Shiva Purana (Books 1 & 7)

श्रिया च वपुषा चैव त्रिभिश्चापि विलोचनैः प्राकारैरभिकृत्यानां प्रत्यभिज्ञापकं प्रभोः

Resplendent in glory and form, with three eyes, surrounded by ramparts signifying the Lord's recognition.

अविलंघ्य जगत्कर्तुराज्ञापनमिवागतम् सर्वानुग्रहणं शंभोः साक्षादिव पुरःस्थितम्

It appeared as if the unbreakable command of the Creator of the universe had arrived, as if Shiva's universal grace stood manifest before their eyes.

शिलादतनयं साक्षाच्छ्रीमच्छूलवरायुधम् विश्वेश्वरगणाध्यक्षं विश्वेश्वरमिवापरम्

There was the son of Shilada himself, bearing the blessed trident and boar-weapon, chief of Shiva's hosts, like another Lord of the universe.

विश्वस्यापि विधात्ःणां निग्रहानुग्रहक्षमम् चतुर्बाहुमुदारांगं चन्द्ररेखाविभूषितम्

Capable of both restraint and favor even towards the creators of the world, four-armed, noble-bodied, adorned with the crescent moon.

कंठे नागेन मौलौ च शशांकेनाप्यलंकृतम् सविग्रहमिवैश्वर्यं सामर्थ्यमिव सक्रियम्

With a serpent on his neck and the moon on his head as ornaments, possessing sovereignty as if embodied, and power as if active.

समाप्तमिव निर्वाणं सर्वज्ञमिव संगतम् दृष्ट्वा प्रहृष्टवदनो ब्रह्मपुत्रः सहर्षिभिः

As if liberation itself was complete, as if omniscience had taken form—seeing him, the son of Brahma, with the sages, became joyful in countenance.

तस्थौ प्राञ्जलिरुत्थाय तस्यात्मानमिवार्पयन् अथ तत्रांतरे तस्मिन्विमाने चावनिं गते

He stood up with joined palms, offering himself as if to his very self. Then, as the chariot descended to the earth,

प्रणम्य दण्डवद्देवं स्तुत्वा व्यज्ञापयन्मुनीम् षट्कुलीया इमे दीर्घं नैमिषे सत्रमास्थिताः आगता ब्रह्मणादिष्टाः पूर्वमेवाभिकांक्षया

Bowing down like a staff to the god, praising him, he addressed the sages: 'These six families have long been engaged in the Naimisha sacrifice, having come here by Brahma's command, desiring this from the beginning.'

श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ब्रह्मपुत्रस्य नंदीछित्त्वा पाशान्दृष्टिपातेन सद्यः शैवं धर्मं चैश्वरं ज्ञानयोगं दत्त्वा भूयो देवपार्श्वं जगाम

Hearing the words of the son of Brahma, Nandi, by a mere glance, instantly cut their bonds, granting them Shaiva law, divine knowledge, and yoga, and then returned to the side of the gods.

सनत्कुमारेण च तत्समस्तं व्यासाय साक्षाद्गुरवे ममोक्तम् व्यासेन चोक्तं महितेन मह्यं मया च तद्वः कथितं समासात्

All this was directly spoken by Sanatkumara to Vyasa, the revered teacher, and by the illustrious Vyasa to me, and now I have told it to you in summary.

नावेदविद्भ्यः कथनीयमेतत्पुराणरत्नं पुरशासनस्य नाभक्तशिष्याय च नास्तिकेभ्यो दत्तं हि मोहान्निरयं ददाति

This jewel of a Purana, the ordinance of the ancient Lord, is not to be told to those ignorant of the Veda, nor to unfaithful disciples or unbelievers; for, if given out of delusion, it leads to hell.

मार्गेण सेवानुगतेन यैस्तद्दत्तं गृहीतं पठितं श्रुतं वा तेभ्यः सुखं धर्ममुखं त्रिवर्गं निर्वाणमंते नियतं ददाति

To those who, with devotion and proper conduct, have received, studied, or listened to what has been given on this path, he certainly grants happiness, the gateway to righteousness, the three aims of life, and liberation in the end.

परस्परस्योपकृतं भवद्भिर्मया च पौराणिकमार्गयोगात् अतो गमिष्ये ऽहमवाप्तकामः समस्तमेवास्तु शिवं सदा नः

Through the path of the Purāṇas, you and I have mutually benefited each other; now, my desires fulfilled, I shall depart. May auspiciousness always be with us all.

सूते कृताशिषि गते मुनयः सुवृत्ता यागे च पर्यवसिते महति प्रयोगे काले कलौ च विषयैः कलुषायमाणे वाराणसीपरिसरे वसतिं विनेतुः

When the sacrifice was completed, the sages, having fulfilled their vows, and at the end of the great rite, in the age of Kali, when people are tainted by sense objects, they established their residence near Vārāṇasī.

अथ च ते पशुपाशमुमुक्षयाखिलतया कृतपाशुपतव्रताः अधिकृताखिलबोधसमाधयः परमनिर्वृतिमापुरनिंदिताः

Then, with the desire to be freed entirely from the bonds of worldly existence, having observed the vow of devotion to Paśupati, and possessing complete knowledge and concentration, they attained supreme bliss, beyond reproach.

एतच्छिवपुराणं हि समाप्तं हितमादरात् पठितव्यं प्रयत्नेन श्रोतव्यं च तथैव हि

This Śiva Purāṇa is now completed; it is beneficial and should be recited with care and listened to with equal diligence.

नास्तिकाय न वक्तव्यमश्रद्धाय शठाय च अभक्ताय महेशस्य तथा धर्मध्वजाय च

It should not be spoken to an atheist, one without faith, a deceitful person, one who is not devoted to Maheśa, or one who is only outwardly righteous.

एतच्छ्रुत्या ह्येकवारं भवेत्पापं हि भस्मसात् अभक्तो भक्तिमाप्नोति भक्तो भक्तिसमृद्धिभाक्

By hearing this even once, sin is reduced to ashes; the non-devotee gains devotion, and the devotee attains the fullness of devotion.

पुनः श्रुते च सद्भक्तिर्मुक्तिस्स्याच्च श्रुतेः पुनः तस्मात्पुनःपुनश्चैव श्रोतव्यं हि मुमुक्षुभिः

By hearing it again, true devotion arises, and by further hearing, liberation is attained; therefore, those who seek liberation should listen to it repeatedly.

पञ्चावृत्तिः प्रकर्तव्या पुराणस्यास्य सद्धिया परं फलं समुद्दिश्य तत्प्राप्नोति न संशयः

One should recite this Purāṇa five times with sincere intent, aiming for the highest result; by doing so, one certainly attains it, without doubt.

पुरातनाश्च राजानो विप्रा वैश्याश्च सत्तमाः सप्तकृत्वस्तदावृत्त्यालभन्त शिवदर्शनम्

In ancient times, kings, excellent brāhmaṇas, and noble vaiśyas, by reciting it seven times, attained the vision of Śiva.

श्रोष्यत्यथापि यश्चेदं मानवो भक्तितत्परः इह भुक्त्वाखिलान्भोगानंते मुक्तिं लभेच्च सः

If any person, devoted and intent on devotion, listens to this, after enjoying all pleasures in this life, he attains liberation in the end.

एतच्छिवपुराणं हि शिवस्यातिप्रियं परम् भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं ब्रह्मसंमितं भक्तिवर्धनम्

This Śiva Purāṇa is most dear to Śiva, bestowing both enjoyment and liberation, equal to the Veda, and increases devotion.

एतच्छिवपुराणस्य वक्तुः श्रोतुश्च सर्वदा सगणस्ससुतस्सांबश्शं करोतु स शंकरः

May Śaṃkara always grant well-being to the speaker and the listener of this Śiva Purāṇa, along with their families, attendants, sons, and mothers.