1) SHIVA MAHAPURANA: INTRODUCTION

SHIVA MAHAPURANA: INTRODUCTION First of all, Sage Shaunak expressed his desire to Suta about knowing the means, which could help a man in this era of Kali to attainment lord Shiva, by cleansing all the impurities of his mind and rectifying his inherent demonic tendencies. Suta then described about Shiva…

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60) Exploring the Divine Power of Lord Vishnu, the Almighty God

Describing  about  the  superiority of  Lord  Vishnu  among  the  trinity  Gods’  Sage  Vashishtha narrated the following tale–During ancient times, Swayambhuva manu had once gone to Mandarachal mountain to perform a yagya. Many scholars and learned men had come to attend that yagya. Very soon, they got into a debate as…

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57) ANIRUDHA MARRIES USHA

Lord Mahadeva continued with the divine tales of Sri Krishna–O Parvati! Sri Krishna had a son from Rukmini whose name was ‘Aniruddha’. Aniruddha was very brave and had killed a demon named Shambasur. There is an interesting tale how Aniruddha married Usha. Once, Usha–the daughter of Banasur, saw a very…

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49) SRI RAMA GROWS UP

Continuing with the tale of Sri Rama, Lord Mahadeva told Parvati–Dasharath requested Vashishtha to perform the Jatkarm Sanskar of Sri Rama. In course of time Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata–an incarnation of Panchajanya conch. Similarly, Sumitra gave birth to two sons– Lakshman and Shatrughan. Lakshman was the incarnation of Sheshnag…

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48) SRI RAMA’S BIRTH

Describing about Sri Rama’s incarnation Lord Mahadeva told Parvati–‘Once, Swayambhuva Manu had expressed his desire of having Lord Vishnu as his son to which Lord Vishnu had agreed. During Treta Yuga Manu manifested himself as Dasharath and Vishnu kept his promise by taking birth as his son–Sri Rama. Similarly, during…

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46) NRISIMHA–INCARNATION

Continuing with the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Lord Mahadeva told Parvati — Sage Kashyapa had two mighty sons from Diti–Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha had once carried the earth to Rasatala. The deities requested Lord Vishnu to rescue the earth. Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of a boar and killed…

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45) THE INCARNATIONS OF MATSYA AND KURMA

Once, goddess Parvati expressed her desire to know about all the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Lord Mahadeva replied– Lord Brahma had created numerous Prajapatis like Bhrigu, Marichi, Atri, Daksha, Kardam, Pulastya, Pulaha, Angira and Kratu. Marichi was the father of Kashyapa. Sage Kashyapa had four wives–Aditi, Diti, Kadru and Vinta.Aditi…

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44) VAIKUNTH–THE ABODE OF LORD VISHNU

Describing about the grandeur of Vaikunth, Lord Shiva told Parvati–A person who has total devotion in Vishnu attains to Vaikunth after his death. Vaikuntha is the abode of Vishnu and constitutes of numerous Janapadas. The magnificence of Vaikunth is beyond description and it houses  many grand  palaces  fully decorated with …

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39) UTTAR – KHAND BADRIKASHRAMA

Once, on being asked by the sages about the greatness of Badrikasharama, Suta narrated the same tale, which Lord Shiva had once told sage Narada — Lord Mahadeva had told Narada that altogether there were one lakh and twenty-five thousand mountains   and   Badrikashrama   was   supreme   among   them.   Lord   Mahadeva   said—…

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30) PATAL KHAND – RAVANA– THE MIGHTY DEMON

People of Ayodhya lived peacefully during Sri Rama’s reign until one fateful day when they were struck by a bad news–Sri Rama had abandoned Sita after a Washerman leveled an unfair charge against her character. Such was the greatness of Sri Rama that opinion of each and every individual was…

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25) SWARGA KHANDA – JAMBUMARG, RIVER NARMADA AMARKANTAK

Continuing with his narration, Sage Vashishtha said— A man desirous of going on a pilgrimage should first of all visit Jambumarg, because it is revered even by the deities and the sages. By visiting this holy place a man acquires virtue equivalent to the accomplishment of an Ashwamedha Yagya and…

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16) THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RUDRAKSHA, AMLA AND TULSI

 Once, while describing about the importance of Rudraksha to the sages, Vyasa said— One who wears a Rudraksha rosary is supreme among all human beings. The mere sight of such a holy man absolves people of their sin. A Rudraksha bead bears features of a Linga and yoni on its…

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12) MANIFESTATION OF GANESH AND KARTIKEYA

Once, before taking her bath, goddess Parvati anointed unguent on her body and while removing it created a human form from the accumulated dross. The head of this human form resembled an elephant. Parvati then playfully immersed the human-form into river Ganga. But, to her sheer amazement the human form…

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6) SATI GIVES UP HER LIFE

On being enquired by Bhisma about the reason why Sati gave up her life, Sage Pulastya narrated the following tale — Once, Daksha Prajapati had organised a grand yagya in which he had invited everybody except Lord Shiva. This Yagya was presided over by four prominent sages—Vashishtha, Angika, Brihaspati and…

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68) KING PRITHU AND THE SURYA DYNASTY

 Bhisma enquired Sage Pulastya about the mighty King Prithu upon whom the earth was named as Prithvi. Sage Pulastya replied—Anga-Prajapati was the descendant of Swayambhuva Manu and Sunitha was his wife. In course of time, Sunitha gave birth to a son, who was named Vena. After growing up, Vena turned…

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WORSHIPPING THE IDOL OF SHIVA

WORSHIPPING THE IDOL OF SHIVA It has been mentioned in the sixteenth chapter of Viddyeshwar Samhita that all the desires of a man are completely fulfilled, if he worship even in earthen idol of Shiva. For making an idol of Shiva, clay should be acquired from the base of river,…

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THE EMERGENCE OF RUDRAVATAR AND CREATION

THE EMERGENCE OF RUDRAVATAR  AND CREATION Brahma said to Narada- “When I accomplished my penance, Lord Shiva manifested in his incarnation of Rudra from in between the eyebrows. Half of his body resembled like that of a  woman (Ardhanarishwar). I requested him help me in my creational activities.  Rudra created…

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GUNANIDHI – THE BRAHMINS’ SON

GUNANIDHI – THE BRAHMINS’ SON Narada asked lord Brahma, when did lord Shiva make Kailash as his abode and what was the reason of friendship between Shivaji and Kubera. Brahma narrated the following story- – There used to live a brahmin by the name Yagyadutt in  Kampilyanagar, who was proficient…

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8) CHAPTER EIGHT TALE OF THE KING VENA AND PRITHU

Parashar says- ” With the help of Dhruva, his wife gave birth to two sons- Sishti and Bhavya. Sishti had five sons- Ripu, Ripunjay, Vipra, Vikal and Vrikteja. Ripu had a brilliant son Chakshush. Chakshush had a son Manu. Manu had sons- Puru, Kuru, Shatadyumna, Tapasvi, Satyavan, Suchi, Agnishtome, Atiratra,…

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IMPORTANCE OF NAIVEDYA AND BILVA-LEAVES

IMPORTANCE OF NAIVEDYA AND BILVA-LEAVES Suta then described about the important of Naivedya offered to Lord Shiva. “A devotee gets liberated from all of his sins merely at the sight of the Naivedya, which have been offered to lord Shiva. He attains great virtues by having the Prasada.” A man…

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RITUALS OF THE WORSHIP OF SHIVA—SACRED PILGRIMAGES

RITUALS OF THE WORSHIP OF SHIVA—SACRED PILGRIMAGES On the request of the sages, Suta describes about the methods of worshipping Shivalinga. He says– “One should construct a Shivalinga either of mud, rock or metal and establish it in such a place where it can be worshipped daily without any hindrance.”…

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THE ORIGIN OF KAILASH AND VAIKUNTH

THE ORIGIN OF KAILASH AND VAIKUNTH Brahma revealed to Narada how the process of creation commenced- “After Lord Shiva vanished from our sight, I transformed myself into the appearance of a swan and Vishnu transformed his appearance into that of a boar with the purpose of commencing the process of…

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GREATNESS OF SHIVALINGA — PILLAR OF FIRE — OMKAR

GREATNESS OF SHIVALINGA–PILLAR OF FIRE– OMKAR According to Suta, if a person is incapable of following the above mentioned three activities i.e. Shravana, Kirtan and Manan then he should worship the Shivalinga. Even by doing this he can attain liberation from all the bondages of the world. Describing about the…

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VICTORY OF NARADA OVER ‘KAMA’

VICTORY OF NARADA OVER ‘KAMA’ Once upon a time a Narada was performing a penance in the cave of Himalaya mountain. Indra becoming fearful sent Kamadev to obstruct his penance. But Kamadeva was unsuccessful in his attempt as the place where Narada was doing penance was the same place where…

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VIDYESHWAR SAMHITA

SAGES ENQUIRE  Viddyeshwar Samhita which is classified into twenty five chapters, has a  narration in its first chapter which goes as follows-  Once upon a time, the sages were performing a yagya at Prayag kshetra. Sage Suta came to know about this and arrived there. All the sages were very…

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CHAPTER FIVE CREATION OF RUDRA AND OF LAKSHMI

In the beginning of Kalpa when Brahma was thinking about a son, who would be like him in virtues, a boy with reddish-blue body appeared in his lap. Brahma addressed the boy with names like Rudra, Bhava, Shiv, Ibhan, Pashupati, Bhima, Ugra and Mahadeva. Brahma also fixed Surya, water, earth,…

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IMPORTANCE OF RUDRAKSHA

IMPORTANCE OF RUDRAKSHA Rudraksha is very dear to lord Shiva and hence all the sins of a man get destroyed if he chants the name of Lord Shiva using a Rudraksha beads. He also attains salvation after his death. It is believed that the origin of Rudraksha is connected with…

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