Linga Mahā Purana
32 - The gift of golden earth
Sanatkumara said:
1-2. I shall succinctly mention the charitable gift of golden earth. The rites of japa, homa, worship, charitable gift and ablution, etc., shall be performed as before through sages in the place and on occasions mentioned earlier either in the Kunda or in the Mandala.
3-4. The figure of the earth shall be made with a thousand golden coins. It shall be divine in form with a single hand, beautiful and splendid. It shall be surrounded by mountains and shall contain the seven islands, oceans, etc., as well as all the holy centres with the mountain Meru in the middle.
5-7 Or the island268 with the nine Khandas shall be depicted in the middle. As before all rites shall be performed in the mystic diagram in the middle of the altar. One-seventh of the thousand gold coins shall be given to a devotee of Shiva as a gift in accordance with the Shastraic injunctions.
268. dvipam— Jambudvipa with its nine divisions.
He shall worship lord Shiva with the thousand water pots and other articles. This excellent charitable gift is called Suvarna Medini Dana.
Summary of chapter 142 of the Linga Mahā Purana is as follows:
This chapter outlines various divine Lilās and cosmic manifestations assumed by Parameśvara Śiva throughout human history to establish righteousness, protect sages, and humble arrogant cosmic beings. The narrative highlights that every divine descent of Śiva is driven purely by boundless compassion for seeking souls.