Lingapurana
लिङ्गपुराण
liṅgapurāṇa
Linga Purana is preaching about the greatness of Lord Shiva. The worship of Siva and modalities of worship of Sivalinga are the main objectives of this Purana. Linga Purana has been divided into five sections and have a eleven thousand stanzas all together. Narada narrated some part of it to Sages doing penance at Nimisharanya. The Rishis become very enthusiastic and met Sage Sutha in Nimisharanya to narrate the remaining. The great Sage Sutha then told the full story of Linga Purana to the Sages.
Siva is the Supreme Being and is beyond the reach of creation or deluge. He is one but manifests himself as three distinct deities Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. He manifests himself as Mahesh in his formless (Nirguna) identity. He manifests himself in all the living creatures as well as imperceptible things in the form of seven natural elements-Mahattatva (5 basic elements), Ahankara (ego), Shabda (Sound) Sparsh (touch), Roop (appearance), Rasa (taste) and Gandha (smell).
After the Pralaya, the deluge a fiery Shivalinga appeared. From this Shivalinga, emerged all the Vedas, other scriptures and even Brahma, Vishnu and all other deities. Linga Purana also talk about the philosophy behind the sound symbol AUM, practice of Astanga Yoga, tales of different Kalpas, characteristics of Siva Temples and Sivalinga. A version of Shiva Sahasra Nama as dictated by Lord Vishnu is available in this purana.
S
iva is the great Creative Energy that helps you to develop into higher lever. In the course of development the Great Lord transforms yourself and you are forced to shed the old forms. Siva is the a destroyer of your old forms. Siva-Rudra is thus playing the dual role of creator and destroyer. This may look like a paradox, but actually creation and destruction are complimentary to each other. The main aspect of maintenance of this world is by the rhythm achieved by creation and destruction. Siva is thus the great dancer, the Nataraja. The concept of Nataraja, the rhythmic dance of Siva is the best imagination for the Harmony in Nature. This has amazed many a scientists and philosophers; Frijof Capra, Coomaraswamy, Vilayanur s Ramachandran are few among them.
Contents of Linga Purana
Linga Purana Part 1: This section contains 14 sub-sections
1.1.1 Sutji Narrates the Divine Tales of Linga Purana 1.1.2 The Beginning of Creation 1.1.3 The Origin of Creation 1.1.4 Lord Shiva – The Supreme Liberator 1.1.5 Incarnations of Manu & Vyas 1.1.6 The Essence of Yoga 1.1.7 Obstacles in the Path of Yoga 1.1.8 Bali – The Realization of Shiva 1.1.9 Venerableness of Sadyojaat 1.1.10 Lord Vaamdev 1.1.11 Lord Tatpurush 1.1.12 Lord Aghoresh 1.1.13 Lord Ishaan 1.1.14 The Origin of Shiva Linga
1.2 Linga Purana Part 2: This section contains 13 sub-sections
1.2.1 Lord Shiva Blesses Brahma and Vishnu 1.2.2 The Manifestation of Lord Brahma 1.2.3 Lord Brahma Becomes the Creator 1.2.4 Description of Different Kalpas 1.2.5 Incarnations of Shiva During Various Dvapar Yugas 1.2.6 Rituals of Shiva-Linga Worship (Purity) 1.2.7 Lord Shiva Tests the Patience of Sages 1.2.8 Sage Shweta 1.2.9 Sage Eulogizes Lord Shiva 1.2.10 Lord Shiva Preaches the Sages 1.2.11 Dadhichi Subjugates the Sages (Kshoopa) 1.2.12 Kshoopa Accepts Defeat 1.2.13 Shilad’s Impossible Demand
1.3 Linga Purana Part 3: This section contains 13 sub-sections
1.3.1 The Characteristics of the Four Eras 1.3.2 Kali Yuga 1.3.3 Manifestation of Lord Brahma 1.3.4 Manifestation of Lord Nandishwar 1.3.5 The Nether World 1.3.6 The Seven Islands 1.3.7 Bharat Varsh 1.3.8 The Meru Mountain 1.3.9 The Prominent Mountains 1.3.10 The Sun 1.3.11 Lord Brahma assigns lordships to the Deities .1.3.12 The Chariots of the Sun, Moon and Planets 1.3.13 The Radiance of Surya
1.4 Linga Purana Part 4: This section contains 12 sub-sections
1.4.1 Dhruva – The Supreme Devotee 1.4.2 The Origin of Deities 1.4.3 Sage Parashar 1.4.4 The Lineage of Aditya 1.4.5 The Yadu Dynasty 1.4.6 Sri Krshna 1.4.7 Lord Brahma blesses the Demons 1.4.8 Appointment of Andhak as Lord of the Ganas 1.4.9 The Liberation of Earth 1.4.10 Killing of Jalandhar 1.4.11 The Origin of Lord Ganesh 1.4.12 Shiv Tandav
1.5 Linga Purana Part 5: This section contains 13 sub-sections
1.5.1 Upamanyu 1.5.2 The Greatness of Dwadashakshar Mantra 1.5.3 Shadakshar Mantra 1.5.4 Lord Pashupati 1.5.5 The Majestic Lord Maheshwar 1.5.6 The Sun – Manifestation of Shiva’s Power 1.5.7 Shiva Tatva 1.5.8 The Greatness of Shiva 1.5.9 The Importance of the Guru 1.5.10 The Rituals of Initiation 1.5.11 Installation of Shiva Linga 1.5.12 Vrajeshwari Vidya 1.5.13 Different Types of Yoga
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