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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,...
prem30488's user avatar
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34 votes
5 answers
5k views

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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18 votes
1 answer
3k 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
17 votes
3 answers
21k 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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17 votes
4 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.
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ's user avatar
17 votes
1 answer
3k views

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
5k views

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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15 votes
4 answers
4k views

Who is Rudra deva?

I know Rudra is Lord Shiva. But why is Lord Shiva called as Rudra deva?
Mayank Vadiya's user avatar
15 votes
6 answers
12k views

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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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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15 votes
0 answers
466 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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13 votes
2 answers
12k 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
1 answer
2k views

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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13 votes
3 answers
11k views

Why did Shiva and Adishakti have to separate to create the universe?

Many Puranas reference the separation of Shiva and Adishakti in order to create the universe. Adishakti then took many forms (Sati, Parvati, etc.) and each time married Shiva, so they can be united ...
Mihir Pathak'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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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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12 votes
2 answers
2k 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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11 votes
3 answers
3k views

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
11 votes
2 answers
887 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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11 votes
1 answer
2k views

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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11 votes
1 answer
7k 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
1 answer
885 views

What is the position of Lord Vishnu as per Shiva Purana?

What is the position of Lord Vishnu as per Shiva Purana? Is he given the status of Supreme anywhere in Shiva Purana?
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10 votes
1 answer
8k views

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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10 votes
1 answer
355 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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10 votes
3 answers
763 views

Is Taj Mahal really a Shiva Temple in the past?

I have seen many blogs which claims that Taj Mahal was a Shiva temple in the past. Links for few those blogs are 1. The Tajmahal is Tejomahalay, A Hindu Temple 2. Taj Mahal A Shiv Temple Is there ...
Pritam's user avatar
  • 849
10 votes
1 answer
8k views

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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9 votes
1 answer
1k views

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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9 votes
0 answers
209 views

Are there more than one origins of Ma Kali?

There are multiple stories related to the origin of Goddess Mahakali: The Rudra Samhita 2.53 of the Shiva Mahapuran mentions that when Nandi informed Shiva about Sati's death, he became very furious. ...
Dr. Vineet Aggarwal's user avatar
8 votes
7 answers
758 views

Puranas besides Bhagavata & Devi-Bhagavata stating themselves as the foremost or best

I came across two answers Bhagavata-Purana Considered as best and Devi Bhagavata Purana Considered as best. On the same lines, are there any claims about other puranas claiming themselves or others ...
Eduru's user avatar
  • 345
8 votes
2 answers
2k views

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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8 votes
3 answers
726 views

When did Lord Shiva slash Lord Vishnu's head off.?

In Lord Shiva's thousand names according to Shiva Maha Purana there is a name which is number (755) Vishnukandharapatana which translates to "the one who slashes Vishnu's head." Here in ...
Sri Shiva Charañ ke Dās Vishñu's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
245 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 ...
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
220 views

Is there an official list of Shaktipeeths?

Is there an official list of Shaktipeeths? If yes, please provide the list and source.
curiousseeker's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

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
8 votes
1 answer
4k views

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?
prem30488'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
  • 30.8k
8 votes
2 answers
4k views

Where and when do Lord Shiva's legends originate?

My question is specifically about the earliest times and location of the origin of Lord Shiva's legends. What are the earliest recorded stories about him, do the legends of Shiva originate within ...
a20's user avatar
  • 604
8 votes
0 answers
183 views

Where do Vedas state that Destiny is the nature of Time?

Shiva Purana Kailasha Samhita chapter 13 (13.29-30) states; मायां तु प्रकृतिं विद्यादिति माया श्रुतीरिता । तज्जान्येतानि तत्त्वानि श्रुत्युक्तानि न संशय ।।29 It has been propounded in the ...
Tezz's user avatar
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8 votes
0 answers
2k views

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
7 votes
3 answers
7k views

Why did Shiva cry and showed such grief when Sati died as he is a god and a god is free from all the Maya which is created by him?

I could not understand, why Shiva showed all the worldly emotions like he cried and showed grief when Sati died, then he married Parvati and then lived with family. If he was a god and it is believed ...
BT55's user avatar
  • 71
7 votes
2 answers
4k views

Did Lord Shiva and Lord Rama ever meet in person?

I am reading Shiva and Sati's story where I can see that Prajapati Daksha, Lord Shiva and Sati all lived in the Treta yuga. I can also recall that Bhagavan Sri Ram also lived in the Treta yuga. ...
Tiny Rick's user avatar
  • 1,075
7 votes
1 answer
453 views

Where in the Shiva Purana does Lord Shiva say " ekam prasamshati yastu sarvAneva prasamshati...."?

Supposedly, in the Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva says to Goddess Parvati the following verse: Ekam prasamshati yastu sarvAneva prasamshati | Ekam nindati yasteshAm sarvAneva vinindati || Meaning ...
Rickross's user avatar
  • 109k
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Varaha Avatar story versions

Though I don't know much about hindu Mythology , I know that Bhagavan Vishnu takes avatars to destroy evils. When I was reading Lord Vishnu's stories. I came to know that varaha avatara was taken by ...
Tiny Rick's user avatar
  • 1,075
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
  • 141
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

What are some Stories of Lord Shiva which show tremendous Love of him to his devotees?

Can anyone provide some proofs that show Lord Shiva really includes his devotees as part of his own? A serial based on Mahadeva, they sometimes show as if Lord Shiva has unequal vision for his ...
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ'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
  • 10k
7 votes
1 answer
723 views

What Mantra should be chanted while wearing Five-faced Rudraksha?

I wear a Rudraksha with 5 faces / Panchamukhi. I read somewhere that there are certain mantras to be chanted while wearing it. can anyone tell how can I know which one is associated with the ...
Vishwas Goswami's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
387 views

What are all Varaha Avatars of Vishnu?

In the Chapter Manifestation of Rudra - Rudra Samhita Section one of Shiva Purana (Pg 224), Brahma said this to his son Narada, A boar has the power of steadily going deep below. Hence, Vishnu ,...
The Destroyer's user avatar
  • 30.8k
7 votes
1 answer
377 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
7 votes
1 answer
394 views

When Shiva & Parvati had met for first time and what was the situation?

According to Shiva purana, I have found that parvati with her father had went to meet Shiva. It was happened before the kaam dahana. Then how they met with each other and what was the situation. ...
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