Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s3.t12.10

v2.c10.s3.t12.10

4. **Shiva Purana** (or Vayu Purana) has about 24,000 verses, consists of seven sections, which focusses on extraordinary deeds of Shiva, his wives and two sons. It narrates that Shiva is the origin of the universe and from his left Vishnu is born and from his right Brahma is born. He commands Brahma to create the world, and from Brahma, devas and sages come. Shiva is reincarnated as Sati, who gives birth to the daughter of Daksha Prajapati. Sati marries Shiva and burns herself because her father does not invite her husband Shiva to a sacrificial ceremony. Sati is reincarnated as Parvati, the daughter of the king of Himalayas. Kama attempts to make Shiva fall in love with Parvati and thus shot an arrow at Shiva, but gets burned into ashes by the third eye of Shiva. Parvati marries Shiva. It also tells the stories of Skanda and Ganesa as well as explains the meaning of Linga cult and several holy places of Linga.