Shiva Purana is of utmost importance to devotees of Lord Shiva.
It is studied by Shaivites with ardent devotion. This sacred text informs about the most compassionate Lord of cosmos.
Lord Shiva is also known as the most powerful God or Mrityuanjeya-one is Lord of Death.
It was compiled by Sage Veda Vyas and is one of the eighteen important sacred Hindu texts.
Shiva means auspicious God, who is also the most compassionate one.
Shiva also means sacred light or Jyoti.
Shiva is known as Ashutosh,one who is easily pleased by his devotees.
Even little amount of water can be offered to him.
He also likes Bel Patra.
His kind nature makes him the most accessible Lord.
Thus, one may find rich and poor making a beeline to his temples.
In other words, he accepts all irrespective of caste, gender and creed.
There fore, one may find human beings to Gods to demons as ardent devotees of Lord Shiva.
Shiva is also known as Mahadev- Lord of many cosmic forces.
There are twelve sacred Shiva temples known as Jyotirlinga-Somnath,Shri Shillam, Omkareshwar,Mamleshwar, Kedar nath,Vishwanath, Tryambaknath, Vaidyanath,Ghushmeshwar,Nageshwar,Rameshwaram,Mallika arjunam.
Since Shiva means sacred light, thus, these sacred spots are known as Jyotirlingam.
Shiva is also god of procreation. He is prayed as God who blesses married couples with auspicious life.
Shiva is also prayed as Lord of planets. His name is seen as antidote to malefic planets. Shiva is also prayed as an incarnation of Lord Hanuman, so one may find devotees of Rama ardently praying to Shiva.
Shiva Purana explains about many such sacred qualities of Lord Shiva.
It also explains why “Om Nama Shivaya” is known as Mantra raj (omnipotent sacred chant).Shravana is treated as month of Shiva.
It is said, “Shravana means paying heed to Shiva. If we chant his name for a while, he will bless us irrespective of our faith”