Studies in the Epics and Puranas c10.24

c10.24

Now, coming first to the Śiva Purāṇa, we find that it is the Vāyavīya Saṃhitā alone of the work that is proclaimed by Vāyu in connection with the Śvetakalpa, and has two parts.¹³ The whole Purāṇa is not proclaimed by Vāyu, and hence on this simple ground alone, the whole work cannot be docketed as Vāyavīya Purāṇa. It, no doubt, preaches the greatness of Śiva, and also has sections on Dānadharma, etc., as stated in the Nāradīya; but there is no Gayāsura episode, no Revāmāhātmya, nor are there to be found chapters dealing with Sarga, Manvantara, etc. MSS of Revāmāhātmya are never found included in the MSS of either the Śiva or the Vāyu; they are always separately available and the colophon reads: वायुपुराणांतर्गतरेवा-माहात्म्य.¹⁴