Suta Narrates the Power of Shiva Purana
Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
Explore the sacred Shiva Purana: ancient wisdom, spiritual growth, and liberation. Discover its power to purify the soul and bring devotees closer to Lord Shiva.
Shaunaka said: "O wise Suta, knower of profound truths, Please share with me the essence of the Puranas.
How do virtue, devotion, and wisdom flourish? How do the righteous dispel negative thoughts?
In this challenging Kali age, People have become almost demonic in nature. What effective remedy exists for this condition?
Tell me the surest path to achieve perfect well-being, The holiest of all sacred methods.
What practice purifies the soul most thoroughly? What enables a pure-minded person to attain Shiva (ultimate reality)?"
Suta replied: "Blessed are you, O great sage, for your eagerness to learn. I shall thoughtfully share the greatest of sacred knowledge.
Listen, dear one, to this divine remedy Distilled from all religious teachings. It enhances true devotion and pleases Lord Shiva.
This knowledge destroys the great fear of Death's Python. O sage, it is the noble Shiva Purana, Originally narrated by Shiva himself.
For the benefit of people in the Kali age, The sage Vyasa (compiler of Hindu scriptures) abridged it, Respecting the instructions of the sage Sanatkumara.
O sage, nothing purifies the mind More than the Shiva Purana, Especially for people of the Kali age.
Only the intelligent and highly fortunate, Those who've accrued great merit in past lives, Are drawn to this sacred text.
This Shiva Purana is the greatest and noblest scripture. It embodies Shiva's essence, To be revered and realized in this world.
By reading and listening to it, one becomes virtuous. They instantly attain Shiva's divine realm.
Thus, every effort to study this text is beneficial. Attentive listening yields all desired results.
By hearing this Purana of Shiva, one becomes sinless. After enjoying worldly pleasures, They will reach Shiva's abode.
Merely listening to Shiva's story Brings merit equal to performing The Rajasuya (royal consecration ritual) And a hundred Agnistoma (fire rituals).
O sage, those who regularly hear the Shiva Purana, The noblest of sacred lore, transcend human limitations. They should be seen as manifestations of Rudra (a form of Shiva).
Sages consider the dust from the feet Of those who habitually recite this Purana As holy as sacred pilgrimage sites.
Those seeking salvation should always listen To the holy Shiva Purana with great devotion.
O noblest of sages, if unable to listen always, One should hear it briefly each day, With a focused mind.
If one cannot listen daily, O sage, Let them hear the Shiva Purana during holy months.
Those who listen to this Purana Even for a Muhurta (48 minutes), half that time, A quarter, or just a moment, Will not suffer from misfortunes.
O lord of sages, the person who hears this Purana Crosses the ocean of worldly existence, Burning away the great forest of Karma (binding actions).
O sage, the merit gained from all gifts and sacrifices Becomes permanent after listening to the Shiva Purana.
Particularly in the Kali age (current era in Hindu cosmology), There is no greater virtue leading to liberation Than listening to the Shiva Purana.
Have no doubt that listening to this Purana And reciting Shiva's names Is as powerful as the Kalpa tree (wish-fulfilling divine tree) In granting one's desires.
For the benefit of the misguided in the Kali age, Those bereft of virtuous conduct, Lord Shiva has produced this nectar In the form of the Shiva Purana.
A single person who drinks nectar Becomes immortal and ageless. But the nectar of Shiva's divine story, When consumed, makes the whole family Immortal and ageless.
This purifying story of the Shiva Purana Must always be embraced, without fail.
If merely listening to the Shiva Purana Brings such good results, What can be said of the outcome When Shiva resides in one's heart?
This work consists of twenty-four thousand verses Divided into seven samhitas (compendiums). The three types of Devotion are fully explained: (1) by meditation, (2) recital of prayer, and (3) acts of worship and service. It must be listened to with great respect.
The first compendium is called Vidyesvara samhita, The second is Rudrasamhita, The third is Satarudra samhita, And the fourth is Kotirudra samhita.
The fifth compendium is called Umasamhita, The sixth is Kailasasamhita, And the seventh is Vayaviya samhita. Thus, there are seven samhitas in this Purana.
This divine Purana of seven samhitas, Named after Shiva, Stands equal to the Brahman (Vedic texts) And grants an achievement superior to all else.
One who reads the entire Shiva Purana, Without omitting any of the seven samhitas, Can be called a Jivanmukta (a living liberated soul).
O sage, the ignorant person is tossed about In the ocean of worldly existence Until the excellent Shiva Purana reaches their ears.
Of what use is listening to many sacred texts And other confusing Puranas? The Shiva Purana alone loudly proclaims Its readiness to grant salvation.
The house where discourse on this Shiva Purana is held Becomes a holy center. It destroys the sins of the home's inhabitants.
Thousands of horse-sacrifices And hundreds of Vajapeya sacrifices (soma offering ritual) Do not equal even a sixteenth part Of the merit of the Shiva Purana.
O best of sages, a person is called a sinner Only until the moment they hear the Shiva Purana With great devotion.
The holy rivers, Ganga and others, The seven sacred cities, and Gaya (an important pilgrimage site) Can never equal the Shiva Purana.
If one wishes for the greatest of goals (Liberation), One shall recite at least a stanza Or even half of it from the Shiva Purana.
He who constantly listens to the Shiva Purana, Fully comprehending its meaning, Or simply reads it with devotion, Is undoubtedly a meritorious soul.
Lord Maheshana (Shiva) is extremely pleased With the sensible person who listens to the Shiva Purana When death is imminent. Lord Shiva grants them a place in his own realm.
He who adores this Shiva Purana with great devotion Enjoys all desired objects in this world And attains Shivaloka (Shiva's abode).
One who keeps this work well wrapped in a silk cloth, Never slacking in devotion to the Shiva Purana, Will always be happy.
The holy Shiva Purana, the sole possession of a Shiva devotee, Should be diligently embraced by a person Who desires happiness here and hereafter.
The holy Shiva Purana, which grants the four aims of life (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha - virtue, wealth, pleasure, liberation), Must be heard and read with great devotion always.
The Shiva Purana, the greatest harbinger of perfect welfare Among the Vedas, Itihasas (historical texts), and other sacred texts, Must be thoroughly understood by those who seek salvation.
This Shiva Purana is eternally the greatest refuge For the knowers of Atman (Self, Soul). It is the noblest object worthy of adoration by good people. It suppresses the three types of distresses: (Physical illness, extraneous attacks, and divine calamities). It always brings happiness and is very pleasing To all Devas (celestial beings) led by Brahma, Hari (Vishnu), and Isha (Shiva).
With a mind filled with extreme delight, I bow to the Shiva Purana forever. May Shiva be pleased and bestow upon me A devotion to His feet.