Whoever recites or listens to the Śiva Purāṇa each day finds that every meritorious act they perform is multiplied a crore-fold. If one recites with concentration the revered Śrī Rudra Saṃhitā contained within, even the gravest of sins—such as Brahmin-killing—are washed away within just three days. When a devotee, observing silence, recites this Rudra-saṃhitā three times daily before the image of Bhairava, all their desires are fulfilled without exception. Moreover, if one recites the Rudra-saṃhitā while circumambulating a banyan or bilva tree, they are freed from the sin of Brahmin-killing. Among these sacred texts, the Kailāsa-saṃhitā is held in the highest regard, being the very embodiment of Brahman and directly revealing the meaning of the sacred syllable Oṃ. Of its greatness, only Śaṅkara knows it fully; Vyāsa knows half, and I, O twice-born ones, know merely half of that. I will share but a little, for it is impossible to tell all. Yet, even a little knowledge of this brings immediate purity of mind. O twice-born, I have searched the world and found no sin that this powerful Saṃhitā cannot destroy. It was joyfully produced by Śiva from the ocean of the Upaniṣads and offered to Kumāra; whoever partakes of this nectar truly becomes immortal. If one, seeking atonement for sins as grave as Brahmin-killing, recites this Saṃhitā for just a month, they are freed. Even a single recitation destroys the sins born of accepting improper gifts, eating impure food, or uttering evil speech. Reciting this Saṃhitā in a temple of Śiva or in a grove of bilva trees yields results beyond words. If, with devotion, one recites it and feeds Brahmins at a śrāddha ceremony, all his ancestors attain the supreme abode of Śambhu. Fasting on the fourteenth day and reciting this Saṃhitā at the root of a bilva tree brings the direct worship of Śiva and all the gods. There are other Saṃhitās as well, each bestowing all desired fruits and filled with the play of knowledge. Thus, the Śaiva Purāṇa, equal to the Veda, has been declared—first composed by Śiva himself, in accord with Brahman. The distinguished Purāṇas include the Vidyeśa, Tāra-Raudra, Vaināyaka, Aumika, Mātṛ, the Rudra in eleven parts, Kailāsa, and Śatarudra; also, the Koṭirudra, beginning with a thousand Koṭirudras, and the Vāyavīya, known as Dharma. There are twelve Saṃhitās, considered supremely meritorious. O Brahmins, listen as I declare their number. The Vidyeśa contains ten thousand verses; likewise, the Rudra, Vaināyaka, Aumika, and Mātṛ Purāṇas each have eight thousand verses. The Eleven Rudras collection has thirteen thousand, Kailāsa six thousand, and Śatarudra half of that. Koṭirudra is three times eleven thousand; Sahasrakoṭirudra is said to be a thousand times ten million Rudras in verses. Vāyavīya is a hundred times the ocean, and Gharma is a thousand times the sun; thus, by Śaiva reckoning, their total reaches a hundred thousand. Yet, Vyāsa condensed it to twenty-four thousand verses. Among these, the Śaiva Purāṇa is the fourth, consisting of seven saṃhitās. Long ago, Śiva conceived the Purāṇa, originally numbering a hundred times ten million verses, but much was forgotten at the dawn of creation. During the Dvāpara and other ages, the Purāṇas were divided into eighteen and condensed to four hundred thousand by Dvaipāyana and others. The Śiva Purāṇa, with its twenty-four thousand verses and seven saṃhitās, is esteemed as equal to the Veda. The first saṃhitā is called Vidyeśvara, the second Raudrī, the third Śatarudra, the fourth Koṭirudra, the fifth Uma, the sixth Kailāsa, and the seventh Vāyavīya. Thus, the seven saṃhitās are recognized. This divine Purāṇa, called Śiva, with its seven saṃhitās, is most excellent, equal to Brahman, and grants the highest goal. Whoever, with devotion, recites this Śiva Purāṇa in its entirety is said to be liberated while living. Hundreds of Śruti, Smṛti, Purāṇa, Itihāsa, and Āgama texts are not even a fraction of this Śiva Purāṇa. Praised by Śiva himself, this pure Śaiva Purāṇa was not compiled in summary by Vyāsa, who was devoted to Śiva; it uniquely benefits all beings, destroys the threefold suffering, and bestows auspiciousness upon the virtuous. Here, dharma is taught without deceit, grounded in Vedānta knowledge, and is to be known by the wise, free from envy, established in the three aims of life. The Śaiva Purāṇa, truly the crest-jewel of Purāṇas, shines with Vedānta knowledge and sings of the Supreme Reality. Whoever recites or listens to it with supreme devotion becomes dear to Śambhu and attains the highest goal. Having heard these words, the supreme sages said to Sūta, “Recite for us the wondrous Purāṇa, the very essence and entirety of Vedānta.” Hearing the sages, Sūta, greatly delighted, remembered Śaṃkara and spoke to the best of sages: “Let all the sages listen, remembering Śiva, the flawless one—the Śaiva Purāṇa, devoted to the Purāṇic tradition and the essence of the Vedas. Here, the threefold song is sung with affection, bringing devotion, knowledge, and detachment. The true reality, known through Vedānta, is distinctly described.