Questions tagged [shiva-purana]

The Shiva Purana or Shiva Mahapurana is one of the puranas (a genre of Hindu religious texts), dedicated to the Lord Shiva. It contains twelve Saṁhitās and 100,000 shlokas (verses).

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Why doesn't Shiva worship anybody where as Vishnu worships him in all his incarnations?

There is a difference between Bhagwata Purana and Shiva Purana: Bhagwata Purana states that Vishnu is more supreme than Shiva, and from Vishnu, Brahma and by Brahma, Shiva was born. But if that is so,...
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34 votes
5 answers
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Why did Vyasa depict different Supreme Gods in different Puranas?

I see that many people (including me) remain confused about who is the Supreme God. The main reason for confusion is that in different Puranas, different Gods are shown as Supreme God, e.g., in Shiva ...
Aby's user avatar
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14 votes
4 answers
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Who is Rudra deva?

I know Rudra is Lord Shiva. But why is Lord Shiva called as Rudra deva?
Mayank Vadiya's user avatar
18 votes
1 answer
4k views

Is each of the 18 Mahapurans related to a different Kalpa?

While researching for an answer I came across the reference of Padma Puran having been revealed in the Padma Kalpa which was the last day of the 50th year of Brahma. Currently we are in the Varah ...
Dr. Vineet Aggarwal's user avatar
15 votes
3 answers
2k views

I want to know the exact explanation of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Can any one give the exact explanation of this mantra? What is the logic behind chanting this Mantra? How the mind of a person related to this and is it true that we can save the life of a dying ...
Eesha's user avatar
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17 votes
3 answers
22k views

Is the complete Shiva Purana available online in English?

I already have a PDF of 812 pages in Hindi language but I find that the language/words used are sometimes a bit tough to understand. I have visited some sites which have downloadable versions in ...
Aby's user avatar
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11 votes
1 answer
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Was Nandi really a bull?

The general belief about Nandi (related to Lord Shiva) is that he is a bull who is generally in human form but at times changes into the form of a bull. But after reading Shiva Purana, I feel that ...
Aby's user avatar
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17 votes
1 answer
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Why Lord Shiva is depicted as Lord of Time?

Kali Mata was named as Kaali because she is wife of Lord Shiva, who is said to be Lord of time. As He is Lord of time, few avatars or Amsas of Him are named after him such as KaalaBhairava. What is ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
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16 votes
7 answers
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Did Rama know that he was Avatar of Lord Vishnu?

This chapter of Ramayana narrates the meeting of Garuda with Rama. न च कौतूहलं कार्यं सखित्वं प्रति काङ्क्षिणा । कृतकर्मा रणे वीर सखित्वं प्रतिवेत्स्यसि ॥६-५०-५७ "O, hero! You need not ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
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11 votes
3 answers
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Do Shaivites believe in something greater than Sadashiva?

In this excerpt from the Vayaviya Samhita of the Shiva Purana, various time scales are described: Brahma's one day is equivalent to a kalpa. He is of unmanifest origin. A thousand kalpas make a ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
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What is the origin of Brahma's four heads?

Brahma, the creator of the universe, is depicted as having four heads. Is there a story behind it?
Eshan Singh's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
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As per Shiva Purana what are the 28 avatars of Shiva as said to Brahma?

As per Shiva Purana which 28 avatars of Shiva did he tell to Brahma? Also Shiva said the names of Sage Vyasa of each Mahayuga. What are those?
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Are the Mahapuranas 18 in number? Cause I found 19 [duplicate]

I found three different sets of 18 Mahapuranas. Common in all are: (Vishnu Purana,Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, Garuda Purana, Varaha Purana, Agni Purana, Vamana Purana, Bhagavat Purana, Skanda Purana,...
Karthik Valmeekam's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
6k views

Why is Shiva purana called a Tamasic purana?

I have this confusion from a long time as to why other texts categorize Shiva Purana as a Taamasic Purana. None of the holy books say bad things, same is with this book. I have read this and I don't ...
Aby's user avatar
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13 votes
1 answer
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How many times has Shiva opened his 3rd eye?

According to Hindu mythology, how many times has Shiva opened his 3rd eye and why?
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8 votes
0 answers
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Did Shiva's incarnation Lakulisha meet Krishna or other Mahabharata characters?

In this excerpt from the Shatarudra Samhita of the Shiva Purana, Shiva tells Brahma about his incarnations (avataras) in the Dwapara Yugas of the various Mahayugas in the Vaivasvata Manvantara (the ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
6k views

What are offerings to shivalinga and what are fruits of it?

What are offerings to shivalinga and what are fruits of it? It is said that if we offer water of river Ganga, we attain Moksha after death, similarly milk is offered for long life. But this ...
prem30488's user avatar
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10 votes
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Difference between the Shiva Purana and the Linga Purana

Both the Shiva Purana and the Linga Purana are books on Lord Shiva. I have read Shiva Purana. Can somebody please explain what is extra or differently told in the Linga Purana? Also, if possible ...
Aby's user avatar
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8 votes
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Is Kamadeva (Manmatha) still alive or dead?

I heard a story about Kamadeva, here it is: While Lord Shiva was doing deep meditation, Kamadeva disturbs him by inducing love and desire into Shiva, which caused disturbance to Shiva and made Shiva ...
hanugm's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
939 views

Why Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer of world?

I don't know that why Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer of the world? Please somebody answer my question! Every Hindu in the history of the world today knows the following: Brahma, Vishnu, ...
Goltu's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
4k views

Was Shiva really cursed and did his phallus really fall to the ground as claimed in this image?

This Instagram handle posted the following image claiming Shiva's phallus fell to the ground after he was cursed by a rishi. Is this story really present in the said scripture? May be the translation ...
Pasham Vishnu Vardhan Goud's user avatar
15 votes
0 answers
620 views

Is ‘Vayu Purāṇa’ a synonym for the Shiva Purāṇa and what is the reason for it having two names?

The Matsya Purāṇa, while enlisting the 18 mahapuranas says the following with reference to the fourth one, also known as the Shri Shiva Purāṇa With reference to the Śvetakalpa, the dharma which Vayu ...
Adiyarkku's user avatar
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15 votes
6 answers
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Is Lord Shiva dark in complexion?

We know that the complexion of Lord Vishnu / Krishna is dark (shyam varna) but what is the complexion of Lord Shiva, dark or white?
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11 votes
1 answer
8k views

Why is Moon on Lord Shiva's head only shown as crescent?

The story that of, how the Moon god ended up in Lord Shiva's hair, goes like this: Moon god had to get relief from the disease that he got by his own fault. He came to know that the only remedy for ...
Ponmari Subramanian's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
964 views

Do Vedas or Shruti describe Lord Shiva as Sattva (सत्व)?

There are many misconceptions that Lord Shiva is Tamasic God and scriptures of Him are Tamasic Scriptures. Some people even suggest not to read His stories as they are ostensibly believed to be ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
252 views

What happens to Lord Shiva's trishul during dissolution of universe?

I've read Kashi is absorbed into trishul at the time of Dissolution. But Trishul too has to be absorbed. Can anyone give references about the Trishul? As it has to be absorbed, So Kashi ultimately ...
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7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why Lord Shiva likes Kashi?

Lord Shiva's favourite place is said to be the city of Kashi. But what are the reasons? Why Lord Mahadeva likes Kashi but not other places?
ROHIT's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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How Lord Shiva became Tripurari?

How shiva became Tripurari ? I have heard that Brahma became charioteer and other deities became chariot? And still they say shiva does not need anything but was playing with the stuff of devas?
prem30488's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Is Sati meeting with Rama a form of time travel?

In the Shiva purana it is mentioned that Sati went to see Rama. Is this a form of time travelling to the future as Rama did not exist when Sati was alive?
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5 votes
1 answer
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What is the story of Siva's Incarnation (ईशान) Ishan?

According to what I have studied yet the 23rd incarnation of Lord Shiva is (ईशान) Ishan (The ruler). The story related to this incarnation is not described much deeper or it can be my fault that I ...
Eshan Singh's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
2k views

Rudra's confrontation with the Devas at Yajna and slaying of Prajapathi

I am referring to this blog where the following is stated: There is a persistent motif of the deva Rudra (Śiva) being originally refused ritual offerings of the yajña to which the other deva-s ...
Naveen's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
4k views

Correct translation for Shiva purana -4:12?

Can someone please provide the correct translation for Shiva Purana : kotirudra Samhita : 12 chapter
Pasham Vishnu Vardhan Goud's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
3k views

Why does Uma Samhita, Chapter 24 of Shiva Purana insult Women?

The 24 Chapter of Uma Samhita is purely dedicated to insulting women. Here is summary of the verses of the chapter- You won't believe what has been said- 15-16: No one is more sinful than a woman. ...
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17 votes
3 answers
1k views

How to please Lord Shiva to get grace?

How to please Lord Shiva to get grace? Please enumerate simple & practical ways by which he becomes pleased & showers grace.
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13 votes
2 answers
13k views

Who is Aja Ekapada and why is this form of Lord Shiva very rare in Hinduism?

From what I have researched so far,Aja Ekapada is considered as one of the Rudras of Lord Shiva.The various forms which depicts include Ekapada Shiva,the one legged shiva,the ekapad trimurthy(Brahma ...
Elfin forest's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
3k views

Did Lord Brahma kill any demons?

I was reading Shiva Purana and in Rudrasamhita Chapter 16, I came across the following attached section. Here, in 8th and 9th verse, Lord Brahma said that 'some demons are to be killed by me'. Till ...
Aby's user avatar
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12 votes
2 answers
4k views

What is the story behind Lord Rudra (Shiva) holding the skull of Indra?

I read the extract as shown in the image below from Vayuviya Samhita Chapter 14 of Shiva Purana: In the verse # 9 (the highlighted one), it is said that: He (Lord Rudra) is brilliant holding the ...
Aby's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
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What is the meaning of Bhagavan as per Shiva Purana?

Here is a similar question which asks definition of Bhagavan from Vishnu Purana: Definition of Bhagavan as per Vishnu Purana Here I'm asking about definition of Bhagavan as per Shiva Purana. So,...
Tezz's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
419 views

When and why did Lord Shiva punish Vedavyasa?

Shiva Purana Rudra Samhita says Lord Shiva expelled Vedavyasa from Kashi and got him punished through Nandi. O goddess, for the sake of a devotee, I angrily expelled Vyāsa when he had a vicious ...
Kiran's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
1k views

Did Lord Rama show Vishwaroopa Darshan to Sati Devi?

I know Krishna showed his Vishwaroopa Darshna during Mahabharatha War. But Shiva Puranam by DSR Anjaneyulu, which was translated to English from Telugu by RM Chella says, Rama had shown Vishwaroopa ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
385 views

What is the "essence of the earth and heaven" given by Brahma to sage Gautama at his marriage?

As I discuss in this answer, the Shiva Purana describes the origin of the Godavari River. According to this excerpt from the Kotirudra Samhita of the Shiva Purana, after the sage Gautama prays to ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
6k views

Who are Gandharvas?

I have heard the name 'Gandharvas', while I was reading Shiva Purana, as the part of the beings in the creation. What are these? Is there any relation of Humans to them (ancestral basis), or they are ...
Mr. K's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the source of "ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param" (of all methods of worship, Viṣṇu worship is the topmost)?

Prabhupāda, starts a lecture in August, 1972 by quoting a verse from the Śiva Purāṇa. To strengthen his argument he cites another verse (ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ viṣṇor ...) supposedly from the Padma ...
Say No To Censorship's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is Shiva Purana authentic?

On Quora, I have seen many people (mainly ISKCON priests) say that Shiva Purana was "adulterated by Shaiva kings" or something along this line. Is this true or false?
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6 votes
2 answers
7k views

What is complete authentic story of demon Tripurasura?

According to this wikipedia page of Tripurasura, Tripurasura was killed by Lord Shiva because he followed a Adharmic Religion which was created by Lord Vishnu to lure him to the path of Adharma. After ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
650 views

Did Mother Sati become a ghost after committing sucide?

This answer states that after suicide a person becomes a ghost. Then did mother Sati become ghost after committing suicide?
prem30488's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
429 views

Who is mother Durga, why was she prayed by all gods including Vishnu to be reborn as Parvathi?

Mother Durga was reborn as Parvathi, the daughter of Mena and Himalaya. So why did the Gods including Vishnu pray to mother Durga to be reborn as Parvathi. Why were they happy of the marriage of Mena ...
WiredTheories's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
389 views

Were the Shiva and Lingam independent concepts prior to the emergence of Puranas?

I read somewhere that concept of lingam is absent in vedas and onle emerged with the advent of Puranas. Is there truth in it?
carpe diem's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
449 views

Why Maha Shivaratri won't fall on Karthika Masam?

Karthika Masam is sacred days dedicated only to Lord Shiva. Then Why Maha Shivaratri won't fall on Karthika Masam?
Atiba Davies's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
107 views

Panchakshari Mantra is "Om" and not "Om Namah Shivaya"?

I came across this article, and it seems to introduce many controversial ideas about the Mahamantra. He provides references and quotes, too. https://www.jagatgururampalji.org/en/shiv-puran/om-namah-...
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