India, the home of Phallic-worship—Linga described—The bull Nandi—Linga puja—Large and small lingams—Antiquity of Linga-puja—Growth of the Hindu Pantheon—Siva the destroyer—Sacred bulls—Shrine of Ek Linga—Legend relating to rivers—The Churning of the sea—Variety of forms of Siva—Deities of India—Origin of the Universe—Hindu Triad—Aum and O’M—Jupiter Genitor—Attributes of Siva—Worship of Osiris—Identity of Egyptian, Grecian and Indian deities—Hindu temples—Ceremonies.
Hindu evidence respecting the origin of Phallic worship—Legend of the wounded Hara—The four sects of worshippers instituted by Brahma—Resumption of the Lingam by Siva—Siva and Parvati propitiated—Visit of Bhrigu to Siva—The Lainga Puran on the Origin of Lingam worship—Abolition of worship of Brahma—Moral character of Hindu worship—-Profligate sects—Egyptian phallus—Bacchus—Testimony of Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria—Dionysus—Directions for worship—Unsatisfactory legends—Legend of Bhima—The fourth avatar of Vishnu—Visit of Captain Mackenzie to the Pagoda at Perwuttum.
Representations of Siva—Siva’s quarrel with his father-in-law—Quarrel between Brahma and Vishnu—Misconduct of Siva—Bengal temples of Siva—Ancient linga idols—Siege of Somnath—Ferishtah’s history—The twelve great lingams—Account of the Viri-Sawas—The Jangamas—Legend of Ravuna.
The four kinds of stone lingas—Siva under a form called Muhakalu—Temporary images of Siva—Siva’s wives—Siva’s and Parvati’s quarrels—Siva and Doorga—Siva’s names—The heavens of Siva—Latsami—Power of the priests—Tamil poetry—Indecent worship—Dancing girls at religious ceremonies—Christian and Pagan idolatry—Religious prostitution—Worship of the female—Development of indecent practices—Sakti-puja.
Further account of Right-hand and Left-hand worship—The practices of the Vamis or Vamacharis—The rite of Mantra Sadhana—Ceremony of Sri-Chakra—Claims of the priests to supernatural power—Legends.
