Siva Mahapurana: An Exhaustive Introduction (In 3 Volumes)

by Shanti Lal Nagar

Sanskrit Text, English Translation with Photographs of Archaeological Evidence. The Puranas are considered to be the pillars of the Vedic dharma comprising of Sruti, Smrti and Puranas. The Siva-Mahapurana is a famous one amongst the eighteen Mahapuranas. Relatively bigger in size, this Purana is primarily of a religious tone, dedicated mainly to the glory, various forms, their importance and valour of lord Siva.

There had been certain deities, who after once appearing over the Indian Religious horizon, never lost their importance and continue here even to the present times, facing all the political, religions and other adversities. Lord Siva comes under this category, because his following never disappeared from the Indian scene after he attained the position of adoration and worship.

Lord Siva has always remained important among all the gods starting form the oldest scriptures - Vedas, Brahmana literatures and Upanisads to the late poets and writers of Kasmira, he has been always the mainframe of these literatures. Even various philosophies emerged in the past among the followers of lord Siva. Siva-Mahapurana, besides the Mahatmya, is comprised of seven Samhitas:-

1. Vidyesvara Samhita
2. Rudra Samhita
• Srsti Khanda
• Sati Khanda
• Parvati Khanda
• Kumara Khanda
• Yuddha Khanda
3. Satarudra Samhita
4. Koti Rudra Samhita
5. Uma Samhita
6. Kailasa Samhita
7. Vayaviya Samhita
• First Part
• Second Part.

While bringing out the English version of the Siva Purana, a new element of correlating the main events, with the available archaeological evidence in the entire length and breadth of the country relating to the gods and the goddesses referred to in this Purana, have been illustrated on the basis of which it makes this work of a unique chapters.

About the Author:

Shantilal Nagar, a graduate of the Punjab University, served in the curatorial capacity in the Central Asian Antiquities Museum, New Delhi, the Archaeological Museum Nalanda, and Archaeological Section of the Indian Museum, Calcutta for a number of years. He has to his credit the scientific documentation of over fifty thousand antiquities, in these museums, representing the rich cultural heritage of the country and comprising of sculptures, bronzes, terracottas, beads, seals and sealing, ancient Indian numismatics, wood work, miniatures and paintings, textiles and Pearce collection of gems, ranging from the earliest times to the late medieval period. He was awarded, in 1987, a fellowship, for his monograph on the Temples of Himachal Pradesh, by the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. He has authored more than 38 books.