Author: Romaharshana
Translator(s)/ Edito: G.P. Bhatt/J.L. Shastri
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 2120
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120802691 et al
Description
The purest gems lie hidden in the bottom of the ocean or in the depths of rocks. On has to dive into the ocean or delve into the rocks to find them out. Similarly, truth lies concealed in the language that with the lapse of time has become obsolete. Man has to learn that language before he discovers that truth.
But he has neither the means nor the leisure to embark for that venture. We have therefore planned to help him acquire knowledge by the easier course. We have started the series of ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology in English Translation. Our goal is to universalize knowledge through the most popular, international medium of Expression. The publication of the Puranas in English translation is the step towards that goal.
The Shiva Purana is one of the pura?as dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva.
The Puranas are divided into two classes – the Mahapuranas and the Upapuranas. Each class consists of eighteen purans. Thus, the number of the Puranas is Thirty-six.
The extant text of Sivapurana is arranged into seven Samhitas designated as Vidyesvara, Rudra, Satarudra, Kotirudra, Uma, Kailasa and Vayaviya. The second of these, Rudrasmhita, is divided into five section, viz. creation, the narrative of Sati, the biography of Parvati, the birth and adventures of Kumara and Siva’s battles. The seventh Samhita – Vayaviya – has two parts (Purvabhaga and Uttarabhaga).
It is called Vayaviya, for though it was recited by the Suta at the Naimisa forest, it was originally proclaimed by Vayu at the advent of Svetakalpa.
According to the records of the Vayaviya, the original Sivapurana consisted of twelve Samhitas. That is to say, in addition to the extant seven there were five more Samhitas viz. Vainayaka, Matr, Rudrakadasa, Sahasrakoti and Dharma. The complete group of twelve Samhitas comprised one hundred thousand Slokas. But five of the group were dropped in the course of reconstruction and abridgement of the Puranas. The extent Sivapurana is an abridged edition and comprises twenty-four thousand Slokas. The redaction was made by the sage Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa himself.
Tradition holds that the Shiva Purana was recited by Vedavyasa’s disciple Romaharshana, alternatively, Loma-harshana.
Contents
VOLUME-I:
Introduction
THE GLORY OF SIVAPURANA
Greatness of Sivapurana
Liberation of Devaraja
Cancula’s disillusion and detachment
Cancula’s salvation
Binduga’s salvation
Rules for listening to Sivapurana
Injunctions and prohibitions
SIVAPURANA: VIDYESVARA SAMHITA
Doubt of the sages
Answers to the doubts
Achievable and the means of achievement
Excellence of listening and deliberation
Greatness of the phallic emblem of Siva
Battle between Brahma and Visnu
Siva manifests himself as a column of fire in the battlefield
Siva’s forgiveness of Brahma
Proclamation of Siva as the great lord
Fivefold activities and the Omkara-mantra
Mode of worshipping the phallic form of Siva and making gifts
The narrative of Siva’s holy centres and temples
Description of good conduct
Description of fire-sacrifice
Qualification, time and place for Devayajna
Modes of worship of clay idols and their results
The syllable Om and the five-syllabled mantra
Bondage and liberation: The glorification of the
Phallic emblem of Siva
Glorification of the worship of Siva’s Earthen phallic image
Mode of worshipping an earthen phallic image by
Chanting Vedic mantras
Number of phallic images of Siva used in worship
On the partaking of the Naivedya of Siva and the greatness
of Bliva
Glorification of Rudraksa and the names of Siva
Greatness of the holy ashes
Greatness of Rudraksa
RUDRA-SAMHITA SECTION I: CREATION
Inquiry of the sages
Indra sends Kamadeva to disturb the penance of Narada
Narada attends the Svayamvara of a virgin
Narada goes to Vaikuntha and curses Visnu
Narada goes to Kasi
Description of the nature of Mahapralaya and
The origin of Visnu
Dispute between Brahma and Visnu
Description of the body of Sabdabrahman
Description of Sivatattva
Description of supreme Sivatattva
Mode of worshipping Siva
The essential and the non-essential
In the worship
Mode of worshipping Siva
Direction for the worship of Siva
Manifestation of Rudra
Description of the creation
Story of Gunanidhi
Redemption of Gunanidhi
Friendship of Siva and Kubera
Siva goes to Kailasa
RUDRA-SAMHITA SECTION II: NARRATIVE
OF SATI
Summary of Sati’s life
Appearance of Kama
Kama is first cursed and then blessed
Kama’s marriage
Story of Sandhya
Sandhya granted a boon by Siva
Sandhya alias Arundhati marries Vasistha
Description of the form and features of Vasanta
The power of Kama and the birth of his attendants
Brahma-Visnu dialogue
Hymn to Durga, Brahma granted a boon
Daksa granted a boon
Narada is cursed by Daksa
Birth of Sati and her childish sports
Sacred rites of Nanda and Hymn to Siva
Prayer to Siva offered by Brahman and Visnu
Sati granted the boon
Marriage of Siva and Sati
Description of Siva’s sports
Siva’s marriage festival
Dalliance of Sati and Siva on the Himalayas
Description of the power of devotion
Sati’s test of Rama’s divinity
Separation of Sati and Siva
The cause of estrangement between Daksa and Siva
The inauguration of Daksa’s sacrifice
Sati’s journey
Sati’s statement
Sati’s casting-off of her body and the subsequent disorder
The celestial voice
Birth of Virabhadra and Siva’s advice to him
March of Virabhadra
Devas see bad omens at Daksa’s sacrifice
Visnu’s statement
Dialogue between Visnu and Virabhadra
Destruction of Daksa’s sacrifice
Dialogue between Ksuva and Dadhica
The fight between Visnu and Dadhica
Journey to Kalasa and the vision of Siva
Devas eulogies Siva
The removal of Daksa’s misery
The Arrangement in Daksa’s sacrifice
VOLUME-II:
RUDRESVARA SAMHITA: PARVATIKHANDA
SECTION III
Marriage of Himacala
Sanka etc. Curse Mena and her sisters
Gods praise Siva
Goddess Durga consoles the gods
Mena obtains the boon
Parvati’s birth
Childhood sports of Paravati
Narada-Himalaya Conversation
Parent’s advice to Parvati and Siva appears before
Parvati in dream
Mars is born and raised to the status of a Planets
Siva and Himavat meet together
Siva-Himavat dialogue
Siva-HParvati dialogue
Birth and Penance of Vajranga and Taraka
Penance and reign of Taraka
Brahma consoles the gods harassed by Taraka
Dialogue between Indra and Kama
Kama causes perturbation in Siva’s grove
Kama’s destruction by Siva
The submarine fire
Narada’s instructions to Parvati
Parvati’s penance
Himavat dissuades Parvati, gods go to meet Siva
Siva’s consent to marry Parvati
Parvati’s test by seven celestial sages
Parvati-jatila dialogue
Fraudulent words of Brahmacarin
Parvati sees Siva
Siva-Parvati dialogue
Parvati return home
Siva’s magic
Seven celestial sages arrive
Appeasement of Himavat
Anaranya
Padma and Pippalada
Speeches of seven sages
Letter of betrothal dispatched; arrangement
For the celebration of marriage; arrival of
The mountain-invitees
Description of the dais
Arrival of the gods and Siva's preparations
Marriage procession of Siva
Description of the altar-structure
Meeting of Siva and Himavat
Siva's wonderful sport
Mena regains consciousness
Jubilation of the citizens at the sight of Siva
Arrival of the bridegroom
Siva enters the palace of Himavat
Description of Marriage
Delusion of Brahma
Description of fun and frolic
Resuscitation of Kama
Marriage party is fed and Siva retires to bed
Description of Siva's return journey
Siva returns to Kailasa
RUDRASAMHITA : KUMARAKHANDA
SECTION IV
Dalliance of Siva
Birth of Siva's son
Boyhood sports of Karttikeya
Search for Karttikeya and his talk with Nandin
Karttikeya is crowned
Miraculous Feat of Karttikeya
Commencement of the war
Battle between the gods and asuras
Taraka's fight with Indra, Visnu and Virabhadra
Death of Taraka and Jubilation of the gods
Victory of Kumara and the death of Bana and Pralamba
Gods eulogise Siva
Birth of Ganesa
Ganas argue and wrangle
Ganesa's battle
Ganesa's head is chopped off
Resuscitation of Ganesa
Ganesa crowned as the chief of Ganas
Ganesa's marriage
Celebration of Ganesa's marriage
RUDRASAMHITA : YUDDHAKHANDA
SECTION V
Description of the Tripuras
Prayer of the gods
Virtues of the Tripuras
Tripuras are initiated
Tripuras are fascinated
Prayer to Siva
Gods pray to Siva and Siva's instructions to the gods
Construction of the cosmic chariot
Siva's campaign
Burning of the Tripuras
God's prayer
Gods return to their abodes
Resuscitation of Indra
Birth of Jalandhara and his marriage
Fight between the gods and Jalandhara
Battle of the gods
Fight between Visnu and Jalandhara
Dialogue between Narada and Jalandhara
Jalandhara's emissary to Siva
Fight between the Ganas and Asuras
Description of the Special war
Jalandhara's battle
Outraging the modesty of Vrnda
Jalandhara is slain
God's prayer to Siva
Vanishing of Visnu's delusion
Birth of Sankhacuda
Penance and marriage of Sankhacuda
Previous birth of Sankhacuda
Prayers to Siva
Siva's advice to the gods
Siva sends emissary to Sankhacuda
March of Siva
March of Sankhacuda
Dialogue between Siva and the emissary of Sankhacuda
Mutual fight
Fight of Sankhacuda
Fight of Kali
Annihilation of the army of Sankhacuda
Death of Sankhacuda
Curse of Tulasi
Death of Hiranyaksa
Death of Hiranyakasipu
Andhaka attains the leadership of Ganas
Andhaka sends his emissary to Siva
Andhaka's fight with Siva
Swallowing of Sukra
Swallowing of Sukra and his emergence
Andhaka obtains the leadership of Ganas
Sukra learns Mrtasanjivani lore
Narrative of Usa
Narrative of Usa (continued)
Dalliance of Usa and Aniruddha
Fight among Bana, Siva, Krsna and others
Chopping of Bana's arms and his humiliation
Bana attains the position of Siva's Gana
Gajasura is slain
Dundubhi Nirhrada is slain
Vidala and Utpala are slain
VOLUME-III:
SATARUDRASAMHITA:
Five incarnations of Siva
Eight forms of Siva
Half-female incarnation of Siva
Story of Rsabha
Nineteen incarnations of Siva
Incarnation of Nandisvara
Coronation and the nuptials of Nandisvara
Incarnation of Bhairava
Sports of Bhairava
Narrative of Man-lion
Incarnation of Sarabha
Incarnation of Sarabha (continued)
Incarnation of Grhapati
Incarnation of Grhapati (continued)
Incarnation of Grhapati (continued)
Incarnation of Yaksesvara
Incarnation of Siva
Eleven incarnations of Siva
Narrative of Durvasas
Incarnation of Hanumat
Incarnation of Mahesa
Harassment by Visnu’s sons and the incarnation of Bull
Incarnation of Bull (continued)
Vaisyanatha
Dvijesvara
Yatinathahamsa
Krsnadarsana
Avadhutesvara
Bhiksuvarya
Suresvara
Incarnation of Brahmacarin
Incarnation of Sunartakanata
Incarnation of Saintly Brahmin
Incarnation of Asvatthaman
Incarnation of Kirata
Description of Arjuna’s penance
Slaying of the demon Muka
Kirata-Arjuna dialogue
Incarnation of Kirata (continued)
Twelve Jyotirlinga incarnations
KOTIRUDRASAMHITA:
Glory of Jyotirlinga and their Uplingas
Greatness of Sivalingas
Penance of Anasuya and Atri
Greatness of Atrisvara
Death of the Brahmin lady and the greatness of Nandikesvara
Brahmin lady attains Heaven
Greatness of Nandikesvara
Greatness of Mahabala
Attainment of the supreme goal by an out-caste woman
Greatness of Mahabala (continued)
Greatness of Pasupatinatha
Why Siva assumed the phallic form
Origin of Vatuka
Origin of Somanatha
Origin of the second Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Glory of Mahakala
Glory of Mahakala (continued)
Glory of Omkaresvara
Glory of Kedaresvara
Glory of Bhimesvara and the havoc perpetrated by Bhimasura
Origin of Bhimsesvara
Greatness of Visvesvara, the arrival of Rudra at Kasi
Greatness of Visvesvara (continued)
Greatness of Trymbakesvara and Gautama
Planned arrangement of Gautama
Greatness of Tryambakesvara (continued)
Greatness of Tryambakesvara (continued)
Greatness of Vaidyanathesvara
Havoc created by Raksasas of Darukavana
Greatness of Nagesvara
Greatness of Ramesvara
Narrative of Sudeha and Sudharma
Origin and glory of Ghusmesvara
Acquisition of Sudarsana by Visnu
Thousand names of Siva
Efficacy of the thousand names of Siva
Devotion to lord Siva
Greatness of Sivaratri
The rite of Sivaratri
Glory of sivaratri
Review of Salvation
Difference between Saguna and Nirguna
Review of knowledge
UMASAMHITA:
Krsna meets Upamanyu
Upamanyu’s instruction
Greatness of Siva
Exhibition of Siva’s skill
Great sins
Different types of sins
Pathwya ot hell and the emissaries of Yama
Description of hell
Pangs of hell
Mode of suffering in hell
Glory of the gift of food
Glory of penance
Glory of Puranas
General charitable gifts
Description of the Nether Worlds
Uplift from hell
Description of the Jambudvipa
Seven Continents
Worlds and planets
A special Mantra
Fruits of righteous war
Origin & development of the body
Infancy & other stages; impurity of the body
Women’s nature
Ascertainment of the time of death
Dodging of Kala
Escaping death & realisation of Siva
Chayapurusa
VOLUME-IV:
UMASAMHITA:
Primeval creation
Description of creation
Family of Kasyapa
Description of creation
Manvataras
Description of Vaivasvata
Nine sons and the race of Manu
Race of Manu
Satyavrata to Sagara
Kings of the Solar race
Power of the manes
Seven hunters their attainment
Power of the Pitrs
Mode of worshipping Vyasa
Birth of Vyasa
Incarnation of Mahakalika
Incarnation of Mahalaksmi
Dhumraksa, Canda, Munda and Raktbija killed
Manifestation of Sarasvati
Manifestation of Sarasvati
Manifestation of Uma
Incarnation of Sataksi
Review of holy rites
KAILASASAMHITA:
Discussion among Vyasa, Saunka and others
Dialogue between the God and the Goddess
Way of Sannyasa
Daily conduct of a Sannyasin
Mystic diagram of the ascetic
Nyasa in the path of renunciation
Worship of Siva
Mental worship of Siva
Mode of interpreting the Pranava
Suta’s instructions
Brahma Vamadeva
Procedure of Sannyasa
Procedure of Renunciation
Pranava in the form of Siva
Idol of Siva for worship
Siva’s Principle
Non-dualistic nature of Siva
Procedure of initiating a disciple
Rules of Yogapatta
Rules for hair cutting and ablution
The first ten days rite on the death of an ascetic
Rites on the eleventh day on the death of an ascetic
Twelfth day rites for Yatis
VAYAVIYASMHITA, SECTION-I:
Origin of the sacred lore
Problem of the sages
Naimisa episode
Advent of Vayu
Principles of Siva cult
Glory of Time
Span of life of the Trinity
Creation and sustenance
Description of Creation
Creation of Brahma and Visnu
Manifestation of Rudras
Song of Prayer addressed to Siva and Siva
Manifestation of Divine Sakti
Narrative of Creation
Abandonment of the body by Sati
Origin of Virabhadra
Destruction of Daksa’s sacrifice
Punishment of the Gods
Destruction of Daksa’s sacrifice
Siva’s Fury
Siva’s sports on the Mandara Mountain
Goddess attain fair complexion
Attainment of higher status by the tiger
Gauri’s embellishment
Glory of Bhasma
Analysis of Vag-Artha
Principle of Siva
Instruction in perfect wisdom
Description of excellent practice
Rules Governing Pasupativrata
Penance of Upamanyu
Story of Upamanyu
VAYAVIYASAMHITA, SECTION-II:
Acquisition of sons by Srikrsna
Glory of Lord Siva
Upamanyu’s advice to Srikrsna
Magnificence of Gauriand Siva
Knowledge of Pasupati principle
Principle of Siva
Incarnations of Vyasa
Siva Yogacarya
Devotion to Siva
Saivite knowledge
Glory of the mantra of Siva
Creatness of the preceptor
Consecration of the disciple
Rules of Saivite initiation
Purification of the six paths
Consecration of the aspirant and the greatness
of the Mantra
Special consecration
Nitya and Naimittika rites
Compulsory and optional Saiva rites
Rules of worship
Ritual of lord Siva
Worship of Siva
Worship of Siva with the ancillary rites
Rite of sacrifice
Compulsory and optional rites
Kamya rites
Hymn to lord Siva
Rites for prosperity
Rites for prosperity rites for bliss hereafter delusion
of Visnu and Brahma
Installation of Siva
Goal of Yoga
Obstacles in the path of Yoga
Saivite Yoga
Journey of the Naimisa sages
Instructions of Vvasa
INDEX