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{{Short description|Historical Sanskrit text}}
{{italic title}}
[[File:Linga Purana, Sanskrit, Devanagari.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|A page from a ''Linga Purana'' manuscript (Sanskrit, Devanagari)]]
{{Hindu scriptures}}
The '''''Linga Purana''''' (लिङ्गपुराण, [[IAST]]: {{IAST|Liṅga-purāṇa}}) is one of the eighteen ''[[Puranas#Mahapuranas|Mahapuranas]]'', and a ''[[Shaivism]]'' text of [[Hinduism]].{{Sfn|Dalal|2014|p=223}}{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|pp=187-188}} The text's title ''[[lingam|Linga]]'' refers to the iconographical symbol for [[Shiva]].{{Sfn|Dalal|2014|p=223}}{{Sfn|K P Gietz|1992|p=435 with note 2389}}

The author(s) and date of the ''Linga Purana'' are unknown, and estimates place the original text to have been composed between the 5th-10th century CE. The text exists in many versions and was likely revised over time and expanded.{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|pp=187-188}}{{Sfn|Dimmitt|van Buitenen|2012|p=5}} The extant text is structured into two parts, with a cumulative total of 163 chapters.{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|p=187}}

The text presents [[cosmology]], mythology, seasons, festivals, geography, a tour guide for pilgrimage (''Tirtha''), a manual for the design and consecration of the ''[[Lingam|Linga]]'' and ''[[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]]'', ''[[stotra]]s'', the importance of these icons, a description of [[Yoga]] with claims of its various benefits.{{Sfn|Dalal|2014|p=223}}{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|pp=187-188}}{{Sfn|K P Gietz|1992|p=435 with note 2390}}

==Date and structure==
The estimated composition dates for the oldest core of ''Linga Purana'' vary among scholars, ranging from the 5th-century CE to the 10th-century.{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|pp=187-188}}<ref>{{cite book|title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God|page=224|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|year=1978|author=Fred W. Clothey}}</ref>

Like all the ''Puranas'', the ''Linga Purana'' has a complicated chronology. Cornelia Dimmitt and [[J. A. B. van Buitenen]] state that each of the ''Puranas'' is encyclopedic in style, and it is difficult to ascertain when, where, why, and by whom these were written:{{Sfn|Dimmitt|van Buitenen|2012|p=5}}

{{Quote|
"As they exist today, the Puranas are a stratified literature. Each titled work consists of material that has grown by numerous accretions in successive historical eras. Thus no Purana has a single date of composition. (...) It is as if they were libraries to which new volumes have been continuously added, not necessarily at the end of the shelf, but randomly.
|Cornelia Dimmitt and J. A. B. van Buitenen|''Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas''{{Sfn|Dimmitt|van Buitenen|2012|p=5}}}}

The ''Linga Purana'' survives in many versions, consisting of two parts – the ''Purva-bhaga'' (older part, sometimes called ''Purvardha'') with 108 chapters and ''Uttara-bhaga'' (later part, sometimes called ''Uttarardha'') with 55 chapters.{{Sfn|Dalal|2014|p=223}}{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|p=187}} However, the manuscripts of the text assert in verse 2.55.37 that the ''Uttara-bhaga'' only has 46 chapters, suggesting that the text was expanded over time.{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|p=187}} Some scholars suggest that the entire ''Uttara-bhaga'' may be a later insertion or attachment to the older part.{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|p=187}}

The text is titled after its theme, which is the worship of Linga, and the text is primarily focused on Shiva as Supreme.{{Sfn|Dalal|2014|p=223}}{{Sfn|K P Gietz|1992|p=435 with note 2388}} However, along with Shiva-related themes, the ''Linga Purana'' includes chapters dedicated to [[Veda|Vedic]] themes, as well as includes reverence for [[Vishnu]] and [[Brahma]].{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|p=187}}<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart2/Linga%20Purana%20-%20J.L.Shastri%20-%20Part%202#page/n79/mode/2up Linga Purana, Chapters: The greatness of Narayana, The glory of Vishnu, etc] JL Shastri (Translator, 1951), Part 2 of 2, Motilal Banarsidass, pages 589-628</ref>

==Contents==
[[File:God marriage AS.jpg|thumb|The ''Linga Purana'' discusses the idea of [[Ardhanarishvara]] (above), asserting that the goddess is the mother of the universe and she is the avatar of the god. God and goddess, [[Lingam|linga]] and [[yoni]], are co-creators of the universe, both centers of power and divine splendor, states the text.{{Sfn|Kramrisch|1994|pp=246-247, 205-206}}]]
Linga, states [[Alain Daniélou]], means sign.<ref name="Daniélou1991p222">{{cite book|author=Alain Daniélou|title=The Myths and Gods of India |url=https://archive.org/details/mythsgodsofindia00dani|url-access=registration|series=Princeton Bollingen Series|year=1991|publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Co|isbn=978-0-89281-354-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/mythsgodsofindia00dani/page/222 222]–224}}</ref> It is an important concept in Hindu texts, wherein Linga is a manifested sign and nature of someone or something. It accompanies the concept of [[Brahman]], which as invisible signless and existent Principle, is formless or linga-less.<ref name="Daniélou1991p222"/> The ''Linga Purana'' states, "Shiva is signless, without color, taste, smell, that is beyond word or touch, without quality, motionless and changeless".<ref name="Daniélou1991p222"/> The source of the universe is signless, and all of the universe is the manifested Linga, a union of unchanging Principles and the ever-changing nature.<ref name="Daniélou1991p222"/> The ''Linga Purana'' text builds on this foundation.{{Sfn|Kramrisch|1994|pp=171-185}}

The ''Linga Purana'' consists of two parts – the longer ''Purva-bhaga'' and the shorter ''Uttara-bhaga''.{{Sfn|Dalal|2014|p=223}}{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|p=187}} They discuss diverse range of topics, and illustrative sections include:
*Cosmology: the text presents cosmology in several places. For example, in early chapters it refers to the ''Shvetashvatara Upanishad'', and in chapter 1.70 it presents a ''[[Samkhya]]''-type cosmology.<ref>{{cite book|author=Tracy Pintchman|title=The Rise of the Goddess in the Hindu Tradition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JsDpBwAAQBAJ| year=2015| publisher=State University of New York Press|isbn=978-1-4384-1618-2 |page=242 with footnote 150}}</ref>
*Astronomy: the Purana presents its theory of sun, moon, planets and stars in the night sky in chapters 1.55 to 1.61, with the mythology associated with each.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1/Linga%20Purana%20-%20J.L.Shastri%20-%20Part%201#page/n219/mode/2up Linga Purana, Chapter 1.55-1.61] JL Shastri (Translator, 1951), Part 1 of 2, Motilal Banarsidass, pages 215-238</ref>
*Geography: the earth has seven continents asserts the text, and it then names and describes the mountains and rivers, what grows in various regions, the text is woven in with mythology.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1/Linga%20Purana%20-%20J.L.Shastri%20-%20Part%201#page/n185/mode/2up Linga Purana, Chapter 1.46] JL Shastri (Translator, 1951), Part 1 of 2, Motilal Banarsidass, pages 181-209</ref>
*Tirtha (pilgrimage): the holy cities of [[Varanasi]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Allahabad|Prayag]] and [[Kurukshetra]] are extolled in chapters 1.77 and 1.92, for example.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1/Linga%20Purana%20-%20J.L.Shastri%20-%20Part%201#page/n491/mode/2up Linga Purana, Chapter 1.92] JL Shastri (Translator, 1951), Part 1 of 2, Motilal Banarsidass, pages 486-501, 378-382</ref>
*Yoga and ethics: the ''Linga Purana'' discusses Pashupata Yoga and ethics in many sections, such as chapters 1.8, 1.88-1.89, 2.13, 2.55 and others.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1/Linga%20Purana%20-%20J.L.Shastri%20-%20Part%201#page/n463/mode/2up Linga Purana, Chapter 1.88-1.89] JL Shastri (Translator, 1951), Part 1 of 2, Motilal Banarsidass, pages 27-37, 458-477</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart2/Linga%20Purana%20-%20J.L.Shastri%20-%20Part%202#page/n141/mode/2up Linga Purana, Chapter 13: The eight bodies of Shiva] JL Shastri (Translator, 1951), Part 2 of 2, Motilal Banarsidass, pages 650, 789-791</ref>

{{Quote box | bgcolor=#FFE0BB |align=left |salign = right
|quote= '''Ethics in Linga Purana'''
<poem>
Giving help to everyone,
showing kindness to all,
is called the highest worship
of the Lord of eight forms.
</poem>
|source =— ''Linga Purana 2.13.35-36''<br>Transl: Stella Kramrisch{{Sfn|Kramrisch|1994|p=111}}<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart2/Linga%20Purana%20-%20J.L.Shastri%20-%20Part%202#page/n141/mode/2up Linga Purana, Chapter 13: The eight bodies of Shiva] JL Shastri (Translator, 1951), Part 2 of 2, Motilal Banarsidass, page 650</ref>}}
The Linga Purana is notable for its aggressiveness in retaliating against those who censure Shiva, suggesting in chapter 1.107 that Shiva devotee should be willing to give his life to end the censorship of Shiva, if necessary with violence against those who censure Shiva.{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|p=187}} In Chapter 1.78, the text also emphasizes the virtues of non-violence, stating, "violence should be avoided always, and at all places."<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1/Linga%20Purana%20-%20J.L.Shastri%20-%20Part%201#page/n391/mode/2up Linga Purana, Chapter 1.78] JL Shastri (Translator, 1951), Part 2 of 2, Motilal Banarsidass, page 387</ref>

The Linga Purana's ideas incorporate, states Stella Kramrisch, those of the ''[[Samkhya]]'' school of [[Hindu philosophy]].{{Sfn|Kramrisch|1994|pp=171-185}} The chapter 1.17 of the ''Linga Purana'' introduces ''Linga'' as ''Pradhana'' or ''[[Prakriti]]'' (cosmic substance), while Shiva is described as ''Lingin'', or one with this "subtle body".{{Sfn|Kramrisch|1994|pp=171-185}} Lingam is presented by the text as an abstract concept, the [[Ātman_(Hinduism)|formless reality]], contrasted with ''Alinga'' (Vyakta), along with its phallic significance with the sexual truth in nature's process of life creation in the universe. The verses of the text, states Kramrisch, present ''Linga'' as an [[aniconic]] symbol of both the matter and the spirit, the ''Prakriti'' and the ''[[Purusha]]'', whereby the "powers of creation, liberation, and annihilation" are symbolized by the icon.{{Sfn|Kramrisch|1994|pp=171-185}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book | last = Dimmitt | first = Cornelia | first2 = J. A. B. |last2 = van Buitenen | title = Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=re7CR2jKn3QC| publisher = Temple University Press (1st Edition: 1977) | year = 2012 | isbn =978-1-4399-0464-0 }}
*{{cite book |last=Kramrisch |first=Stella |title=The Presence of Śiva |year=1994 |publisher=Princeton University Press |location=Princeton, New Jersey |isbn=978-0691019307 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/presenceofsivamy00skra }}
*{{cite book|first = Rosen|last= Dalal|year= 2014|title= Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide| publisher= Penguin|isbn= 978-8184752779| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC }}
*{{cite book|author=K P Gietz|display-authors=etal|title=Epic and Puranic Bibliography (Up to 1985) Annotated and with Indexes: Part I: A - R, Part II: S - Z, Indexes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kgpLBpUCufwC&pg=PA870|year= 1992|publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag|isbn=978-3-447-03028-1}}
*{{Cite book|first=Ludo |last=Rocher| year= 1986| author-link= Ludo Rocher| title= The Puranas| publisher= Otto Harrassowitz Verlag| isbn= 978-3447025225}}

==External links==
* [https://archive.org/details/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1 Linga Purana - Part 1], English Translation by J.L.Shastri (1951)
* [https://archive.org/details/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart2 Linga Purana - Part 2], English Translation by J.L.Shastri (1951)

{{Puranas}}
{{Hindudharma}}

[[Category:Puranas]]

Linga Purana - Revision history

UpdateBot at 01:10, 12 April 2022