
This chapter presents Prāyashcittavidhi, detailing specific penances, fasting regimes, and mantra recitations to expiate severe accidental or intentional transgressions. Nandi explains that sincere repentance combined with continuous chanting of the Rudra-hymns and worship of the Śiva Liṅga cleanses the mind and restores spiritual integrity.