19
votes
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Is Lord Shiva dark in complexion?
Lord Shiva's Complexion was described in Chapter Four (Cancula's Salvation) of Shiva Purana Mahatyam in Shiva Puranam. You can see that from here.(Page 18)
She saw the three-eyed Mahadeva, the ...
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19
votes
Accepted
Why Lord Shiva is depicted as Lord of Time?
YajurVeda salutes Lord Shiva by stating:
नमो अग्रियाय च प्रथमाय च [YajurVeda Taittariya Samhita 4.5.5.2]
Namo Agriyaya cha prathamaya cha
Salutations to Him who was before all things and who ...
- 31.1k
18
votes
I want to know the exact explanation of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
In Devanagari script:
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिंम् पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ।।
In English script:
om tryambakaṃ yajāmahe ...
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18
votes
Accepted
Is each of the 18 Mahapurans related to a different Kalpa?
As mentioned in this answer, different Puranas were revealed during onset of different Kalpas.
Chapter 53 of Matsya Purana mentions Kalpas of all Puranas except Brahma and Markandeya Puranas.
Padma ...
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17
votes
Who is Rudra deva?
The Best definition of Lord Rudra is given by Lord Krishna himself in Harivamsha Parva [2.74 section] of Mahabharata:
रुद्रो देव त्वं रुदनाद् रावणाञ्च
रोरुयमाणो द्रावणाच्चवातिदेवः ।
Lord ...
- 48.2k
17
votes
Accepted
How many times has Shiva opened his 3rd eye?
Lord Shiva opened His 3rd eye infinite number of times, if we consider cyclic nature of time, as many events repeat in every Manvantara.
However, we know four instances where Mahadeva opened His 3rd ...
- 31.1k
14
votes
Why did Vyasa depict different Supreme Gods in different Puranas?
Shiva Purana says that Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra (Trimurti) rivaled one another and they propitiated the Supreme Lord (their father) and they got a boon of creating others at outset of various Kalpas. ...
- 31.1k
13
votes
Who is Rudra deva?
There's a subtle difference between Shiva and Shankara or Rudra. Shiva is Supreme Purusha while Shankara aka Rudra is human manifestation of Supreme Purusha Shiva. Shankara or Rudra is generally ...
- 31.1k
13
votes
Accepted
What is the meaning of Bhagavan as per Shiva Purana?
Shiva Purana Vidyesvara Samhita chapter 16 gives definition of what is meant by 'Bhagavan' and why is Lord Shiva called Bhagavan:
भं वृद्धिं गच्छतीत्यर्थाद्भगः प्रकृतिरुच्यते ।
प्राकृतैः...
- 48.2k
13
votes
Vishnu seducing Jalandhar's wife Vrinda: How justified?
The source you have cited in question is not proper. You should read Rudra Samhita (Yuddha Khanda) (chapter 13 - Chapter 25) of Shiva Mahapurana and/or Uttarakhada (Chapter 3 - Chapter 18) of Padma ...
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12
votes
Is the complete Shiva Purana available online in English?
Unabridged Shiva Maha Purana is now available in text searchable format on archive.org. This is the same Motilal Banarsidas Edition. Download PDF with text format.
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
...
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12
votes
Accepted
What are offerings to shivalinga and what are fruits of it?
The details of how to perform Shiva Linga Archana(including the details of mantras to be used etc) are briefed in the Lingaarchana chapter of LingaPurana:
As Rishis asked Lomaharshana Maharshi as ...
- 111k
12
votes
Accepted
Why does Uma Samhita, Chapter 24 of Shiva Purana insult Women?
We should read or understand Chapters 22, 23 and 24 of Uma Samhita of Shiva Purana completely to get proper meaning. In these 3 chapters, Vyasa asks Sanatkumara to explain things so that he can get ...
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12
votes
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Who is Aja Ekapada and why is this form of Lord Shiva very rare in Hinduism?
Aja Ekapada is mentioned in Rig-Veda 2.31.6 and Atharva-Veda Kanda 13- Sukta 1- Mantra 6.
रोहितो द्यापृथिवि जजान तत्र तन्तुं परमेष्ठी ततान । तत्र शिश्रियेSज
एक पादोSद्रुंहद् द्यापृथिवि बलेन ।। AV ...
- 31.9k
12
votes
Accepted
When and why did Lord Shiva punish Vedavyasa?
The story of Nandi punishing Vyasa is mentioned in this chapter (Kashi Khanda chapter 95) of Skandha Purana. What that chapter describes is, Vyasa sees Saunaka and other sages wearing Tripundras and ...
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11
votes
Why did Vyasa depict different Supreme Gods in different Puranas?
One has to read Vyasa's entire teachings to get an answer to this question.
Hari and Isana are equivalent
Well-adored by the Rishis, by Brahma, and by all the deities, that
great God, the ...
- 36.1k
11
votes
I want to know the exact explanation of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
MahaMrityunjaya mantra is one of the most special mantra from Veda Samhita addressed to Lord Shiva.
It is in Rig Veda Samhita 7.59.12. Sage Vasistha is the Rishi (who heard) of the mantra and Devata ...
- 48.2k
11
votes
Puranas besides Bhagavata & Devi-Bhagavata stating themselves as the foremost or best
Yes , in Shiva-Mahapurana we also find the similar description in Mahatmyam or Glory part. Chapter 1 Shloka 12 - The glory of the purana.
एतच्छीपुराणं हि परमं शास्त्रमुत्तमम्। शिवरुपं क्षितौ ...
- 31.9k
11
votes
Accepted
How to please Lord Shiva to get grace?
In this Kurma Purana chapter, Lord Shiva prescribes Bhakti or devotion as the best means of achieving his grace.
Parama Shiva asserted:
Naaham Tapobhirvividhairna Daanena na cheyjyayaa | ...
- 111k
10
votes
Accepted
Is Kamadeva (Manmatha) still alive or dead?
Kamadeva is alive now with body but he lived without body till his birth as Krishna's son Pradyumna. He regained his body after taking birth as Pradyumna during 28th Dwapara Yuga of this Manvantara. ...
- 31.1k
10
votes
Is the complete Shiva Purana available online in English?
The following is the full English translation of the Shiva Purana including an interwoven glossary. It contains over 600,000 words and starts with a Mahatmya, extolling the greatness of the Shiva-...
- 3,607
10
votes
What is the story behind Lord Rudra (Shiva) holding the skull of Indra?
This skull could be probably skull of a previous Indra. Rudra at Prakrta Pralaya (dissolution after death of Creator Brahma) burns entire Universe to ashes and wears skulls of Devas as Ornaments. So, ...
- 31.1k
10
votes
Accepted
Do Vedas or Shruti describe Lord Shiva as Sattva (सत्व)?
Taittariya Samhita of YajurVeda in 4.5.2 salutes Lord Shiva by stating him to be the Lord of Satwas. It is also a portion of Sri Rudram. It is also stated in Vajasenai Samhita in 16.20.These words ...
- 48.2k
10
votes
Accepted
Puranas besides Bhagavata & Devi-Bhagavata stating themselves as the foremost or best
Like Bhagavatams, Shiva Purana also says itself as best among all the Puranas and best remedy in age of Kali. Chapter 1 Glory of Shiva Purana says
कालव्यालमहात्रासविध्वंसकरमुत्तमम्। शैवं पुराणं परमं ...
- 31.1k
10
votes
Why does Uma Samhita, Chapter 24 of Shiva Purana insult Women?
First of all it is not that chapter 24 of Uma Samhita Shiva Purana is wholly dedicated to Insult women. That chapter is just recording the dialogue which took place between Nãrada and Apsarã named ...
- 48.2k
10
votes
Why Maa Lakshmi says that neither Lord Brahma nor Lord Vishnu only Lord Shiva commands her to move from one place to another.?
Why Maa Lakshmi says that neither Lord Brahma nor Lord Vishnu only Lord Shiva commands her to move from one place to another.?
This is the interpretation of mahapashupatastra blog for the below ...
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9
votes
Did Rama know that he was Avatar of Lord Vishnu?
At the end of Ramayana war, when Brahma & Devas extol him as Supreme, Rama says '
abravittridashashreShThaan raamo dharmabhR^itaaM varaH |
AtmAnam mAnusham manye rAmam daSarathAtmajam VR 6....
- 8,035
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votes
Do Shaivites believe in something greater than Sadashiva?
Yes, Shaivites do believe in higher than SadaShiva also. Tirumantiram written by Tirumular is one of the oldest texts considered as authoritative by Shaiva Siddhantin. Tirumular is also one among 63 ...
- 48.2k
9
votes
Did Lord Brahma kill any demons?
Chapter 21 (pg 82-86) of the Sristi Khanda of Padma Purana recounts how Brahma killed a demon named Vajranabha and found Puskara.
Once Brahma wanted to perform a sacrifice. He went to earth to select ...
- 4,430
8
votes
Accepted
Did Mother Sati become a ghost after committing sucide?
Mother Sati gave up her body through the process of Kundalini Yoga. And leaving the body through the path of Yoga is not called Suicide. Here is how Srimad Bhagvatam
describes the event:
इत्यध्वरे ...
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