102 - The Linga Purāņa: Contents

God Brahmä said: 

1. O son, listen, I shall recount to you the Purana called Linga.1 It bestows worldly pleasures and salvation on those who read and listen to it. 

1. The LP is published by the Venkateshvara Press, G.M. Calcutta. and MLBD, Delhi. Its translation is published in the AITM, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, I have used the GM. edition for reference here. 

2. It was while stationed in the huge fiery column that Hara narrated (the subject matter in the Purana) named Linga to me in order that virtue etc, may be realised. The story refers to the incidents of the Agni Kalpa.1 

1. The NP states that the Linga Purana (LP) refers to incidents in the Agni Kalpa, but LP I 2.1 states that it describes the incidents in the Ishäna Kalpα. 

Ishäna-Kalpa-vruttantam adhikrutya mahātmana|

Brahmana kalpitam púrvam Puranam Laingam uttamam||

 It means that the NP used a different and older version of the LP than the extant published editions, 

3. The same thing was described by the holy Lord Vyasa in two parts. The Linga Purāņa is mentioned to be miraculous with many narratives. 

4. It comprises of eleven thousand verses.2 It indicates the greatness of Hara. It is greater than all the other Purāņas. It is the essence of the three worlds. 

2. This statement of the NP regarding the extent of the LP (viz. 11,000 verses) has been endorsed by the Vayu, Mt.P., Bh.P., A.P. etc. The LP also states that it consists of 11000 verses; 

Asyaikadasha-sahasram granthamanam iha dvijah|

 But actually the Venkata Edt. of the LP contains 9185 verses (PJ VII 2. p. 349) 

5. There is the enquiry at the start of the Purāņa. The former creation is succinctly described. Then the Yoga system is narrated; thereafter, the Kalpa is recounted. 

6. The origin of the Linga; then Ambā is glorified; then the holy dialogue between Sanatkumara and Shilada’s son i.e. Nandin. 

7. Thereafter, the story of Dadhicha, the review of the Yugadharma (virtue peculiar to the different Yugas), then the narrative of the Bhuvana Kośha (The globe of the world), then the Solar and the Lunar races are described. 

8. Then the creation is described in detail; then the story of the Tripuras; the installation of the Linga and then the liberation of the Pashu (individual soul) from Pāśha (bondage i.e. from saṁsára) 

9. The holy rites of Shiva, the survey of good conduct Expiatory rites; Arishtas (evil portents, harassments etc.); then the description of Kāśhi and Shri Shaila. 

10. The narration of Andhaka; then the story of Varaha (The Divine Boar), the story of Nrushimha and then the slaying of Jalandhara. 

11. The thousand epithets of Shiva, the destruction of Dakşha’s sacrifice. Kama is burnt down, then the story of the marriage of Girijā. 

12. Then the story of Vināyaka, that of the kings and that of Shiva; then the story of upamanyu. This is the summary of the first section.1 

1. Though the NP refers to a few topics in the Purva Bhaga, most of them are found in the extant editions. 

13. The narration of the greatness of Vişhņu, then the story of Ambarisha, O sage, again there is the dialogue between Sanatkumāra and Nandiśha. 

14. The greatness of Shiva, the mode of ablution and sacrificial system (yāga) etc. the injunction regarding the worship of the sun-god. Then the worship of Śhiva that confers liberation from samsāra. 

15. Many types of charitable gifts are mentioned; then the chapter on Śhrāddha, the Pratișhthā Tantra (the ritualistic text of installation), then the glorification of Aghora. 

16. The great Vidyā of Vajreśhvari, then the glory of Gāyatrī, the greatness of Tryambaka, (the three-eyed Lord) as well as that of listening to the Purāņa. 

17. Thus the latter half of the Linga Purāņa as composed by Vyāsa has been recounted by me and the greatness of Rudra is indicated.2 

2. A comparison of topics given in the NP and those found in the printed (GM) edition shows that the published LP has many topics common with the LP that was before the author of the NP. 

18-19a. This Purāņa must be written and gifted to a Brāhmaṇa with devotion on the full moonday in the month of Phālguna along with gingelly seeds and a cow. He who does so, attains Sāyujya with Shiva. He does not have to suffer from old age or death. 

19b-20a. The man who reads or listens to the Linga Purāņa that dispels sins, enjoys pleasures in this world and at the end attains to Śhiva’s city. 

20b-21. The man who reads the index and the man who listens to this - both of them are the devotees of Shiva. They enjoy both the worlds through the Grace of the Lord of Girijā. There is no doubt about this.