Read Linga Purana Part 2 of 2 – Linga Purana in English

Synopsis of Linga Purana, Linga Purana Part 2, Lord Shiva, Shiva Sahasranama, Pasupata Vrata, Sarabha, Jalandhara, Motilal Banarsidass, Hindu Puranas, Vedic Rituals, Mahadana, Upamanyu, Aghora Mantra, Sarabha incarnation, Linga installation, Mahadana gifts, Triyambaka mantra, Hindu sacred texts

The Linga Purana Part 2 concludes Section I (Chapters 96–108) and presents the complete Section II (Chapters 1–55) of this sacred Mahapurana.

• Section I (Chapters 96–108): Highlights central Shaiva legends demonstrating Lord Śiva’s cosmic supremacy and protective grace. Narrative arcs include Śiva assuming the mythical Śarabha manifestation to pacify Vişņu’s ferocious Narasimha incarnation, the vanquishing of the demon Jalandhara, Vişņu’s worship of Śiva using 1,000 lotus flowers and the recitation of the 1,000 names of Śiva (Śiva Sahasranāma) to receive the Sudarśana Chakra, the destruction of Dakşa’s sacrifice and Kāma, Umā’s penance, the origin of Vināyaka (Ganesha), Śiva’s Tāņdava dance, the story of Upamanyu, and the spiritual merits of the Pāśupata Vrata. 
• Section II (Chapters 1–55): Focuses on theology, ritual manual procedures, and philosophy. It covers the greatness of Nārāyaņa/Vişņu, Sage Nārada’s attainment of the science of music, the origin and traits of Alakşmī, and sacred chants such as the twelve-syllabled and eight-syllabled mantras. The text systematically expounds Śiva’s cosmic nature—including the Eight Bodies (Aştamūrti), the Five Brahmans, and the supreme Śiva principle. It serves as an exhaustive manual for Linga installation, Pāśupata initiation, Aghora worship, fire rituals, and sixteen major charitable gifts (Mahādānas) such as golden trees, cows, land, and sesame mountains. It concludes with mantric procedures, including the Vajreśvarī Vidyā and methods to conquer death using the Triyambaka mantra. 

Traditionally, the compilation of the Linga Purana is attributed to the sage Vedavyāsa (Vyāsa). Within the narrative of the text itself, it is recited by his disciple, the sage Romaharshaṇa (Sūta), to the gathered ascetics and the divine sage Nārada in the Naimisha forest.

For the modern published edition titled The Linga Purana Part 2 (Volume 5 of the Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology series by Motilal Banarsidass):

• Editor: Prof. J. L. Shastri 
• Translators: A Board of Scholars 
• Sanskrit Text Collation: Derived from the collation published by Kşemarāja Śrīkrşņadāsa 

The Linga Purana has been published in various languages, formats, and translations by several major publishing houses:

• Motilal Banarsidass (MLBD): Publishes the widely cited, unabridged English translation across Volumes 5 and 6 of the Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology series, edited by Prof. J. L. Shastri.
• Khemraj Shrikrishnadass / Venkateshwar Steam Press: Published foundational Sanskrit collations and classical print editions that served as primary reference texts for subsequent translations.
• Gita Press, Gorakhpur: Publishes popular Hindi translations, abridged versions, and narrative summaries designed for general readers and devotional study.
• Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office / Chowkhamba Academic Press: Offers scholarly Sanskrit editions, often accompanied by traditional commentaries and Hindi translations.
• Nag Publishers: Produces Sanskrit text editions alongside Hindi/English notes aimed at academic and research institutions.
• Mansukhray Mor (Gurumandal Series): Published historic Sanskrit compilations of the Purana as part of their comprehensive Puranic series.

The Śarabha Incarnation: Details Śiva manifesting as Śarabha (an eight-legged bird-lion hybrid) to restrain Vişņu’s Narasimha form after the destruction of Hiranyakasipu.

Śiva Sahasranāma & Sudarśana Chakra: Contains the 1,000 names of Lord Śiva chanted by Lord Vişņu to obtain the divine Sudarśana Chakra created during the conflict with Jalandhara.

Nārada and Musicology: Features a distinct treatise on how Sage Nārada achieved mastery over the science of Indian classical music (Gandharvaveda).

Origin and Attributes of Alakşmī: Outlines the birth, inauspicious characteristics, and places associated with Alakşmī (the counterpart of Lakşmī).

Comprehensive Mahādāna Manual: Provides exact liturgical blueprints for conducting major ritual donations (Mahādānas), including gifting golden cows, horses, kalpa trees, land, and gingelly seed mountains.

Tantric Liturgy & Conquering Death: Details precise instructions for Linga consecration, Tattva placement, Aghora mantra mastery, Jīvacchrāddha, and Mrityunjaya practices with the Triyambaka mantra.

Shaiva-Vaishnava Synthesis: Demonstrates the deep theological unity between Śiva and Viṣṇu, depicting Viṣṇu worshipping Śiva while Śiva affirms Viṣṇu as His own non-different cosmic essence.

Authoritative Liturgical Reference: Acts as a primary guidebook for spiritual practitioners, priests, and scholars studying classical Hindu temple consecrations, Linga worship, and Pāśupata vows.

Cultural & Musicological Insights: Offers valuable historical material on ancient music theory, traditional ethics, and socio-religious gift-giving customs.

Spiritual Benefits: The text asserts that listening to or studying these chapters eliminates miseries, removes fear of death, subdues obstacles, and grants ultimate liberation (Rudra-hood).