An Analytical Study of the Lingapurana

Abstract

The research objectives were to 1) conduct an analytical study of the Lingapurana and 2) conduct a socio-cultural study of the Lingapurana in some aspects, such as its cultural, religious, and philosophical principles and ethics. This research was documentary research using the research methodology of qualitative research by method and data analysis from documents by transliteration and translation, a review of concepts, theories, and related literature from Sanskrit, Thai, and English documentary evidence. The research results were as follows: 1) the Lingapurana contained the five general characteristics of the Mahapurana, viz., creation, dissolution, and re-creation; genealogy of gods; the ages of Manu; and genealogy and history of royal houses. and 2) The Lingapurana was divided into the "Tamasa Purana" group, which worshipped Lord Siva as the Supreme God. Thus, it described the evolution of Linga, a phallic form of Siva. It recorded the tradition of the rise of the Linga cult, the modes of worshipping Linga, and the principles of its ritual. Furthermore, the Lingapurana detailed the procedure of religious and philosophical principles as a means of achieving the ultimate goal, namely, the absorption of the personal soul into the supreme soul-Lord Siva.