|| Om Nama: Shivaya ||

Chapter –6– The significance of Sri Shivamahapuran – The legend of Chanchula -3

 Gathva  Thathra Mahadevam Sa Dhadharsha  Thrilochanam | Vishnu Bhramadhibhirdevai: Sevyamanam Sanathanam || Ganesha Bhringhi Nandhisha Veerabhadhresharadhibhi: | Upasyamanam Sadhbhakthya Kotisurya Samaprabham || Neelaghreevam Panchavakthram Thrayambakam Chandrashekharam | Vamange Bhibhratham Gaurim Vidhyuth PUcchaSamaprabham|| Karpoora Gauram Gaurisham Sarvalankara Dharinam | Sitha Bhasmalasathdheham Sithavasthram Mahojjwalam ||

Sutha Pauranika continues “Thus, the Bhramin scholar continued recitation of Sri Sivamahapuran in the shrine, in this way he showered grace upon her.  Chanchula was pleased and listened to the glorious myths of supreme Lord Shiva with tears overflowing.  Chanchula said “ Oh! Mahashaiva ! Oh! Dhvija, who is selfless, imparts the knowledge of supreme Bhramam, your kind words are capable to invoke Vairagya in me.  Kindly, protect me from heaving into hell. I have already started feeling detached from worldly matters, and devotion raptures in my heart.” In this way, Chanchula prayed to the scholarly Bhramin and revealed her desire to the stories of Sri Shivamahapuran, she also informed her willingness to serve him.  The Bhramin who is an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva began to give lectures on Sri Shivamahapuran in the shrine, eventually Chanchula transported to a world of the bliss of  Bhakti, Gnana, and Vairagya.  Chanchula with the help of the preceptor elevated her soul contemplating upon the supreme Lord Shiva, she blissfully engaged in meditation for several hours.  She took daily bath in the sacred river of Gokarna, gradually she has developed matted hair locks, attired in simple black garment, smeared in sacred ashes, adorned in Rudraksha, recited several thousands of Panchakshara, observed vow of silence, and consumed little meal, in this way Chanchula sincerely followed the advises of her preceptor and pleased supreme Lord Shiva.  Oh! Shaunak, she has continued the austerities for several years, enriched with Bhakti, Gnana, and Vairagya, eventually left her mortal coil.  She was carried in a decorated celestial vehicle by the emissary of Lord Shiva who had the resemblance of Rudra, they have taken her to Shivapuri, in the assembly of  Chandhrashekhara and Ma Gauri.  On her way, Chanchula achieved a divine body; she had supreme brilliance, adorned in various precious ornaments, attired in magnificent clothes. As soon as she arrived in the supreme abode of Lord Mahadeva who is Thrilochana and Sanathana, she could witness Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu and deities are serving him.  Lord Mahadeva who has the brilliance of crores of Surya was surrounded by Lord Ganesha, Bhringi, Nandikeshwara, and Veerabhadhra.  Chanchula saw the supreme Lord Mahadeva who has a bluish throat, he has five faces, three eyes on each face, adorned in a crescent moon, was seated with Ma Gauri seated on his left and she has the brilliance of lightning.  Chanchula witnessed the supreme Lord Shiva who is the Lord of Ma Gauri adorned in various precious ornaments, his body has the complexion of camphor, he has supreme brilliance, attired in a white crisp garment, and he was smeared in sacred ashes on the body.  Chanchula repeatedly prostrated before the supreme Lord Mahadeva along with Ma Parvathi, she felt extremely fortunate, with tears overflowing and folded hands continuously prostrated before the divine couple.  Lord Mahadeva and Ma Parvati affectionately called her and asked her to sit before them.  Ma Parvati heartily announced Chanchula as one of her attendants, in this way Chanchula started living happily in the abode of supreme Lord Shiva.

|| Om Nama: Shivaya ||

Chapter –5– The significance of Sri Shivamahapuran – The legend of Chanchula -2

Sutha Pauranika continued “ Oh! Shaunak, Chanchula who was fallen at his feet of Bhramin, the intelligent Bhramin pacified and said “ Oh! Dhvija Pathni,  it was your fortune you could listen to the glorious Sri Shivamahapuran,  it was Lord Shiva’s compassionate grace on you made regret your previous sins and sprouted  Vairagya, you have changed your mind from the sinful deeds.  This glorious Purana is capable to bring salvation to the listeners and readers as well.  Therefore don’t be afraid, take complete surrender to supreme Lord Shiva, you will be relieved from all the sins with the grace of Lord Shiva.  I shall describe the life of supreme Yogi Lord Shiva that would provide comfort to you, with this legend you would remain free from all the sins, listening to the legend itself would purify your intellect and repent for the sins committed in life. You will get relieved from all the sins with a sense of regret, even though there are several austerities to perform as atonement for the sins.  Oh! Dhvija Pathni, listening to the legends of Sri Shivamahapuran is the supreme penance to get rid of the sins committed, with the constant listening to the glories of supreme Lord Shiva, the mind becomes spotless like a mirror.  Whoever listens to the glorious myths of Sri Shivapuran would attain the eternal presence of Supreme Lord Shiva along with Ma Parvathi in their hearts, eventually, their presence would make the listener freed from sins, ultimately attain the abode of Lord Shiva.  Therefore everyone should listen to the myths of Lord Mahadeva, it could cultivate intense devotion at the lotus feet of Mahadeva who is the Lord of Ma Parvathi, with the constant practice of meditation, one could attain the supreme knowledge of oneness-in-all, and the presence of the Supreme Lord as soul, definitely, it will lead them to Moksha.  The listening to the glorious Shivamahapuran and meditation upon supreme Lord would bring salvation, with the constant practice of listening to this scripture would bring the mind and intellect wedged on the feet of Lord Shiva, eventually, it would get purified.  This was practiced by the sons Lord Ganesha and Lord Karthikeya of supreme Lord Shiva and Ma Parvathi, with the constant contemplation upon supreme Lord Mahadeva, they have cultivated intense devotion.  Therefore, Oh! Dhvijapathi, listen to the legends of supreme Lord Shiva on a daily basis, it would free your mind from impurities, and worldly matters, eventually purify your sins.  Hence, listen to me carefully, whoever meditates upon supreme Lord Shiva and take shelter upon his lotus feet would be liberated in this birth itself.”

|| Om Nama: Shivaya ||

Chapter –4– The significance of Sri Shivamahapuran – The legend of Chanchula -1

 Sutha ! Sutha ! Mahabhaga! Sarvajjoasi Mahamathe | Thvath Prasadhath Kritharththyoaham Puna: Puna: || Dhanya Dhanya Katha  Shambhosthavam  Dhanyo Dhanya  Yevacha | Yadha Karnenamathrena  Shivalokam Vrajen Nara: ||

Shaunaka speaks “Oh! Sutha, Oh! Mahabhaga, you have profound knowledge of scriptures, you have described the significance of Sri Shiva Mahapuranam brilliantly, we are grateful to you.  We repeatedly offer our salutations to you. We are extremely delighted to listen to the glorious legend of supreme Lord Shiva, kindly narrates another legend that enhances the devotion at the lotus feet of supreme Lord Shiva.  The people who engage in immoral deeds, consumption of intoxicating drinks would never attain salvation, but the nectar-like legend of Lord Shiva would easily bring salvation to them as well, we are fortunate to listen to the marvelous description of the legend of supreme Lord Shiva,  mere listening to these glorious myths would provide the abode of supreme Lord Shiva. ”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Vedaviththama who is profound in Veda, listen to me carefully, although the legends of supreme Lord Shiva are highly confidential, I would like to recite the entire myths before you because you are the foremost disciple of Lord Shiva/Shivabhakthanam Agrani.  There was a village named Bhashkala located on the shores of a vast ocean, where people were not interested in the Vedic way of life, wicked natured, engaged in various deceitful deeds, unfortunate and evil natured, earned a livelihood by farming, they were skilled in the usage of the weapon for their selfish motive, they were ill-mannered to their wives.  They were isolated from Bhakti, Gnana Vairagya, which is the source of the welfare of all.  They were illiterate, behaved like animals, they have no faith or beliefs, they madly followed in made-up stories, these people did not know Varnna or Ashrama Dharma, always engaged in worldly matters.  The women of the village are quite displeased, ill-mannered, and short-tempered, engaged in various immoral deeds, freely moved at their own will.  There was a Bhramin Binduka who was exactly virtue less like the other inhabitants of Bhaskala, engaged in various disrespectful deeds, even though he had a beautiful wife named Chanchula.  Bhramin Binduka was lustful, forced his wife to follow illicit relationships with men, therefore the wives of Bhramins in the same village isolated Chanchula who was virtuous before, meanwhile,  Binduka took great pleasure in the association of prostitutes, and Chanchula forced to work for other men. Thus the husband and wife engaged in lustful deeds for livelihood.  Later, Binduka started abusing her physically; she could not bear the torture of Binduka.  She refused to be with him, she became lustful and angry over her husband’s company with other women.  Binduka forced her to take money from the people who enjoy bodily pleasures with her, and he would enjoy the company of other women with the money earned by his wife.  Thus, the husband and wife mutually agreed and started living an utterly disgraceful life.  Several years have passed, Binduka reached latter years of age and died of an incurable illness.  Chanchula spends her youthful days with men and lived in her son’s house.  Finally, the youthful days have passed, once she had to travel to the glorious land Gokarna with her relatives.  She had a dip in the sacred river and started wandering around aimlessly; she found a shrine in which a Bhramin was reciting wonderful legends of Sri Shiva Mahapuran.  The Bhramin was explaining the hellish tortures to the people who take pleasure in the illicit relationship, women who neglect to serve their husbands and enjoys bodily pleasures with other men would undergo tortures by the emissaries of Lord Yama, they will be taken to the hell and blazing rode of iron would be thrust in their womb.  Chanchula was horrified listening to this legend explained by the intellectual Bhramin, instantly it multiplied Vairagya in her.  Thus, the recital of Srishivamahapuran was concluded on that day.  The Bhramin scholar was about to leave the shrine, Chanchula ran after him and confessed all her terrible sins before him, shed tears of extreme agony, and begged to relieve from the sins and ignorant deeds.  The widow Chanchula was extremely pain-stricken, regretted the life she had followed all these years.  She has realized that she had forgotten her noble path and heaved to the disgraceful ways that accumulated various sins due to her excessive lust and greed for a few pennies. She was terrified and ashamed of her deeds, various thoughts splashed her mind, and how could I face the emissaries of Lord Yama after the death? How could I bear the tortures of hell?.    She was broken down with extreme fear and guilt, she understood that there is no atonement for her sins, even the hundreds of Ashwamedha Yaga, or bathing in the sacred river Ganga for hundred years won’t bring any relief to her.  She was terrified, various thoughts were crossing her mind, who will protect me from my sins? She felt like drowning once again in the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence.  She has fallen at the feet of Bhramin scholar and cried with folded hands “ Oh! Noble Bhramin, I shall take refuge at your feet, kindly protect me from the hellish tortures, you are my preceptor, therefore kindly protect this miserable woman before you.”

|| Om Nama: Shivaya ||

Chapter – 3– The significance of Sri Shivamahapuran – The legend of Devaraja

Dhanya  Shivapuranasya  Katha  Parama Pavani | Yasya: Shravanamathrena  Papiyanapi Mukthibhak || Sadhashiva Mahasthanam Param Dhama Paramampadham | Yadhahurvadhavidhwasa:  Sarvalokopari Sthitham ||

Shaunaka speaks “  Oh! Sutha, Oh! Sutha,  Oh! Mahabhaga, you have a thorough knowledge of Supreme philosophy, you have described several glorious legends that destroy all the sins, purify the mind and intellect of the listeners and readers in the Kali era.  Kindly repeat the same for us.”

 Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Shaunak, in the Kali era, people tend to forget their responsibilities and duties, engage in sinful deeds, remains passionate in worldly matters.  Listening or reading to the glorious legends of Shivamahapuran would purify them, it is considered as Gnana Yajja, with the merit attained they can live a comfortable and happy life on Earth, and ultimately attain salvation.  The recitation of Sri Shivamahapuran pleases Lord Shiva, and destroys all the sins of the worshiper in the Kali era.  The listening of recitation Sri Shivamahapuran benefits people with impure intellect, people who do not follow Varna Ashrama Dharma, people are swollen with pride, guilt, greed, lust, desire, etc. people who disgrace their parents, wicked and people commit grave sins like Bhramahathya and stealing the wealth of twice-born would get relieved from all the sins. I shall describe the legend of a Bhramin Devaraj who was lived in the city of Kirata, he was illiterate, did not follow any of the Bhraminic rites, and he was suffering from extreme poverty.  He was not interested in performing any Dharmic rites, or visiting shrines or learning scriptures or Veda,  he earned a livelihood by selling intoxicating drinks, performing the duty of a Vaishya, he did not do any noble deeds or sun worship, he engaged in wicked and selfish deeds. He quarreled with people of all Varna and snatched their wealth, in this way he has accumulated wealth but did not spend a penny on any religious or spiritual rite.  Once, he went to take a bath in a nearby pond, found a woman Shobhavathi who engages in an illicit relationship with men.  He looked at her lovely appearance, instantly they both fallen for each other, eventually got married to her.  They both indulged in various passionate sports and forgot the world.  Several years have passed, Devaraj’s parents advised their son to stay away from evil deeds, and he did not follow any of their words.  One night while his parents were asleep, he killed them with the assistance of his wife and took all their wealth.  Devaraj was madly in love with her, he ate the leftover a meal of her, consumed intoxicating drinks, he ate all that prohibited to a Bhramin.   Once, Devaraj had to conduct a trip, fortunately, he arrived in the city Prathishtana and found a shrine of Lord Shiva where a large number of ascetics assembled.  As soon as he entered the city, he was infected high fever could not travel further, so he decided to stay in the shrine itself, where the ascetics were listening to the recital of Sri Shivamahapuran.  In a month’s time, Devaraj’s died of severe infection.  The emissaries of Lord Yama prepared to take him to the abode of Lord Yama, soon there arrived the emissaries of Lord Shiva attired in white garments, smeared in sacred ashes all over the body, adorned in Rudraksha, holding a trident.  The emissaries of Lord Shiva had a series of an argument with the emissaries of Yama, eventually took Devaraj in a celestial vehicle to the abode of Lord Shiva.  Lord Yama saw the emissaries of Lord Shiva, greeted them reverentially.  They took Devaraja to Kailash and produced him before Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.  Whoever listens to the legend of Devaraja would get relieved from all the sins, ultimately attain salvation.  The place where the recitation of Sri Shivamahapuran held would be considered as Sadhashiva Mahasthana /Paramapadham/ Paramdham.  Devaraja like wicked and immoral got freed from the repeated births by listening to the recitation of Sri Shivamahapuran.

|| Om Nama: Shivaya ||

Chapter – 2– The significance of Sri Shiva Mahapuran -2

Shaivam Puranam Amalam Shaiva  Sarvavamadharath |Sevaneeyam  Prayathnena Parathrehasukhepsuna|| Chathurvargapradham Shaivam Puranam Amalam  Paramam | Shrothavyam Sarvadha  Preethya  Padithavyam Visheshatha: ||

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Munishardhoola, You have shown great interest to listen to the myths of the supreme Lord, therefore I shall narrate the legends from the sacred scripture Sri Shivamahapuran.  The legend from this sacred scripture would enhance devotion, it would please the supreme Lord Shiva, eventually attain an abundance of meritorious rewards, Oh! Vathsa, listen to me carefully, these legends are like nectar to ears.  It would remove the venomous serpent-like fear of death, it is superior among the Puranas which was described, Lord Shiva to Maharishi Vedavyasa.  Later, it was retold by Maharishi Vedavyasa to Sanathkumara for the welfare of the people in the Kali era.  This sacred scripture is one of the remedies to cure the evilness of Kali, it would remove impurities of the mind of the people.  Oh! Mune, only fortunate ones would get the opportunity to read or listen to this sacred scripture, with the piousness earned from the abundance of righteous deeds performed in their previous births. This sacred scripture describes the splendor of living Lord on Earth Lord Shiva, therefore it should be recited or listened and contemplate upon it.  Whoever reads or listens to it with intense devotion and faith would attain the supreme abode of Lord Shiva.  The worshiper would live a contented and pleasant life on Earth, it would fulfill all the desires of the worshiper.  Listening to this sacred Purana would remove all the sins of the worshiper, it would provide immense happiness and pleasures of the world, ultimately the worshiper would achieve the supreme abode of Lord Shiva.  The merits of listening to this Purana provides the merit of the performance of  Rajasooya Yajja and Agnishtoma.  Oh! Mune, whoever listens to the glorious Purana praising the glories of Lord Shiva would be considered as Rudras, therefore the dust particles from the feet of the persons who listens or reads the glorious Purana would be considered as sacred as equal to holy places.  People who are desirous of visiting sacred places on the Earth should listen to it with devotion and contemplate on it.  Oh! Munisaththama, if a person could not listen or read the entire scriptures, he could listen or read to it for two Muhurththa with utmost dedication or he could listen to it on auspicious months or a Muhurtha or half Muhurtha or for a moment, so that they need not face any misfortune in his life.  Oh! Munisaththama, whoever listens to this Purana would burn dense wood-like their sins, eventually, they would cross the ocean of worldly existence at ease.  Listening or reading to the Shiva Purana would provide the merits of the performance of abundance of charity and fire sacrifices.  The reading and listening to the glory of supreme Lord Shiva is the highest of the righteous deed/Dharma which could provide Moksha in the Kali era, it is Kalpavriksha that fulfills all the desires of the worshiper.  This sacred scripture was composed by Lord Shiva, bearing in mind of the people of the Kali era, for the welfare of the people who tend to stay away from the religious and spiritual rites.  The nectar could make the people immortal who consumed it, but listening to this glorious Purana would make the people and their entire families immortal.   It is divine nectar should be recited daily, that could purify listeners as well as their families, eventually, Lord Shiva resides in the hearts of people who recites or listen to it.”

Sutha Pauranika continues “ Oh! Mune, the sacred Shiva Mahapuran has twenty-four thousands of verses comprise seven Samhithas, it imparts the knowledge of Bhakti, Gnana, and Vairagya.  The Seven Samhitas are Vindhyeshwara Samhitha, Rudra Samhitha, Shatharudra Samhitha, Koti Rudra Samhitha, Uma Samhitha,  Kailasa Samhitha and Vayavya Samhitha.   This sacred describes the splendor of supreme Lord Shiva who is the absolute Bhramam and provider of Moksha.  Whoever reads or listens to it would be relieved from worldly bondage.  The houses where the recitation of Shiva Mahapuran held would become sacred Theertha, and the people living in the homes would be freed from sins.  The recitation of this sacred scripture would bring an abundance of meritorious rewards that excels hundreds of Vajapeya Yagnas, and thousands of  Ashwamedha Yaga.  Oh! Munisaththama, whoever reads or listens to it would earn piousness that excels, the holy dip in the  sacred rivers Ganga, Godavari, Yamuna, Saraswathi, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri, and piousness of living in holy cities like  Ayodhya, Mathura, Mayapuri, Haridwar, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanthika and Dwaraka.  Whoever desires for Moksha would read the verses and its meanings, he/she would become a noble soul.  Whoever listens to the Shiva Mahapuran at the time leaving the Earth would attain the abode of supreme Lord Shiva.  Whoever worship and venerate the sacred scripture Shiva Mahapuran covered in silk clothe would enjoy the pleasures on the Earth and attain the abode of Lord Shiva after death.  Listening and reading this sacred scripture with devotion and faith would bring the purity of intellect, removes lethargy, it removes all the sins of the worshiper, it provides Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.  This sacred scripture is considered as the essence of Veda and Vedantha, it removes all the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence,  It provides an abundance of welfare, hence it is beloved of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and all the deities.  I shall adore the sacred scripture Sri Shiva Mahapuran, with intense faith and devotion, I shall earnestly pray to supreme Lord Shiva to shower his grace and bestow intense devotion at his lotus feet.”

|| Om Nama: Shivaya ||

Chapter – 1 – The significance of Sri Shiva Mahapuran

The sacred scripture Sri Shiva Mahapuran was written by Maharishi Vedavyasa, it is considered as the jewel of all the scriptures, it is the essence of Veda and Vedanta.  Whoever reads or listens to it with intense devotion and faith would attain nearness of Lord Shambhu, eventually attain Paramamgathi.  It was initiated from the face of Lord Mahadeva, considered as the essence of Veda. It provides Bhakti, Gnana and Vairagya.  It has seven cantos such as Vindhyeshwara Samhitha, Rudrasamhitha, Shatha Koti Rudrasamhitha, Koti Rudrasamhitha, Uma Samhitha, Kailasha Samhitha, and  Vayavya Samhitha. 

Hey Hey  Sutha !  Mahaprajja !  Sarvasidhdhanthavith Prabho | Akhyahi Mey Kathayasaram Purananam Visheshatha: ||

Rishi Shaunaka speaks “ Oh! Sutha, Oh! Mahaprajja, who is profound in all scriptures and Shasthras, philosophies, kindly narrate the splendor of greatest among the scriptures.  Kindly describe 1) How did people who are in the Grihasthashrama, immersed in worldly matters, performs various righteous deeds, meticulously follow the rules and regulations prescribed in scriptures would enhance their devotion? How do they overcome the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence? 2) How did people can get rid of the influence of the evil effects of the Kali era?  People have turned out with demonic nature in the Kaliyuga, how could they get rid of the evilness? 3) Which is the highly righteous deed/Paramam Shreyasam that could purify the people? 4) How did people get rid of their sins and attain the grace of supreme Lord Shiva?”