31 - The mode of gifting the subtle mountain

Sanatkumara said:

1. Henceforth, a rite called Sukshmaparvata (subtle mountain) is being laid down. The materials are few but the benefit is great. It can be performed at any time when the materials have been gathered. It is genuinely a holy rite.

2. The ground is scrubbed and cleaned with cowdung. Cloths are spread over it. The intelligent devotee shall deposit three Bharas of excellent gingelly seeds in the middle of the cloths.

3. He shall make an eight-petalled lotus with pericarp and filaments. It shall be made with ten gold coins.

4. The lotus shall be fixed in the middle of the gingelly seeds. The idol shall be placed in the middle of the lotus. After duly propitiating the lord he shall worship Vama and others.

5-6. The form of Shakti shall be made of gold with three gold pieces. The Nyasa rite shall be performed. Vighneshas shall be installed all round.²⁶⁷ The Vighneshas shall be made with the quantity of gold mentioned before. They shall be duly worshipped with scents and fragrant flowers and other materials in accordance with the injunctions.

267. kramat — purvadi-kramena — in the order of the quarters beginning with the east.

Summary of chapter 141 of the Linga Mahā Purana is as follows:

The text recounts how the holy sage Śilāda performed rigorous austerities without eating food for thousands of years to obtain a son not born of a mortal womb. Gratified by his intense devotion, Supreme Śiva Himself emerged from the sacrificial fire as Nandi, filling Śilāda's home with divine joy and supreme spiritual illumination.