DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0081
Hinduism. General Observations, 69
of cooked and uncooked grain, sweetmeats and fruits, un-
dressed and put to sleep again like an ordinary man, while
the remains of the food offered (prasada) are eagerly con-
sumed by the priests and attendants K
And here I may point out that a great distinction is to
he made in regard to the comparative sanctity of different
kinds of symbols and images. Some are called svayambhu,
that is existing spontaneously, and are of their own nature
pervaded by the essence of the deity. These are either not
carved at all, or very slightly moulded into shape. They are
merely rough stones or rocks supposed to have descended
direct from heaven or to have appeared miraculously on the
soil. They are the most sacred of all material objects of
adoration, and when discovered, temples are built over them.
The most usual idols of this kind are stones supposed to
represent the Linga of Siva, and when shrines are built
round them, a Yoni is usually (though not always) added.
Not less sacred than these rough stones are certain small
pebbles found in rivers and polished by the action of the
water2. Of these the pebbles representing the Lihga of Siva,
called Bana-linga or Vana-linga, and apparently of white
quartz, are found in the bed of the Narbada river. The
black pebbles representing Vishnu or Krishna, called Sala-
grama (popularly sal-gram), and generally containing am-
monites imbedded in the stone, are chiefly found in the river
Gandaki. Both kinds of pebble are employed in the domestic
worship of Siva and Vishnu known as Pancayatana-puja (to
be afterwards described) and performed by householders in
their own houses. Both are held to be of their own nature
pervaded by the special presence of the deity and need no
1 This will account for the fact that few villagers can afford to keep
a temple dedicated to Krishna. The vestments, ornaments, decorations,
and paraphernalia needed are too expensive ; whereas all the requisites
for the worship of Siva are a stone linga, bilva leaves, and water.
2 Some of them appear to be artificially rounded and polished.
of cooked and uncooked grain, sweetmeats and fruits, un-
dressed and put to sleep again like an ordinary man, while
the remains of the food offered (prasada) are eagerly con-
sumed by the priests and attendants K
And here I may point out that a great distinction is to
he made in regard to the comparative sanctity of different
kinds of symbols and images. Some are called svayambhu,
that is existing spontaneously, and are of their own nature
pervaded by the essence of the deity. These are either not
carved at all, or very slightly moulded into shape. They are
merely rough stones or rocks supposed to have descended
direct from heaven or to have appeared miraculously on the
soil. They are the most sacred of all material objects of
adoration, and when discovered, temples are built over them.
The most usual idols of this kind are stones supposed to
represent the Linga of Siva, and when shrines are built
round them, a Yoni is usually (though not always) added.
Not less sacred than these rough stones are certain small
pebbles found in rivers and polished by the action of the
water2. Of these the pebbles representing the Lihga of Siva,
called Bana-linga or Vana-linga, and apparently of white
quartz, are found in the bed of the Narbada river. The
black pebbles representing Vishnu or Krishna, called Sala-
grama (popularly sal-gram), and generally containing am-
monites imbedded in the stone, are chiefly found in the river
Gandaki. Both kinds of pebble are employed in the domestic
worship of Siva and Vishnu known as Pancayatana-puja (to
be afterwards described) and performed by householders in
their own houses. Both are held to be of their own nature
pervaded by the special presence of the deity and need no
1 This will account for the fact that few villagers can afford to keep
a temple dedicated to Krishna. The vestments, ornaments, decorations,
and paraphernalia needed are too expensive ; whereas all the requisites
for the worship of Siva are a stone linga, bilva leaves, and water.
2 Some of them appear to be artificially rounded and polished.