Thanks to Pawan Sayam Gond for putting together exquisite images and his notes on Facebook.
aṣṭāśri yūpa 'eight-corner pillar' is an integral part of Śivalinga. The same shape finds expression in a fire-altar discovered in Binjor, on the banks of Sarasvati River, near Anupgarh.
I have posited that the octagonal shape of the linga is sourced from the Skambha,Yupa used in Soma Samstha yajna described in the veda texts. This is the pillar of flame, fire and light which infuses carbon element into molten metal to harden it. A celebration and veneration of an extraordinary metallurgical process of our Pitr̥-s. See 19 Yupas with inscriptions proclaiming performance of such yajna. The yuipas are octagonal in shape.aṣṭāśri is the term in the Veda.
See: Nr̥simha signifying a Skambha, Yupa with caṣāla 'wheat chaff' carbon infusion
https://www.academia.edu/…/Nr_simha_signifying_a_Skambha_Yu…
aṣṭāśri yūpa is a ketu, a sign of proclamation, of performance of Soma Samstha Yajna. Nineteen such pillars have been found all over India and in Borneo, incribed by Mūlavarman. This is an addendum to:
[quote] Pawan Sayam Gond
This new Kurukshetra of SE Asia remained a spiritual centre for sanskrit of Kambuja Desa for ~1000 yrs till the decline of Hinduism. On side note: read this Kurukshetra Mahatmya as inscribed on same ~1500 yrs old stele of king Devanika... But it wasn't like creating a new tirtha out of nowhere. There was a reason for Sanskritized ppl of the region to perceive it as holy. In 456CE Cham king Devanika issued an inscription recording consecration of the site near royal city Shreshthapur as Kurukshetra.
And it was the sanctity of mountain that was probably reflected in king's decision to consecrate the area as New Kurukshetra, A holy mt. known as Linga Parvata in ancient inscriptions of Laos, S E Asia. Note the natural linga (almost 10 meter high) on top of mt.! A new city called Linga puram was established nearby and a royal road directly linked this tirtha to new capital city of Angkor vat. Over time Khmer emperors endowed it with impressive temples, palaces tanks & roads. Today it is known as Vat Phou temple complex. Eventually it became the part of Khmer Empire of Kambuja Desa (modern Combodia) but the area retained same spiritual significance. All the structures were built in such a masterful manner so as to align entire complex with the Swayambhu linga on the top of the mountain.
A road flanked by lotus columns leading to the main shrine of Shiva on the mt. as if symbolizing journey from earth to heaven! Main shrine of Shiva on Lingaparvata. ShivaLinga consecrated in shrine was known as Bhadreshwara after the patron saint of Chams.
Some impressive carving on the walls of Vat phou complex 1)Indra on his Airavat 2)Kaliyadaman 3)Vishnu on Garuda 4)Shiva riding on Kala.Bronze image of Shiva and Parvati from the Vat Phou temple complex area. Large no. of Shiva Lingas were also found from the area. After the decline of Hinduism it vanished from the memory of the people and eventually converted into Thervada Buddhist temple.
However it shows how fame of Kurukshetra as important Sanakrit tirtha reached as far as South East Asia as early as 5th century/Gupta Age.And more than that it shows how well entrenched Sanskrit civilization was in South East Asia during ancient times. ------------- Courtesy by @@ #Adivaraha
10 Dec 2016 [unquote]
[quote]Standing at four ft tall, holding the pride of place among exhibits, the massive stone pillar is an awe-inspiring sight. On closer scrutiny, it is not a stone pillar but a Siva lingam and it is at the Museum of Vietnamese History, Hochi Minh city, Vietnam, and is a local find.
This isn’t some Vietnamese version of the Siva lingam, rather the one that has been perfectly sculpted as stipulated in the Agamas or the Iconographic canons.
The main stem of the Lingam that is seen here is paired with its pedestal called the Avudai to make up the lingam that one can see in all our temples. Further, the main stem of the lingam is made up of three distinct parts – the bottom most being square shaped denoting the Brahma Bagam, the middle being octagonal – Vishnu Bagam and the top most cylindrical, the Rudra Bagam. When matched with the Avudai, which is circular at the base and oval on top, with a hole bored through it in the middle to hold the stem, the Brahma Bagam would be below the Avudai, the Vishnu Bagam within it and the Rudra Bagam would be visible on top. The actual dimensions, proportions and further intricacies like inscribing the lines of the Brahma sutras are subjects of serious study but it is worthy to note that in the Vietnamese lingam, there is a face sculpted just above the Vishnu Bagam. Such are called Mukha Lingams though the Indian variants have more pronounced features.
For those who are already feeling heady it is worthy to point out that one of the world’s oldest Siva lingam is found in Gudimallam, situated about 21 kms from the Kalahasti temple. Dated between 2nd C BCE and 1st C BCE, this imposing Lingam measures an exact five ft in height and has one of most interesting sculptures carved on it.
The two armed figure, holds a ram by its hind legs with his right hand, holds a pitcher with his left hand and has an Axe slung over his left shoulder. The facial features are unique but for such an early date, the quality of the sculpture is splendid, especially the ornamentation, the necklace, earrings and detailing of the head dress.
Siva is standing on a massive demon, who is shown as kneeling down and supporting the weight with both his hands on his knees. His face is grotesque, ears are pointed like those of a bat and his cheeks marked with deep lines but he seems to be grinning with both rows of teeth exposed. His head dress and ornaments have been sculpted in style as well.
It is important to notice that this early Lingam does not have the three distinct bagams as advocated in the Agamas and thus the cannons must have evolved and crystallised sometime during the interim period.
(This monthly column that shares fascinating facts about various art and architectural splendours across the State, throws light on a Siva lingam seen in Vietnam)
--The Hindu, S. Vijay Kumar
18 JUNE 2015 18:00 IST
UPDATED: 18 JUNE 2015 18:28 IST
18 JUNE 2015 18:00 IST
UPDATED: 18 JUNE 2015 18:28 IST
Kurukshetra and Linga Parvata in Laos
