shiva purana episode 12

Nandikeshwara says. Shiva blessed Brahma and Vishnu, who were thus humbled, and then revived their respective armies, which had died in their war, with the nectar of his special power. Then, he said this to dispel their foolishness and enmity. O Brahma-Vishnu, I have two forms, complete and incomplete. That is, being with form and being without form. No one else has two such forms. Therefore, all others are not ishwaras. First, O Vatsare, my formless pillar form was shown to you. Then this embodied form of mine was shown to you. These two forms and forms are available only to me, and no one else. Therefore, ishwaratva is also available only to me. Neither to you nor to the other gods.

Therefore, without knowing this principle of mine, you boasted out of ignorance that I am ishawr, I am ishwar. Therefore, to dispel this kind of feeling of yours, I appeared on the battlefield. Therefore, abandon this kind of bad feeling. Have the mind that I am ishwar. It is by My grace that everything in the worlds shines. Without My grace, nothing shines. The Guru's words are the proof of this. To understand the Brahma principle, the Guru's teachings are essential. This Brahma principle is very secret. I am telling you this Brahma idea out of love for you. Listen. I am the Supreme Brahman. My form is also, as mentioned earlier, is completely pure. Since Brahman is in me, the act of bestowing blessings is mine. O Brahma and Vishnu, I am the form of the soul, having a great form, pervading all the bodies of man, and being equal to all.

Since I have divinity and it is eternal for me, no one else has such special power. That is why, for the understanding that I am Brahman, I emerged from the formless, formless form of the Linga. Then, in order to show you My divine nature, which no one knows, I took on a physical form and appeared before you in an instant. Therefore, you should know that the divine nature of the body is also within Me. This formless Brahman (pillar) which is my Brahman, has the characteristics of a linga, so it will become a linga. O son, worship it daily. Wherever such a Linga is installed, I will go and stay there. Although I am not a person who lives only in one place, I have a special presence in the Linga installed in this way. If one establishes such a linga, then one attains my equality. If two linga are established, then one becomes one with me. This is the result. The linga should be established as the main one. The area where the idol is established is not as great if it does not have the linga. The area where the linga is respected is the greatest. Here ends the ninth chapter of the Videshwara Samhita in the Sri Shiva Purana.

Brahma and Vishnu said: - Oh! Lord! Tell us your five acts, including creation. Then Shiva said: - Oh Brahma and Vishnu, I will tell you my most secret five acts out of kindness towards you. O Brahma-Vishnu, creation, fostering, destruction, controlling and blessing. These are my five actions. These are always ready for me, that is, the actions that are always with me, The beginning of samsara (in the world or the universe) is the first act of 'creation' the second one ‘fostering’ is carried out in which samsara has been created for some time. Finally, the destruction of samsara (the world) is called 'samhara'. Again, 'controlling' is the act of bringing the animals of the world back to the right path, rather than going on the evil path. In this way, it is considered a blessing to release beings who have followed the righteous path from samsara. These are my five (five) actions. The four acts of creation are the ones that flourish in samsara. The fifth, liberation, is fixed in me and is the means for liberation for living beings. That is, liberation means residing in me.

These five actions will be manifested to my devotees in the five elements. Just as the act of creation is on earth, the act of fostering is on water, and the act of destruction is on fire, the grace of the principle of non-violence, the act of non-violence, will be in the air, and similarly grace will be in the sky. Just as everything is born on earth, beings born in this way will develop from water. Fire destroys. Air removes (uproots). Everything in the sky is blessed. In this way, the wise understand.

I will have five faces to perform the five actions mentioned above. Four faces in the four directions and my fifth face in the middle. Shiva continued “O Vatsas, you have attained the ability to perform the two functions of creation and existence through penance. Pleased with your penance, I have bestowed upon you the two most beloved to Me, creation and existence. Similarly, Rudra and Maheshwara have attained the powers of destruction and controlling through penance. The fifth act of grace is something that no one else can attain, that is, the work that I perform myself. All of this has come to you long ago. You have forgotten your deeds, but Rudra and Maheshwara have not forgotten their deeds.

O Vatsara, because of my lack of meditation, you have become ignorant in this way. If you had had knowledge of me, you would not have become like this. That is, you would not have had the ego of thinking that I am the Self. You would have acquired form and honor like me. Therefore, O Brahma and Vishnu, chant my mantra 'Omkara' to attain my knowledge, that is, to know my nature. From now on, if you chant in this way, ego will be destroyed and wisdom will arise. This Om, my mantra, is my original mantra and is auspicious. I will now teach you this. This Om has arisen from my mouth. It teaches my principle, this Om speaks my thoughts. This mantra is me. If you always remember this, it will be as if you have remembered me. The first letter hidden in this Omkara, 'A'kara, came from my north face, 'U'kara from my west face, and 'M'kara from my south face. That is, the letter 'o' (am) was also born from my east face. The 'nada', that is, the end of the last sound of Om, emerged from the middle mouth. Thus, it was formed in five ways and when it was born, it became the single letter 'Om'.

All the worlds, both physical and spiritual, and the five elements are pervaded by this Omkara and imparted with the power of Shiva. It is believed that from this Omkara, the five-syllable mantra, which teaches all forms, was also born, the five-syllable mantra 'Namah Shivaya' was born. Later, all the Vedas were born from this five-letter mantra. Then, crores of mantras arose. With the completion of each mantra, the fruits of each deity are completed. But with this five-letter mantra everything is completed This five-syllable Moola Mantra of mine brings about both bliss and salvation. All other mantras, in reality, grant only bliss. Nandikeshwara says:- Then the Supreme Lord, accompanied by Parvati, the world-renowned Guru, covered Brahma and Vishnu with a cloth, so that they would not be seen by others. Then, facing north, He taught them the five-letter mantra in the form of 'Om', placing His lotus-like hands on their heads.

At that time, Brahma and Vishnu chanted the mantra three times. He conveyed the ideas to them along with the mantra-yantras. Then, he made both of them, who were his disciples, sit on his right side. Then Brahma and Vishnu stood near Shiva with folded hands and spoke thus about him, the greatest of gods and the teacher of the world, shiva Brahma and Vishnu say: - O formless one! Salutations to you, O Shiva. Salutations to you, O formless one, Salutations to you, O Lord of all, salutations to you. Salutations to you, the god who is the voice of Om, the worshipper of Om. Salutations to you, the creator of creation. Salutations to you, the five-faced one. Salutations to you, the five forms of Brahma, salutations to you, the one who carries out five actions, salutations to you, the form of the soul, Brahman with the infinite qualities and powers. Salutations to you, the embodied and the incorporeal form, the Guru and the Shambhu. Thus Brahma and Vishnu praised Shiva with verses and saluted him.

shiva purana episode 11

Meanwhile, Maha Vishnu, who had grown tired of reaching the base of the pillar, also arrived there. Seeing Maha Vishnu thus arriving, Brahma danced with great joy. Lord Bramha lied to lord vishnu: O Hari! I saw the top of the pillar. He continued "This Ketaki flower is the witness," the Ketaki flower lied, saying, "Yes, yes." Brahma said, "I saw the top of the pillar." Then Sri Hari, thinking that it was true, bowed down to that Brahma. Then he worshipped him with various auspicious rituals. At this time, to punish the liar Brahma, Lord shiva appeared in a form from a pillar of fire. Seeing Shiva who had appeared unexpectedly, Vishnu held Shiva's feet with trembling hands.

Being ignorant, we, who are inferior to you, went to findout the beginning and the end of this pillar thinking that we are great. Therefore, be pleased with us. O All-Merciful One, forgive our mistake. We, who are not free, would not be able to do this, he said. O son of Hari, even though you have a desire to become a god, you have spoken the truth about the pillar of fire, so from now on you will be respected and worshipped by people just like me. From now on, you will have different ceremonies and festivals in different places, just like me. Here ends the seventh chapter of the first Vidhyveshwara Samhita of the Shiva Purana. Nandikeshwar said - Then Mahadeva created a very wonderful man named Bhairava to hide the glory of Brahma from between his eyebrows. Bhairava, who was thus created, immediately bowed down to the Lord of the Universe and prayed, "What should I do here? Immediately, O Lord, command me."

Then God said this about Bhairava: "O Vatsa! This Brahma standing before you is the first god in the world. Definitely axe him with your sharp sword, that is, cut him." Immediately after saying this, Bhairava grabbed the hair of the fifth head of the one who had spoken the untruth (Brahma), cut off that head of his pride, and then waved his extremely sharp sword to cut off the remaining heads. Then, O Sanatkumar, all the clothes, ornaments, and garlands that your father had adorned himself with became disarrayed. Even his hair was tousled. Trembling like a soft vine caught in a storm, he fell at the lotus feet of Bhairava. Then, seeing this scene, Vishnu, being very compassionate, sprinkled the lotus feet of our Lord Shiva with his tears and, paying homage, spoke thus, just as children speak in a babble manner to their father.

Achyuta says O God! Didn't you yourself grant this Brahma five heads as a sign of the Lord of the world? Therefore, now forgive his mistake. Show him favor. In this way, Ishvara stopped Bhairava from punishing Brahma. Then lord shiva spoke thus about Brahma, who was a liar and had lost his fifth head: You have practiced deceit out of greed and stubbornness, wanting to become God. Therefore, you should not be worshipped in the world, your ceremonies cannot be celebrated. You cannot have a good position either. Then Brahma said: "O Lord, who is endowed with all the divine powers, be pleased with me now. You must know that it was good that what you did was right." O Jagadbandhu, the cause of the entire world, we bow to you. You who forgive all mistakes, you who have Mount Meru as your bow. We bow to you. God said, "If there is no fear of the kings, the whole world will be destroyed. Therefore, O son of the king, you must punish the criminals and save the world." And now I will give you a rare and great boon, take it, especially in daily, sexual, domestic activities and sacrifices, you are the Guru. Moreover, if a homa is carried out without you, even if it is accompanied by Dakshina, it will not bear fruit, meaning that a sacrifice without you is useless. Later, God spoke thus about the Kedage flower, which was a liar and a false witness. You are the flower of all the Ketaki, you are wicked, you are a hypocrite, don't stay here and go away. From now on, you will not be a flower that is dear to me. Go away, not wanting my worship. After God spoke thus, the gods present there carried the kedage flower away from there, to another place. Then the Ketaki flower said. My Lord, I bow to you. Father, forgive me, remove my sins and make my birth worthwhile. All the crimes committed knowingly or unknowingly will be destroyed by your remembrance. So how can I bear the guilt of lying to you while I am having your darshan? Thus, in the assembly of the gods, the Lord, who was praised by the kedage flower, said, "Ketaki, I am truthful, my words can never be false. Therefore, you are not worthy of my affection." But, kedage flower, let my devotees wear you, so that your birth may be fruitful, and you will be above me in the form of a flag. Having thus been blessed and venerated, Shankara also blessed Brahma and Narayana and, being served by the gods in the midst of the assembly, the Supreme Lord ascended. Here ends the eighth chapter of the first Vidyeshwara Samhita in the Sri Shiva Purana. Nandikeshwara said, "At that time, both Brahma and Vishnu bowed down to God shiva and remained silent on his left and right, with their hands in reverence." Then, having seated Shiva and Parvati on a beautiful seat, they worshipped him and his family with the objects used by pious men. All the things they offered were also given separately to the deities who had gathered there to establish a tradition of righteousness by Lord Shiva, the benefactor of all.

Thus, when God gave things and the gods took them, there was a great commotion. Even there, God was worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu as before. After being worshipped in this way, God shiva was pleased and smiled at Brahma and Vishnu, who were standing with their heads bowed, and said: God said, "you both have worshipped me on this day. I am pleased with this. This day will henceforth be a great and auspicious day. Today's tithi (Chaturdashi) will be very dear to me and will be known as 'Shivratri'." On this sacred day of Shivaratri, whoever worships me with devotion, whether in the form of a linga or an idol, that person will create, sustain, and destroy the world. On this auspicious day of Shivaratri, one should worship me according to one's ability, day or night, restraining the senses, and without deceit. This kind of worship is so virtuous that one immediately attains the same merit by worshipping me on the day of Shivaratri as one would obtain by worshipping me continuously throughout the year. Just as the moonrise in the world is the cause of the development of the sea, so this auspicious day will be the cause of the development of my religion. My ceremonies and festivals on this day will be auspicious. On this day, on which I appeared before you in the form of a pillar, that day is the 'Aridra' star of the month of Marga Shersha. In this way, whoever sees Me, along with Parvati, in the sacred month of Margashirsha, in the form of My Linga or idol, will be dearer to Me than Subrahmanya. On this day, just by seeing the deity, you can get such results, but if you worship him especially, you cannot express the results by words. Such great merit will be attained. May this place, where I have borne the form of Linga in this battleground of Brahma and Vishnu, become famous and glorious as the place of Linga. O son, this pillar, which has no beginning or end, will henceforth be of a small form, convenient for people to behold and worship. This Linga, which gives all pleasures, is the means for Bhukti-Mukti. By seeing, touching, and meditating on this Linga, animals are freed from the bondage of samsara and attain liberation. From where did this Linga arise, shining like a mountain of fire? Therefore, this place will be well known by the name 'Arunachala'. Many great pilgrimages will arise in this area. Both those who lived here and those who died here will attain salvation. All auspicious events like chariot festivals will take place here and everywhere. People will live everywhere, and even if they donate or perform a homa here, it will yield crores of times more fruit.

This kshetra is greater than all my kshetras (Shiva kshetras). Only by remembering this kshetras will the body be liberated. Therefore, this kshetra will be considered the most excellent, and the most auspicious. All the good things will settle in this kshetra. Everyone will attain liberation in this kshetra. If you worship Me, the Lord of the linga form, and Me, the lover of the linga, in this realm, you will attain the world, His nearness, His own form, and His equal glory. (1) Salokya, (2) Samipya, (3) Sarupya, (4) Saashtri (5) Saayujya. (1) Salokya means having the Supreme Lord, (2) Samipya means close relationship with Shiva, (3) Sarupya means having the form of Shiva, (4) Saashtri means having the same honors as Shiva, (5) Saayujya means salvation that merges with Shiva. The five types of salvation that can be attained by joining him are available through the service of Shiva in this kshetra. O Brahma, Vishnu and other gods, you too should worship me in this Linga and quickly attain your desires.

shiva purana episode 10

The linga and idol worship of Shiva are auspicious as it gives both pleasure and salvation. Here the fifth chapter of Videshwara Samhita in Shivamahapurana has ended. Nandikeshwara says. Long ago, O Yogindra! Vishnu, was sleeping on the Shesha bed with his retinue. Suddenly, Brahma, the greatest of the Brahma-knowledgers, came there and questioned Vishnu, who was lying there, beautiful, with eyes as beautiful as lotuses. Who are you, O man? You lie down in pride even when you see me? Arise, O son of the house, and behold me, who has come as your master. If any person acts arrogantly to the guru such a one is a traitor to the Guru and a fool, and for such a person, penance has been prescribed. Although angry upon hearing such words, Hari did not show his anger but outwardly displayed calmness and said, "May you be blessed, O Vatsa. May you be welcomed. Sit on this seat." And why is your face so worried? And your eyes so restless, what is the reason for this? Brahma says. O son of Vishnu, you have become extremely proud due to the glory of time. You have forgotten that I am the father of this world and that I am the protector of the world

Vishnu replied “This world exists in me, but you are speaking lies like a thief” "You, who are born from my navel are my my son, you speak in vain," said Nandikeshwara. Speaking thus, Vishnu and Brahma were arguing there. They started fighting, arguing, "I am the greatest, I am the Lord, I am the greatest," and were determined to kill each other. The two heroes, Brahma and Vishnu, began to fight on their vehicles, the swan and the garuda. Then the armies of Vishnu and Brahma began to fight with each other. At that time, all the gods who had arrived there were in airplanes, watching the amazing battle. While watching from the sky, while showering flowers, Vishnu, the vehicle of Garuda, became angry and shot unbearable arrows and various weapons at Brahma's chest. Then Brahma also became angry and shot arrows similar to fire at Vishnu's chest. He also shot many weapons. Their battle was very amazing like this. The gods who were watching were amazed and worried about what would happen next. Then Vishnu became very angry and, distressed by the blows of Brahma's arrows, let out a sigh. Thus, Vishnu, enraged, used the Maheshwara weapon on Brahma. After that, Brahma also immediately used the Pasupata weapon, which was so fierce that the world trembled with fear, on Vishnu's chest. That Pasupata weapon also became like Maheshwara, and it was in the sky, equal to the brilliance of ten thousand suns. Those two weapons, which were said to have a thousand faces and were filled with a tremendous wind, were extremely terrifying to Brahmanarayana. The battle between Brahma and Vishnu that was taking place in this way caused confusion, sorrow, and surprise to the gods. Thus, they spoke as subjects speak when kings in the world are at war with each other. Then, salutations to the Supreme Lord shiva, who is in the form of Brahma, by whom creation, existence, destruction, disappearance, and graces occur, by whose grace everything happens and without whose grace not even a blade of grass can move. Thus, all the gods, frightened and thinking, went to the peak of Kailash, where Shiva, is. Thus the gods who had set out reached Kailash and, delighted to see the abode of the Supreme Lord there, bowed down to the Lord who is the form of Om.

The Lord, however, was sitting with his left leg resting on his right leg and his hands resting there. Thus, his followers endowed with all the attributes of shiva, were worshipping him. Women with special knowledge were fanning the Lord with great awe and devotion. Many were praising Him from the Vedas. Thus, the Lord was blessing the devotees. Seeing the Lord in such splendor, the deities, with eyes filled with tears of joy, prostrated themselves from a distance. Thus, the Supreme Lord, through His hosts, called the gods who had bowed down from afar to Himself, and pleasing those gods, spoke words that were sweet to hear, auspicious, and full of meaning and significance. Here ends the sixth chapter of the Vidyeshwara Samhita in the Sri Shiva Purana.

Lord shiva said, "May you, who are my sons, be blessed. Are you and the world happy according to my rules? Are all the gods correct in their actions?" I already knew about the war between Brahma and Vishnu. Your concern made me realize it again. Thus, the Lord, the husband of Parvati, delighted the assembly of deities with his sweet, smiling words, like those who speak to young children. Then he ordered his hundred Ganeshas to go to the place where Brahma and Vishnu were fighting. Later, those hundred Ganeshwaras wore various kinds of ornaments, sat in various kinds of vehicles, and played various kinds of auspicious instruments in preparation for the journey of the Supreme Lord shiva. Ishvara, the husband of Parvati, rode on an auspicious chariot, shaped like Om from beginning to end and adorned with five mandalas. Shiva, accompanied by his sons and his retinue, was followed by all the gods, including Indra and the gods. Accompanied by colorful flags, fans, flutes, garlands, music, dances, and a variety of musical instruments, and well-respected by the great Goddess Parvati, who is also known as 'Pashupati', the Supreme Lord went to the battlefield in an army. When lord shiva came to earth, he stood in the sky in secret to watch the battle between Brahma and Vishnu. He also told his troops to stop playing musical instruments and calmed them down. The three worlds began to burn with the weapons thus used. Shiva seeing this untimely destruction, immediately appeared in the midst of Brahma and Vishnu, in a formless form, with a terrifying form like a huge pillar of fire. Then, those weapons which were burning the world, fell down peacefully before the formless pillar that had appeared in a moment. Seeing the weapons instantly calmed in this way, Brahma and Narayana were amazed and spoke to each other about what this wonderful pillar-shaped formless being was.

Why did this pillar-shaped form of fire, which is inaccessible to our senses, arise? We cannot see its top and bottom. Thinking thus, the heroes Brahma and Narayana, proud of their respective powers, immediately prepared for the formless test. Similarly, Brahma also took the form of a swan and set out to see the formless uppermost point. Shri Hari also penetrated the world of Patala and went a long way. At that time, Brahma, the father of Sanatkumar, was flying in the sky in the form of a swan and saw a wonderful ketki flower falling down. Brahma saw the flower that had been falling for many years, which was very fragrant and had not withered. Similarly, the Supreme Lord shiva saw both of them trying to see the ends and the roots, The formless Lord laughed. Then his head shook. Then Ketaki (flower) started falling to bless them (Brahma and Vishnu). Then Brahma, seeing that ketaki flower, said this about it: "O Ketaki, the king of flowers, from where are you falling? By whom are you clothed?" He asked. To this, the flower replied, "For a long time, I have been falling from this formless midst, which is not visible to your eyes."

I too want to know its beginning and end. You too should give up the desire to see this formless end, the ketaki flower said. Then Brahma said thus. It is to see this formless end that I have come here in the form of a swan. Ketaki flower, are you my friend from now on? I have a duty to you. Come with me and tell Vishnu these words. It should be said that Brahma himself saw the tip of the pillar. It should also be said that you yourself are a witness to this. Brahma bowed down to that Ketaki flower again and again. And he said that the scriptures agree that in times of danger one can speak untruth. Ketaki flower agreed agreed to this.

shiva purana episode 9

Sanatkumara says, O sage Vyasa, perform penance for the true object. The necessary object is Shiva. Otherwise, why are you performing penance here? Shri Vyasa said this to Sanatkumara,: Oh! sage, I have established the attainment of liberation from desires for the sake of righteousness, and I have also made people walk on the path of the Vedas. In this way, although I have established many different methods in the world and am a teacher to everyone, the reason for my being like this is your grace. In this way, being a teacher to everyone, I am surprised that I do not know the method that is the means to liberation. I do not know the reason. Therefore, I am performing penance for liberation. After Vyasa expressed his opinion in this way, Sanatkumara began to explain the reason for liberation. O Vyasa, the three means of connection with the Divine - hearing, singing, and meditation - are the means of liberation. That is, hearing, thinking, and meditation are the reasons for the vision of Shiva. Previously, I, in my delusional yearning for liberation, sought refuge with other means and performed penance on the immovable Mandara mountain. Then, as per the command of Shiva, the venerable Nandikeshwara came near me. That venerable one was kind, omniscient, and the leader of the ganas of shiva. Such a great one told me thus. Out of friendship for me, he told me that the Vedas say that hearing, meditating, and chanting Shiva's hymns are the means to liberation.

It has been said by Shiva himself that these three methods are the means of liberation. Therefore, O sage, you too should practice the same again and again. Thus, after informing Sri Vyasa Muni of these supreme achievements of liberation, Sanatkumara, along with his family, departed for the sacred and auspicious Brahmaloka in his Vimana. when sage says, "Thus I have briefly related to you the previous account," the sages say, "O great sage suta! You have only said about the three upayas." "Tell us how people who are weak in the senses of hearing can attain liberation, and by what action liberation can be attained without much effort," he said. Here ends the fourth chapter in the Videshwara Samhita of the Shri Shiva Purana, in the section on possible achievements. The Suttas say, "Listen, O sages! One who is not capable of hearing, meditating, and chanting hymns can cross the ocean of samsara by establishing a linga or an idol of God and worshipping it with unwavering devotion every day." Similarly, one should collect as many worship materials as one can afford and offer them continuously, without hesitation, to either the linga or the idol. That is, for the worship of God, the mantapa, gopura, tirtha, matha, kshetra should be dedicated to Shiva Puja. Similarly, festivals should be held. Similarly, clothes, incense, garlands, incense, and lamps should be offered with devotion.

Various types of rice, sweets, and dishes that are included in the meal should be offered to the Lord. Afterwards, royal requisites such as an umbrella, flag, fan, and chamara should also be offered as offerings. Shiva should be pleased with all the treats, just as how a king is treated. All these treats can be offered to the Linga or the idol. Then, circumambulation, salutations, and chanting should be done at the place of worship. Daily worship can be offered to the Lord in the form of a linga or idol, invoking the Lord's name. Therefore, even though they gave up hearing, meditation, and chanting, many people in the past attained liberation simply by contemplating the linga in this way.

O great sage Suta, all the gods are worshipped only in idols. But how can Shiva be worshipped in both the linga and idols form? That is, they say that 'the mind is the cause of human bondage in samsara and the supreme goal in liberation'. The Suttas say, "O sage, the question you have asked is most wonderful and most virtuous. Only the Supreme Lord is capable of answering your question. Otherwise, other men are not even qualified to describe these thoughts." However, I will tell you what has been said by Shiva himself and has been heard regularly by Gurus. Shiva alone is the form of Brahma. He is the formless form, that is, without form. He is everywhere like the sky. That means formless. Because He has assumed many forms (Brahma, Vishnu, etc.), he is all-pervading, formless. Because He is composed of forms, He is also an idol and is embodied.

Since He is pure and formless, the form of the Linga is also worthy of His worship. The one who has an idol, therefore, is exalted and praised by words such as Brahma. That is why God is worshipped by people in both the linga and the idol. Since other gods are formless, except for Shiva, other gods are worshipped in idols. Since other deities are not Brahma and are living beings, deities are not worshipped in the pure form of the Linga. The other gods are worshipped in the form of idols. Therefore, they are living beings. Shankara alone is the form of Brahma. The Vedas also praise this formless form as Omkara. It is called Brahma. The entire Vedanta is revealed in the meaning of om. This same thought was asked by Sanatkumar on Mandara Parvatha earlier to nandikeshwara. Sanatkumar, the son of Brahma and the wise man, asked Nandikeshwar in this way. We have heard and seen that everywhere, besides Shiva, other deities are worshipped only in idols. We have seen it in many places. Only Shiva is worshipped in both lingam and idols. So tell me what is the auspicious principle of this, then Nandikeshwara says. Now there is no answer to this question. It is very mysterious. And it is also of character of lord brahma. However, for you, a devoted devotee, I will tell you what was previously said by Shiva. Shiva, being the form of Brahma, is formless because of his perfection.

Worshipping this kind of Linga is approved in all the Vedas. God can be worshipped in both. Therefore, the worship of Shiva in all its forms and in its entirety is the norm in the world. Since other gods besides Shiva are alive, it is said that they should all be worshipped as idols. Only Shiva has both form and formlessness, so he will be visible. Sanatkumar says. O great lord, the thoughts of the Linga and the idols were told by you. Therefore, we want to hear separately about the ideas of Shiva and the different idols, their origin, and then Nandikeshwara says. O Vatsa, listen to the one who tells you the true idea with love. In the previous Kalpa, when Mahakala did not appear in the world, the two great gods Brahma and Vishnu were fighting each other for supremacy. To dispel their pride, the Lord appeared among them in the form of a formless pillar. Then, with the pillar that identified his form, Shiva manifested the formless linga form for the benefit of the world. From that time on, the formless form of Shiva, the lingam, and the idol of Shiva, the all-encompassing form, were especially worshipped in the world.

Except for Shiva, only the idol became famous for the gods. The idol worship of gods other than Shiva is auspicious as it gives the devotees earthly and heavenly pleasures, and the respective idol worship is auspicious as it gives the pleasure of the respective deity.

shiva purana episode 8

In this way, all of them, including Brahma, prayed to him with humble words and hands clasped in homage. You are the Lord of the entire world, the cause of all causes. He who was before all these principles, the principles of nature, the essence of nature, is the supreme being above all things. Then Brahma says. The Supreme Brahman, who cannot be described by words, who cannot be comprehended even by the mind, from whom all these gods like Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, the five great beings, and the senses were produced in the beginning, in the time of creation, such an omniscient and omnipresent God, Mahadeva, can only be seen with the most steadfast devotion, and by nothing else. Rudra, Hari, Hara and all the other deities serve with extraordinary devotion and are always desiring the darshan of the Supreme Lord. What is the use of saying more? Liberation is attained only through devotion to Shiva. Through devotion to God, liberation is attained through His grace. Devotion and liberation are mutually dependent. Just as a seed sprouts from a seed, and then from that sprout comes the seed, so too, through the grace of God, devotion arises. Therefore, for the grace of God, you should go to the earth and perform a great homa that will last for thousands of years, he said. In this way, through sacrifice and the grace of Shankara, one will attain the essence of Vedic knowledge and the achievements possible beyond the Vedas.

The sages say, "O venerable sir, what is the sacred possibility mentioned in the Vedas? What is to be achieved? What is the supreme means of attaining it?" Tell us this in detail. Brahma says The possibility is to attain the world of Shiva, the means is to serve Shiva, the sadhak is the one who, by the grace of God, is detached from impermanent things. One should perform the actions prescribed by the Vedas. Then one should dedicate the fruits of them to God shiva. By such actions, one attains Kailash and then attains the peace. Everyone will attain the world of Shiva according to their devotion. There are many means for that. God Himself has taught it in a practical way. I will collect the essence of what God has said and specifically tell you about the sadhana. One should listen to the name and thoughts of Shiva with one's ears. One should praise the thoughts related to Shiva with one's words. One should ponder the thoughts of such praise in the mind. This is a great achievement. Hearing, praising, and meditating on Shiva are essential. The Vedas are the standard for such meditation, and chanting. One should understand Shiva by analyzing the Vedanta verses well. One should listen to that. One should praise what one has heard. Be able to attain this great means. O best of Brahmins, attain the name of Shiva, which is possible through these means that I have mentioned.

People in the world see what they can see with their eyes, but they understand what they cannot see with their ears. That is how they act in that regard. Therefore, a wise person like this should listen to the thoughts of God from the Guru's mouth and then meditate and chant. If one gradually and consciously achieves this sadhana, one will develop a relationship with Shiva and gradually attain the peace, companionship, and friendship of Shiva. If one worships God in this manner, all diseases and the troubles of this world will be cured, all auspiciousness will be attained, and finally, one will attain the blissful and eternal union with Shiva. Here ends the third chapter in the Sadhya Sadhana Khanda of the first Vidhyeshwara Samhita of the Sri Shiva Purana. The sages ask: What is the nature of meditation? What is the nature of hearing? What is the meaning of the hymn of the Lord? Explain these things to us clearly.

Brahma says that the worship of God, chanting, His qualities, the form of the Supreme Lord, the pastimes of God, the holy names of Shiva, and thinking well in the mind through many methods, is considered meditation. This meditation is the best and most important of all the tools. This kind of meditation is the main tool for the grace of God. Kirtan is the act of praising the glory, qualities, form, pastimes, and names of God, whether lyrically, in the words of the Vedas, or in other languages, in clear words or in melodious hymns. Wherever you hear groups of sounds heard through any medium, you should interpret those groups of sounds as being related to Shiva. Just as a young man who is thinking about a woman knows that whatever thoughts he hears in the world are thoughts of his beloved, similarly, you should understand that whatever sound you hear is related to Shiva. It is the attainment of wisdom through thought. This is what the righteous have called hearing, and it is famous in the world. This kind of hearing first arises from the company of good people. By chanting the Lord well, this hearing becomes strong in the devotee. In the end, it becomes a good meditation. Later, by the grace of Shankara, everything turns out well and by the grace of Shiva, everything is completed. The suta says, "O sages, I will tell you about this incident that happened in the past, listen, listen carefully." He began by saying. Long ago, my guru, the son of sage Parashara, Sri Vyasa, was disillusioned by the sufferings of samsara and performed penance on the banks of the Saraswati River to get rid of them.

At that time, while traveling in a plane, the venerable Sanatkumara, radiant as the sun, saw my guru, Vyasa. Then, Vyasa Maharshi, who was absorbed in meditation, woke up and saw the manasaputra of lord Brahma, Sanat Kumara. Seeing him, he was surprised and bowed down with great joy. Afterwards, Vyasa honored Sanatkumara Muni by offering him an argha and giving him a seat worthy of the gods. Sanatkumara maharshi, looking at vyasa rushi standing respectfully, spoke his words in this way.

shiva purana episode 7

The one telling the Purana should face north and the people who listen to the shiva purana should face east. One should not sit with one's feet towards that direction. There is no objection to sitting in any other direction. The storyteller, whether a boy, a youth, or an old man, poor or weak, should always be saluted by those who listen to the purana and wish him well. This means that everyone should respect him. The nine planets should also be worshipped. The deity of the mandala should also be worshipped with the intention that whoever recites the name of Sarvatobhadra will attain auspiciousness. Then, the book of Puranas should also be worshipped in the manner prescribed for Shiva worship. After the puja, one should join hands with great devotion and humbly pray to the book in the form of Shiva and recite the Stotra. After worshipping in this way, one should make a vow before the Puranas with a pure mind, saying, "I will remain steadfast in my efforts until the Puranas are finished."

Then one should pray to the Puranika as follows: O Puranika, who is in the form of Vyasa, you are a special scholar, you have learned the Shiva Shastra. Therefore, with this supremely holy light of Shiva's story, destroy my ignorance especially, Then, we should invite five people or at least one person, entertain them, and give them the vow to chant the Shiva Panchakshari, meaning, before the mantra, we should invite them and pray on our behalf to chant. "O Shaunaka, in this way he has explained the Purana and the order of the one who listens and the one who tells. Ask what else you want to ask," said the Suta. Here ends the sixth chapter of the Shiva Purana, titled "Sravanavidhi" in the Mahatma of the Skanda Purana. The Shaunakas says, "O sage suta, you are the best among the Shaivites. You are the most intelligent, the best, the blessed, the auspicious, and the most wonderful. You have told us this story of Shiva, which is very beautiful and wonderful." For the benefit of all the worlds, be kind to me and inform me of the rules and vows for listening to the Shiva Purana, to those who wish to hear it.

The Suta sage says, "O Shaunaka, I will tell you the rules that should be followed when people listen to the Shiva Purana. If listened to what I am saying with devotion, the rules that person will get the best results without any problems." People who are not initiated have no authority in listening to the stories. People who are willing to listen should take initiation from those who recite the Puranas. All men and women can listen to this Shiva Purana in a ritualistic manner with effort. The days of reciting and listening to this Shiva Purana should be considered the best and equal to a thousand homas. Even if the days of listening to this Purana are short, donations made with devotion will yield imperishable, i.e., infinite, results. In this way, one should listen to this great story, follow the rules, and perform the Udyapanam with great joy. Devotees do not have to do Udyapanam, that is, if they do not do it, there is no problem, if they can, they can do it. Because devotees of Shiva who listen to the Shiva Purana story with devotion, without any desire for reward, become purified by listening.

After the completion of the Shiva Purana recitation festival, all those who have come to listen should worship Shiva with devotion. One should worship the book as per the Shiva Puja ritual, and then one should worship and honor the purana narrators. The great Shivapurana’s mahatma, which grants all desires, has been completely narrated by me so far. What else would you like to hear? This Shri Shiva Purana is said to be like a tilak in the Puranas. It is very dear to God, beautiful, and can cure the disease of samsara. Saraswati herself praises the multitude of qualities of those who always meditate on the Supreme Lord shiva. Those who listen to this pious story, such great ones, transcend the bondage of samsara. The Supreme Lord is without the qualities of sattva, rajas, tamos, and is always present, and is indistinct. That means unmanifest. Lord shiva is the who shines within and without this world with his extraordinary glory, and who is present within and outside the mind, and who is the form of speech and mind, anyone who meditates on this Supreme Lord with devotion, who is endless and the form of eternal bliss will be blessed by lord shiva.

Here is the seventh chapter of the Shiva Purana in the Sanatkumara Samhita, titled "book worship and description of worship" in the Sri Skanda Mahapurana.

Vidyeshwara Samhita

At the confluence of the Ganga and the yamuna rivers, there is a place called Prayag, which is both a religious and a great place. This supremely auspicious place is the path to Brahmaloka, that is, it is a holy place that is a means to attain Brahmaloka. O omniscient Suta great sage, by your special virtue, you have acquired all this knowledge of the Puranas from Vyasa, having studied it from your guru Vyasa. Therefore, you are the destiny of wonderful stories. You are the treasure of good stories, just as the ocean is the home of gems. There is nothing in these three worlds that is not known to you, whether it is what has happened in the past, what is happening now, or what will happen in the future.

You have come to give us your darshan. It is not right for you to leave without doing us the proper favor. O great sage, there is one thing we need to ask you now. If you wish to bestow your grace upon us, you must tell us that matter, even if it is a secret. The point is that when the terrible Kali Yuga arrives, all humans will abandon virtuous deeds, become interested in immorality, and abandon the path of truth. And in the Kali Yuga, they will be slandering others, coveting other people's wealth, being interested in other people's women, and being interested in torturing others. This Shiva Purana, which is similar to the Vedas, was composed of twenty-four thousand verses and seven Samhitas. The first of these is called the Vidyeshwara Samhita, the second is the Rudra Samhita, the third is the Shatarudra Samhita, and the fourth is the Koti Rudra Samhita.

The fifth is called the Uma Samhita, the sixth is called the Kailasa Samhita, and the seventh is called the Vayaviya Samhita, so there are seven Samhitas. The Shiva Purana, which is composed of seven Samhitas in this way, is divine. And, having the form of Parabrahma, is supreme, and is endowed with good fortune. This Shaiva Purana is like a tilak among the Puranas, the most excellent, praising the Supreme Being, which is known and adorned by the Vedantas. Whoever reads or listens to such a Shiva Purana with love, such a person will become very dear to Shiva and will attain a noble destiny. Here ends the second chapter of the first Sri Vidyeshwara Samhita of the Sri Shiva Purana. Vyasa says, after hearing such statements about the Shiva Purana from the Suta, he asked the Suta to tell him this Shiva Purana, which is full of the essence of Vedanta.

Hearing these words from the sages, the great sage Suta, greatly pleased, remembered Shankara and began to speak thus. The Sutas says, "O sage, remember Lord Shiva, who is free from all vices, and listen to the one who recites the essence of the Vedas, the greatest of the Puranas, the Shri Shiva Purana." Listen, O sages, this Purana is like explaining the essence of the Vedas. Long ago, many kalpas were passing by again and again. At that time, the Prakrit Kalpa, the Shvetavaraha Kalpa, had arrived, and the work of creation had also begun. At that time, among the sages living on both sides of the Triveni Sangam, this object was considered the best. No, there was a great debate among themselves as to whether this thing was better or not. Then all those sages who had doubts in this way went to Brahma to ask him about this.

shiva purana episode 6

Chanchule says. O Maheshwari, O Mahadevi, have mercy on me. Save my husband, who has committed evil deeds and who is a fool. O Goddess, tell me quickly by what means my husband, who is a sinner and has an evil mind, can attain happiness. My salutations to you. Sutas says that upon hearing such a speech, Goddess Parvati, was pleased and replied thus regarding her friend. Parvati says. Listen, O Chanchula. If your husband ever hears the great and virtuous story of Shiva, he will overcome all misfortunes and attain enlightenment. Hearing these words of Parvati, which were like nectar, with love and devotion, the pure one chanchula, bowed her head in gratitude and bowed down to the goddess again and again.

Thus bowing down, she prayed to Goddess Gauri to make her husband listen to the auspicious Shiva Katha so that all his sins would be destroyed and he would attain sadgati. Suta says that when chanchula prayed to Parvati repeatedly in this way, and Parvati, who is always compassionate towards her devotees, became fond of her. Thus, Goddess Parvati, who was very fond of her, called Thumburu, the Gandharva king, who was roaming around singing Shivakirtan, and said this: Parvati says, "Oh Thumburu, you are my manasaputra. You are always the one who makes Shiva happy. Be careful and go to Vindhya mountains with this chanchula. May good happen to you” There is a terrible and most ferocious ghost in that Vindhya forest. I will tell you the whole story of it. Listen respectfully. In the past, this ghost was a Brahmin named Binduga. This is the husband of my friend Chanchula. He was a wicked man and a man who had contact with the prostitutes.

He did not observe the evening bath, was dirty, angry, and foolish. He also hated good people and abused others. He accepted evil things. He used to torture everyone while carrying a weapon. He also ate with his left hand. He used to live in other people's houses, oppressing the poor and being cruel. He was very wicked, always staying with the Chandalas and indulging in prostitution. Leaving his wife, that sinner would stay with wicked people. He committed adultery and destroyed all his virtue. Unable to control his mind, his wife followed her husband's lead and, fearlessly, lusted after other men. Thus he lived in this manner until the time of his death and died. Then he was taken to the terrible city of Yama, where sinners are punished. There he suffered many punishments for being a sinner, and now that wicked man is wandering around the Vindhya Mountains as a demon to suffer the remaining sin which he has committed.

Try to tell the most virtuous and divine story of the Shiva Purana, which destroys all sins in front of him. By listening to the sacred Shiva Purana, he will soon be freed from all sins, come out of the birth of ghosts, and become pure. She said, "After he is freed from sins, you should bring Binduga, in a plane and produce him before Shiva as per my command." Suta says that the great Gandharva Thumburu, having been commanded in this way by Parvati, remembered his good fortune and was very happy in his mind. He was happy to have been given the task of making the Shiva Purana heard to Binduga. Then, along with Binduga's wife Chanchula, Thumburu boarded a good plane and quickly went to the Vindhya Mountains where the ghost was living. There, Tumburu saw a ghost with a large body, a large jaw, and sometimes laughing, sometimes crying, running around. Then Thumburu tied the ghostwith ropes and began to sing the story of Shiva. Before Tumburu could tell the story of Shiva in this way, he first made the ghost excited in many ways. That is, he organized the necessary festival for it. He made him happy.

As per the orders of the goddess, Thumburu went to the Vindhya Mountains to save the ghost by listening to the story of Shiva. The story of Shiva is read there. In this way, there was an uproar everywhere. Due to this, all the gods and sages gathered there to listen to the story of Shiva from the mouth of Thumburu. Thus, a large crowd gathered there to listen to the Shiva story. They all had gathered to listen to the auspicious Shiva story from the mouth of Tumburu. Then, Tumburuvu tied the ghost with a rope, placed him in front of him, and began to narrate the story of Shiva Purana while playing the veena. Thus, starting from the first Samhita, he sang the epic of Shiva, composed of great souls, in a way that was clearly understandable to the audience of the seventh Samhita. In this way, all the sages and others who listened to the Shiva Purana with love, up to the seven Samhitas, were grateful. Even Binduga, who was in the form of a ghost, became pure after listening to the highly virtuous Shiva Purana, and all his sins were destroyed. Then Binduga took on the form given to the gods. He became white-skinned, dressed in white clothes, and adorned with all kinds of ornaments. Similarly, he had three eyes like Shiva, and wore the moon on his head. Thus, that divine Binduga, accompanied by his wife, himself sang the story of the Supreme Lord, the husband of Parvati. Knowing that Binduga's wife was Chanchula, the gods and sages present there were amazed and delighted. Hearing the story of Shiva, everyone present returned to their respective homes, praising and glorifying Shiva with love and appreciating his fame.

Binduga, having a divine body, enjoyed being with his wife sitting in the plane. He quickly approached Shiva, singing the beautiful praises of Shiva with them. There, the Lord shiva, who was accompanied by Parvati, blessed Binduga and Chanchula in a very good way. The gods were also blessed. Chanchula became Parvati's friend.

There is also the most sublime bliss in that world, and Binduga attained supreme happiness by experiencing the eternal and supreme happiness in that eternal and sublime Kailash. From this he told this mythological story. This story will bring joy to Shiva and Parvati. Those who listen to this will lose their ignorance and their devotion to Shiva will increase. Whoever listens to this Purana with devotion and chants it with love, with a sound mind, will experience many pleasures and blessings in this world and will ultimately attain the liberation and union with Shiva. Here ends the fifth chapter of the Shiva Purana in the Sri Skanda Purana, the description of the Binduga’s sadghati in the significance of shiva purana.

The Shaunaka says, "O Suta Maharishi, you are the most intelligent, the disciple of Vyasa. Salutations to you, you are the devotee of Shiva, endowed with the highest qualities, and worthy of praise." "Tell me the procedure for listening to the Shri Shiva Purana, tell us the procedure by which the great one will attain complete, excellent, and fruitful results," he said. Suta answer thus: O Shaunaka muni I will tell you the method of listening to the Shiva Purana, which leads to the attainment of the complete fruit and which yields complete results of listening to the shiva purana. Those who are interested in the story of Harikatha in remote villages and those who are fond of chanting the name of Shankara, such as women and Shudras, they should be informed first and educate everyone on this matter. All those who are Shiva devotees in villages and areas and who are interested in Shiva kirtan should be respectfully welcomed. All the saints will gather there. A great festival will take place. A wonderful Shiva Katha Parayana will take place. Everyone should devote themselves to that hall, which is adorned with flags and banners in all four directions. Listen, Shaunaka, just as in auspicious activities, one should keep one's mind elevated. One should not have other worries.