[Chaturamnaya] Stories from the Shiva Purana - 1 (Introduction)

[S Jayanarayanan]

The Shiva Purana (SP) is a highly revered Maha-Purana that contains sacred stories pertaining to Lord Shiva.
This series will present a few of these great tales that highlight the Glory of Shiva as the
Supreme Being of the Vedas. Although they may be perceived as Shaivite in nature, these stories teach
the Highest Truths of Vedanta in a simple form for everyone to understand and appreciate.
 
The accounts in the SP include many commonly known events regarding Shiva - His manifestation as a never-ending
pillar of fire sought by Brahma and Vishnu, the Sacrifice of Daksha, Shiva visiting Parvati and
their wedding, etc. But it also contains a few other gems that are less known - The Story of Gunanidhi's Salvation,
Parvati's (or Sati's) test of Rama's apparent grief, The importance of Rudraksha and Vibhuti, Passages teaching
Advaita Vedanta, etc. This series will hopefully shed light on all these wonderful aspects of Shiva, His worship
and His Teachings for the well-being of all Devotees.
 
In cases where there is a similar story appearing in a source other than the SP, that may also be included
in part or whole to contrast these kindred tales. It is especially surprising that the SP actually shares
some parrallel narratives with the Srimad Bhagavatam and/or the Vishnu Purana, which will be noted as and when the
stories are retold here.
 
The source material used will mostly be the English Translation of the Shiva Purana by J. L. Shastri published by
Motilal Banarsidass (1950), which can be found online at:
 
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english
 
 
(To be Continued)