Shiva Purana

 In popular Hinduism, Shiva is considered one the three highest aspects of Brahman, or one of the Trimurthis, and identified with the universal function of destruction. His abode is Kailas and his consort Parvathi. Ganesha and Kartikeya are his divine sons, who also occupy an important place in the Hindu pantheon. Shiva's vehicle is Nandi, the divine bull. Saivism is the most popular sect of Hinduism, next to Vaishnavism. Shaivism is a tradition of the masses. It rejects caste privileges that come with birth and exclusive rights of Brahmanas in Hindu ritual traditions.

At one time, Shaivism was indeed the most popular sect of Hinduism. Even today , Shiva is worshipped by millions people not only in India but elsewhere also where Hindus live. Shiva goes by many names and has many forms which include his pleasant and fierce forms. Shiva is also the most popular deity of Tantra and Shakta traditions. Nearly 80% of Hindu literature is dedicated to either Shiva or Vishnu or Shakti, which include the Vedas, the epics, the Puranas and the Agama Shastras. The following are the ten most important reasons why Shiva is a popular Hindu deity and why he is venerated by millions of Hindus.

1. Shiva is easily pleased.

Shiva is known to grant boons to his devotees frequently, even if they happen to be some really wicked ones. He is called Bholenath, the innocent one, because he is pure in heart and easy to please. Which means, if you love him and worship him, and even if you have some defects and weaknesses, you can be sure of his love and compassion.The original manuscript of Shiva Purana consisted of 100,000 verses that were set out in twelve Samhitas (books). It has been written by Romaharshana, who was the disciple of Sage Vyasa, belonging to the Suta class.

Its surviving manuscripts have been found in many different versions and content. For example, one major version has seven books; another version has six books, and the third version is traced to the medieval Bengal region of the Indian Subcontinent that has two large sections, namely the “Purva-Khanda” and the “Uttara Khanda.”

However, like other Puranas, Shiva Purana also existed as a living text that was occasionally edited, recast, as well as revised over a long period. It is estimated that the oldest manuscript of surviving texts had been likely composed around 10th to 11th century CE. Some of its chapters were likely composed after the 14th century.

The Shiva Purana contains several chapters that are centered on Shiva cosmology,

Signs of death according to Shiv Puran

Shiva Purana describes eleven signs that indicate the death of a person. Lord Shiva told Goddess Parvati about the following signs of death:

• A person cannot see his or her shadow if one month is left in a death
• If the tongue of a person gets swollen suddenly and teeth are filled with puss, then it means that death is very close
• If the tongue, mouth, ear, eyes, and nose become hard like a stone, then it means that the person has a month only to leave this world
• If a person is not able to see any color except black color, then it means that death will happen very soon
• If a person begins to see the sun, moon, and sky as red, then it means that death is very close
• When a person dreams of an owl, then it indicates that death is very near
• If a person left-hand goes on twitching, then it signals that death is very near
• If a person is not able to locate the Dhruva star in the sky, then it means that the person will die within six months maximum
• If a person is not able to view his or her reflection in the water, mirror, and oil, then it means that death is going to happen soon
• If a person gets suddenly surrounded by blue flies, then it means that he or she will die within a month
• If a crow, vulture, or pigeon sits on someone’s head, then it means that death is near
• If the color of a person turns into pale yellow, then it is indicative that death will occur shortly
• When a person is not able to see the light of the sun, moon, stars, and fire, then it means that the person will die within six months

12 Jyotirlinga according to Shiva Purana

, according to Shiva Purana, are as follows:

• Kedarnath in the Himalayas
• Bhima Shankar in Dakinya
• Viswesvara in Varanasi
• Triambakeshwar on the banks of River Gautami
• Somnath in Saurashtra
• Mallikarjuna in Sri Sailam
• Mahakaal in Ujjain
• Amareswara at Omkara
• Vaidyanath in Chitha Bhumi
• Nagesa at Daruka
• Rameshwara in Setu Bandhanan
• Ghrishneswara

Can anyone read Shiva Purana at home?

Not only Shiva Purana but also all other Puranas as well are sacred religious texts of Hinduism. So, you can certainly keep any of the Hindu Purana literature (including Shiva Purana) at home as they are pure and pious religious documents of life at large.

The Shiva Purana is a holy religious text that should not only be kept at home but read and understood well. It goes on to enhance your understanding of life. All these religious texts, including Shiva Purana, tell the truth of life, which may not be sweet to you. So, you should be prepared to face the truth.

The Shiva Purana should be placed in a clean, neat, and sanctified place in your home. You should read them slowly so that you can digest their sayings. It will help to resolve you as a person.

So, now you should have got clarity on the subject of whether you should read Shiva Purana at home.

Shiva Purana Book

The Shiva Purana Book is available in Kindle Edition. Many other publishers have also come up with numerous editions of Shiva Purana. For example, Geetapress Gorakhpur has come up with Hardcover Shiva Purana in four volumes. It is cheaply priced and available at all leading online stores .

 mythology, and relationship with Gods, Yoga, Ethics, Pilgrimage Sites, Bhakti, Rivers, as well as Geography and other topics.

The Shiva Purana also throws significant insights on Advaita Vedanta philosophy. The text proves an important source of historical information on the theology behind Shaivism around 2nd-millennium CE.