s. m, The male organ; the genital organ of Shiva, or Mahádev worshipped in the form of a Phallus. This is usually of stone or marble, and is in the form of the yoní liṇgum. Formerly there were twelve principal Shiv liṇgás in India of which the most famous were at Somnáth in Guzerat, Mahákuṇdá at Ujjain and Visvesara at Benares. It is the favourite representation of the god. The liṇgá is often made of mud by worshippers and thrown into the water at the couclusion of the worship. It is also used as an amulet or charm, and is then made of the precious metals or engraven on gems: the leg; gender:—istrí liṇg, s. f. The feminine gender, the female pudenda:—puliṇg, pumliṇg, s. m. The masculine gender:—liṇg purán, s. m. One of the eighteen Puráns. In it Shiva who is supposed to be present in the great fiery Agní liṇgá, gives an account of the creation, and of his own incarnations in opposition to those of Vishnu.