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Jitendra Nath Banerjee, in his book The Development of Hindu 93

Iconography, explains Vyakta as an image which is either anthropomorphic or partly theriomorphic in form. Here Banerjee gives another category of such idols a Vyaktavyakta also. It is an image which combines the characteristics of an adorned sculptured form of an idol (Vyakta) and a form not worked by human agency such as Salagrama and Banalinga. T.A. Gopinatha Rao states that the Mukhalinga is one of the varieties of Manusalingas (Plate No. VII.7). The latter type consists of those set up by human hands. They are made in accordance with the rules as described in Agamas. The characteristic feature of the Mukhalinga is that it should be made on the Pujabhaga of the Sarvasamalinga. It should have one, two, three, four or five faces. If the central shrine has only one door three-faced Linga is preferred there. If there are four doors to the central shrine, these should have four faced Linga. Among the Manusalingas, there are two special types of Lingas named Astottarasatalinga and Sahasralinga. In the former type 108 miniature Lingas are required to be carved on the Pujabhaga of the Linga. In the latter type the carving of the 94

thousand and one Lingas should be done on the surface of the Pujabhaga. It is of two types, Vyakta and Avyakta. If the sanctum sanctorum has only one door the Linga with three faces is preferrable. If the central Shrine has four doors it is acceptable that Linga with four faces. The worshipping area of the Linga is divided into three and the middle portion is used for making the facial remarks. The crown is on upper part and the neck and hands are made in the lower portion. In the face must have three eyes with three pupils and also with the fore-head and eyebrows. The ears and the neck are to be done as the beauty increases. The worshipping part of the Linga may be divided into six also. The author of SNsays that there is no other way to the making of Mukhalinga. Eventhough he says in elaborately that the Brahma portion is also consumed for making the Mukhalinga. The Brahma portion is divided into nine and five parts are discarded. The remaining four parts are also used for making the Mukha. Over 95

this face there may be a chance for making the crown. By this four faced Mukhalinga is carved. If one desires to make three faces on Brahma portion again it is divided into nine and four portions are cut off. Using the remaining five portions three faces with two hands for all these three faces can be made. Single-faced Mukhalinga in the Brahma portion is also made frequently. Sometimes it may be two-faced. There also, as mentioned above the face should be carved with forehead, eyebrows, Jata, moon, the pleasing face and made very charm with the lock of hair.