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{{Hindu scriptures}}
== Introduction ==
The Shiva Purana has twenty-four thousand shlokas. These are divided into six samhitas or sections. The names of the sectiosn are jnana samhita, vidyeshvara samhit, kailasa samhita, sanatkumar samhita, vayaviya samhita and dharma samhit. Each samhita is further subdivided into chapters (adhyaya). Jnana samhita has seventy-eight chapters, vidyeshvara samhita sixteen, kailasa samhita twelve, sanathkumar samhila fifty-nine, vayaviya samhita thirty and dharma samhita sixty-five.
The Shiva Purana was recited by Vedavyasa’s disciple Romaharshana, alternatively, Loma-harshana.
== Pillar of Light ==
It talks of how Shiva came forth as a pillar of light in front of Vishna and Brahma. It mentions the discord between Vishnu and Brahma about the origin of light and how they later relaize that the light is none but Shiva.
The Linga
== Marriages of Shiva and Tarakasura ==
It mentions the birth of Rudra and marriage of Sati to Rudra, Daksha's sacrifice and Sati destroying herself.
It mentions Parvati who married Shiva and how Tarakasura was slain by the son of Parvati and Shiva.
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It then talks about Tarakasura's sons and Tripura, created by Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha and Viryavana.
==Why Ketaki and Champaka flowers are not be used for Shiva's worship==
It talks about why a Ketaki flower is never to be used for the worship of Shiva, because of Sita's curse. Sita had cursed the Falgu river that it would henceforth only flow underground. She cursed the ketaki flower that it would never be accepted by Shiva as an offering. She cursed the cow that its mouth would henceforth become impure. It had, after all, lied with its mouth. The hind sections of the cow would however continue to be pure. And finally Sita cursed the fire that it would consume everything indiscriminately.
That is the reason why a ketaki flower must never be used to worship Shiva.
A Champaka flower is never used for Shiva's worship and that story is mention in the Purana.
== Ganesha ==
It then mentions the birth of Ganesha - how Parvati created her son from clay and how Shiva cut Ganesha's head off and how Ganesha was brought to life by Shiva.
It talks of Ganesha and Kartikeya Quarrel and how Ganesha's devotion to his parents made him the winner and subesequently Ganesha's wedding with Vishvarupa's daughters ,Siddhi and Buddhi. These two were married to Ganesha with a lot of fanfare. Ganesha and Siddhi had a son named Laksha and Ganesha and Buddhi had a son named Labha.
== The Twelve Jyotirlingas ==
It mentions the Jyotirlingas. A linga is an image of Shiva. There are several lingas. Whichever is the place where devotees congregate, there Shiva manifests himself in the form of a linga.
However, there are twelve important lingas and these are known as jyotirlingas are Somanatha, Mallikarjuna, Mahakala, Omkara, Kedara, Bhima-shankara, Vishvanatha, Trymbaka, Vaidyanatha, Nagesha, Rameshvara and Ghushnesha.
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To get the Sudarshana Chakra, Vishnu prayed to Shiva reciting each of the thousand names. Each of those names are mentioned:
== Thousand Names of Shiva ==
(1) Shiva, Hara, Mrida, Rudra, Pushkara, Pushpalochana, Arthigamya, Sadachara, Sharva, Shambhu.
(2) Maheshvara, Chandrapida, Chandramouli, Vishva, Vishvamareshvara, Vedantasara-sandoha, Kapali, Nilalohita, Dhyanadhara, Aparicchedya.
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(100) Vivikshu, Visharada, Shubhada, Shubhakarta, Shubhanama, Shubha, Anarthita, Aguna, Sakshi, Akarta.
== Other Tales ==
It mentions the importance of Shivarati Vrata
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Manvantaras
== Epilogue ==
The assembled sages were gratified at Romaharshana having recited for them the Shiva Purana. They worshipped Romaharshana. But, warned Romaharshana, never divulge what I have told you, to those who are disrespectful or to those who do not believe in god.
Repeatly, Shiva himself appears in order to bless his devotees. A person who donates the Shiva Purana, along with gold and a bull, gets to live for ever in Shivaloka.
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