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RELIGIOUS SECTS
ancient object of homage adopted in India subsequently to the ritual of the VEDAS, which was chiefly, if not wholly, addressed to the elements, and particularly to Fire. How far the worship of the Linga is authorised by the VEDAS, is doubtful, but it is the main purport of several of the Puránas'. There can be not doubt of its universality at the period of the Mohammedan invasion of India. The idol destroyed by MAHMUD of Ghizni was nothing more than a Linga, being, according to MIRKHOND, a block of stone four or five cubits long and of proportionate thickness 2.
lating to actual practice better authority cannot be desired. (Vindication, Part 1st, 99, and more particularly Part 2d, 135.)
1 The Skanda Purána, which contains the Kási Khanda, particularly inculcates the worship of SIVA in this form; so do the Sira, Brahmanda, and Linga Puranas.
"The following is the passage from the Rauzat us Ssafá alluded to:
و آن خانه در سومنات در آنجا بود طول و عرض تمام داشت چنان که پنجاه و شش ستون و قایه سقف آن درده بودند و سومنات صنمی بود از سنگ تراشیده طولش مقدار پنج گرو عرض آن ظاهر و دو گز در زیر زمین مخفي و يمين الدوله محمود ببتخانه در آمده با گرز گران سنگ سمنات را در هم شکست و مقداری از آن سندرا فرمود تا بار درده بغزنین میبردند و در
استانه مسجد جامع بینداختند
siderable extent, both in length and supported by fifty-six pillars in rows. stone, its height was about five cubits,
"The temple in which the Idol of Somnath stood was of conbreadth, and the roof was The Idol was of polished and its thickness in pro
