By Swami Harshananda
Mānuṣa-liṅga literally means ‘śivaliṅga made by human beings’.
Lord Śiva is worshiped in the form of a liṅga, an emblem with a rounded surface, cylindrical in shape. Liṅgas are classified into several varieties, of which the mānuṣa-linga is also one. It is defined as a liṅga prepared by the mānavas or human beings and worshiped by them. The iconographical works give all the details needed to prepare such a liṅga. The ritualistic processes for installing the liṅga in a temple are given by the Śaivāgamas which are religious texts dealing with the worship of Lord Śiva.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore