God is above the three characteristics of nature

ब्रह्माद्यास्त्रिगुणाधीशाः शिवस्त्रिगुणतः परः |

निर्विकारी परब्रह्म तुर्यः प्रकृतितः परः || 5 ||

Lord Brahma, etc. are the lords of the three gunas (characteristics of nature: sattva, rajas, tamas); Lord Shiva is above the three gunas, free from defects, the supreme element, in the fourth state, transcending nature.

Only Lord Shiva is said to be the giver of liberation

मुक्तेर्दाता मुनिश्रेष्ठाः केवलं शिव उच्यते |

ब्रह्माद्या न हि ते ज्ञेयाः केवलं च त्रिवर्गदाः || 4 ||

 

Best of the sages, only Lord Shiva is said to be the giver of liberation. Brahma, etc. are not to be known as such; (they are) givers of the three (other) values – Dharma, Artha, Kama.

Four kinds of liberations

मुक्तिनिरुपणं नामैकचत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः

Liberation description Chapter 41

सूत उवाच |

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

मुक्तिश्चतुर्विधा प्रोक्ता श्रूयतां कथयामि वः |

संसारक्लेशसंहर्त्री परमानन्ददायिनी || 2 ||
सारुप्या चैव सालोक्या सान्निध्या च तथा परा |

सायुज्या च चतुर्थी सा व्रतेनानेन य भवेत् || 3 ||

Killer of the sufferings of this world and giver of highest joy, liberation is said to be of four kinds. Listen, I (will) tell you.
Saarupya, Saalokya, Saannidhya and the higher Saayujya, the fourth, which happens with this (Shivratri) vow.

And there is also a fifth one, Kaivalya, which is mentioned later.

God tells Lord Vishnu how one should pray

व्याधेश्वरमाहात्म्ये शिवरात्रिव्रतमहिमनिरुपणं नामाष्टत्रिंशोऽध्यायः

Importance of Shivaratri vow in Vyadheshwara importance description Chapter 38

शिव उवाच |

Lord Shiva said (to Lord Vishnu)

कुले मम महादेव भजनं तेऽस्तु सर्वदा |

माभूत्तस्य कुले जन्म यत्र त्वं न हि देवता || 81 ||

(One should pray like this.) Great God, in my family, let there always be singing of your praise. Let (me) not be born in a family where you are not the deity.

Lord Krishna worshipped God for 7 months on Badari

कृष्णेन च कृतं नित्यं बदरीपर्वतोत्तमे |

पूजनं तु शिवस्यैव सप्तमासावधि स्वयं || 48 ||

 

And worship of Lord Shiva was done daily by Lord Krishna himself for a period of seven months on the best mountain Badari.

Lord Rama used to apply ash and wear a rudraksha

रामः ससहजो नित्यं पार्थिवं समपूजयत् |

भस्मरुद्राक्षधारी च विरजो योगमास्थितः || 38 ||

 

Lord Rama, along with his brothers, worshipped a clay idol (of Lord Shiva) daily, who used to apply ash (Vibhuti), wear a rudraksha seed, and was without attachments/desires, established in Yoga (means of achieving union with God).

These are typical characteristics of Shaivites.

King Dasharatha, wives, sons worship God with clay idols

पुत्रार्थे पार्थिवीं मूर्तिं शैवीं दशरथो हि सः |

समानर्च विशेषेण वसिष्ठस्याज्ञया मुने || 31 ||
पुत्रेष्टिं च चकारासौ पार्थिवो भवभक्तिमान् |
ऋष्यशृङ्गमुनेराज्ञां संप्राप्य नृपसत्तमः || 32 ||

कौशल्या तत्प्रिया मूर्तिं पार्थिवीं शाङ्करी मुदा |

ऋष्यशृङ्गसमादिष्टा समानर्च सुताप्तये || 33 ||

सुमित्रा च शिवं प्रीत्या कैकेयी नृपवल्लभा |

पूजयामास सत्पुत्रप्राप्तये मुनिसत्तम || 34 ||

 

Sage (Narada), for the sake of obtaining a son/sons, that Dasharatha worshipped a clay idol of Lord Shiva, particularly because of the instruction of Sage Vasishtha.
Devotee of the clay idol of Lord Shiva, the best of the kings (Dasharatha) carried out a son-desire sacrifice instructed by sage Shringa in order to obtain (a son/sons).
His favourite Kaushalya, advised by sage Shringa, gladly worshipped the clay idol of Lord Shiva, for the sake of obtaining a son.
Best of the sages (Narada), Sumitra and Kaikeyi, dear to the king, worshipped Lord Shiva with affection, for the sake of obtaining a good son.

Then Lord Vishnu appears as their son and the sons continue the tradition of worshipping clay idols of Lord Shiva.

Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Brahma are worshippers of Lord Shiva

देवर्षिनृपशैवत्ववर्णनं नाम सप्तत्रिंशोऽध्यायः

Lord Shiva's devotion of of great sages and kings – Chapter 37

 

ब्रह्मोवाच |

Brahma said (to sage Narada)

रमया सहितो विष्णुः शिवपूजां चकार ह |

कृपया परमेशस्य सर्वान्कामानवाप हि || 6 ||
अहं पितामहश्चापि शिवपूजनकारकः |

तस्यैव कृपया तात विश्वसृष्टिकरः सदा || 7 ||

Lord Vishnu, with Goddess Lakshmi (Ramaa) worshipped Lord Shiva. With the
kindness of the supreme God, all desired were indeed fulfilled.
Even though I am the ancestor (of all humans), I am a worshipper of Lord Shiva. Son, only with his grace/kindness am I always the creator of the universe.

This whole chapter gives plenty of examples of incarnations of Lord Vishnu, great sages, great kings, all of whom worshipped Lord Shiva.

Lord Vishnu gets boons from God

शिवसहस्रनामस्तोत्रफलवर्णनं नाम षट्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः

 

Fruits of thousand names of Lord Shiva - Chapter 36

 

शिव उवाच |

 

Lord Shiva said (to Lord Vishnu)

 

मयि भक्तिः सदा ते तु हरे स्यादनपायिनी |

सदा वन्द्यश्च पूज्यश्च लोके भव सुरैरपि || 33 ||

विश्वम्भरेति ते नाम सर्वपापहरं परम् |

भविष्यति न संदेहो मत्प्रसादात्सुरोत्तम || 34 ||

 

Lord Vishnu, you will have my imperishable/permanent devotion always. Become worshippable and praised by the world and even the Devas.
Best of the Devas, your (one more) great name will be Vishvambhara, which can take away all sins, no doubt, because of my good wish.

Lord Vishnu needs a weapon from God to kill Daityas

विष्णुरुवाच |

Lord Vishnu said (to God)

 

वाच्यं किं मे त्वदग्रे वै ह्यन्तर्यामी त्वमास्थितः |

तथापि कथ्यते नाथ तव शासनगौरवात् || 26 ||

दैत्यैश्च पीडितं विश्वं सुखं नो नः सदाशिव |

दैत्यान्हन्तुं मम स्वामिन्स्वायुधं न प्रवर्तते || 27 ||

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि नान्यो मे रक्षकः परः |

अतोऽहं परमेशान शरणं त्वां समागतः || 28 ||

 

What do I have to say in front of you (when) you who knows everything from inside people's minds/hearts/souls is here? Still, Lord, for the pride/respect of your order, it will be said.
Lord Shiva, the world is suffering from the Daitya demons, and we have no happiness. My Lord, there exists no weapon of my own for killing the Daityas.
What do I do? Where do I go? There is no greater protector of mine (than you). Therefore, supreme God, I have come to your refuge.

Lord Vishnu worships God with lotuses for thousand names

विष्णुसुदर्शनचक्रलाभवर्णनं नाम चतुश्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः

 

Lord Vishnu's getting Sudarshan chakra Chapter 34

 

सूत उवाच |

 

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

 

ततः सुविस्मितो विष्णुर्भक्त्या परमयान्वितः |

सहस्रैर्नामभिः प्रीत्या तुष्टाव परमेश्वरम् || 18 ||

प्रत्येकं कमलं तस्मै नाममन्त्रमुदिर्य च |

पूजयामास वै शंभुं शरणागतवत्सलम् || 19 ||

 

Then Lord Vishnu, full of high devotion, surprised (at no response from God), tried to satisfy the supreme God with thousand names with affection.
And each lotus (was offered) after speaking a name, (thus) worshipped Lord Shiva, who is kind to those who take refuge in him.

Rudra sahasranama (thousand names) are in the next chapter, which will not be quoted.

One who does good to someone who has done harm

घुश्मेशज्योतिर्लिङ्गोत्पत्तिमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम त्रयत्रिम्शोऽध्यायः

 

Ghushmesha Jyotirlinga creation and greatness/importance description Chapter 33

 

घुश्मोवाच |

 

Ghushma said (to God)

 

अपकारेषु यश्चैव ह्युपकारं करोति च |

तस्य दर्शनमात्रेण पापं दूरतरं व्रजेत् || 39 ||

इति श्रुतं मया देव भगवद्वाक्यमद्भुतम् |

तस्माच्चैव कृतं येन क्रियतां च सदाशिव || 40 ||

 

And one who does good only to (someone who) does harm, by just the sight of that person sin goes far away.
Deva, so have I heard (this) wonderful sentence of God. And therefore, Lord Shiva (one who is always good/auspicious), so should be done to the one who did (the sin).

God tells Parvati in Tulsidas Ramayana

उमा संत के इहई बडाई |

मंद करत जो करई भलाई ||

 

Lord Rama asks God to stay there (Rameshwaram)

त्वया स्थेयमिह स्वामिल्लोकानां पावनाय च |

परेषामुपकारार्थं यदि तुष्टोऽसि शंकर || 39 ||

 

Lord, Shankara, if you are satisfied/pleased, you have to stay here to make the worlds holier, for the good of others.

Lord Rama prays to God before going to Lanka

रामेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकत्रिम्शोऽध्यायः

 

Rameshwara (Jyotirlinga) greatness/importance description Chapter 31

 

राम उवाच |

 

Lord Rama said (to God)

 

स्वामिञ्छम्भो महादेव सर्वदा भक्तवत्सल |

पाहि मां शरणापन्नं तवद्भक्तं दीनमानसम् || 24 ||

 

Lord Shambhu, the great God, always kind to devotees, please protect me (who has) come to (your) refuge, your devotee, with a sad/depressed mind.

Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga and river Gautami destroy great sins

त्र्यम्बकेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम षड्विम्शोऽध्यायः

 

Tryambakeshwara greatness/importance description Chapter 26

 

सूत उवाच |

 

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

 

इत्येवं प्रार्थितैस्तस्तु गौतमेन महर्षिणा |

स्थितोऽसौ शङ्करः प्रीत्या स्थिता स च सरिद्वरा || 49 ||

स गङ्गा गौतमी नाम्ना लिङ्गं त्र्यम्बकमीरितम् |

ख्याता ख्यातं बभूवाथ महापातकनाशनम् || 50 ||

 

Prayed in this way by the great sage Gautama, Lord Shiva stayed there with affection, and so also the great river (Ganga).
That Ganga by the name of Gautami, (and) the famous Linga called Tryambakam became famous as the destroyer of great sins.

Karma has to be suffered/enjoyed

कृतकर्मक्षयो नास्ति कल्पकोटिशतैरपि |

अवश्यमेव भोक्तव्यं कृतं कर्मं शुभाशुभम् || 39 ||

 

There is no disappearance of done karma even in a large number of kalpas (in a very long time). Good and bad karma done has to be invariably enjoyed/suffered.

All kinds of people who die in Kashi are liberated

काशीविश्वेश्वरज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम त्रयोविम्शोऽध्यायः

Kashi Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga greatness/importance description Chapter 23

परमेश्वर उवाच |

The supreme God said (to Goddess Parvati)

सर्वे वर्णा आश्रमाश्च बालयौवनवार्द्धकाः |
अस्यां पुर्यां मृताश्चेत्स्युर्मुक्ता एव न संशयः || 14 ||

People of all varnas, all ashramas, children, young or old people, if
die in this city are as good as liberated, no doubt.

Kashi, the capital of the earth

यद्दिनं हि समारभ्य हरः काश्यामुपागतः |

तदारभ्य च सा काशी सर्वश्रेष्ठतराऽभवत् || 40 ||

 

And starting from that day when Lord Shiva arrived in Kashi, that Kashi became the utmost best (place on the earth, also "capital" of the earth).

Avimukteshwara Linga gives Saayujya liberation

अविमुक्तेश्वरं लिङ्गं काश्यां तिष्ठति सर्वदा |

मुक्तिदातृ च लोकानां महापातकिनामपि || 25 ||
अन्यत्र प्राप्यते मुक्तिः सारुप्यादिर्मुनीश्वराः |

अत्रैव प्राप्यते जीवैः सायुज्या मुक्तिरुत्तमा || 26 ||

The Avimukteshwara Linga stays in Kashi always. And giver of liberation of the worlds, even of great sinners.
Sages, elsewhere gets one Saarupya and other (Saalokya, Saamipya, Saannidhya, Kaivalya) liberations. Here only living beings get the best Saayujya liberation.

On the order of God, Lord Brahma created the universe with 14 worlds

शिवाज्ञां स समासाद्य सृष्टिं चक्रेऽद्भुतं तदा |

चतुर्दशमिता लोका ब्रह्माण्डे यत्र निर्मिताः || 17 ||

 

Having received the order of Lord Shiva, (Lord Brahma) made the amazing creation, (with) 14 worlds set up in the universe where constructed.

Manikarnika in Kashi

विश्वेश्वरमाहात्म्ये काश्यां रुद्रगमनवर्णनं नाम द्वाविम्शोऽध्यायः

Lord Rudra's going to Kashi description in Vishweshwara greatness Chapter 22

 

सूत उवाच |

 

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

 

ततश्च विष्णुना दृष्ट्वा किमेतद्दृश्यतेऽद्भुतम् |

इत्याश्चर्यं तदा दृष्ट्वा शिरसः कम्पनं कृतम् || 13 ||

ततश्च पतितः कर्णान्मणिश्च पुरतः प्रभोः |

तद्बभूव महत्तीर्थं नामतो मणिकर्णिका || 14 ||

 

And then Lord Vishnu having seen, (wondered) what this amazing thing is visible. Having seen such a surprise, vibrated (shook) his head.
And then from an ear fell a gem of the Lord (Vishnu) in front. Then (that place) became a great place of pilgrimage (tirtha) by the name of Manikarnika (where the Kashi Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga temple is).

The great God agrees to stay on Kedara in the form of light

केदारेश्वरज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकोनविम्शोऽध्यायः

 

Kedareshwara Jyotirlinga greatness/importance description Chapter 19

 

सूत उवाच |

 

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

इत्युक्तस्तु तदा ताभ्यां केदारे हिमसंश्रये |

स्वयं च शङ्करस्तस्थौ ज्योतीरुपो महेश्वरः || 7 ||

 

They (Nara and Narayana) having said that (to stay here in your form) on Kedara, the abode of snow, Lord Shiva, the great God himself in the form of light stayed there.

Mahakaleshwara appears

गर्तात्ततः समुत्पन्नः शिवो विकटरूपधृक् |

महाकाल इति ख्यातो दुष्टहन्ता सतां गतिः || 37 ||

 

Then Lord Shiva bearing a frightening form emerged from the pit, well known as Mahakala, killer of the evil people and bestowing good progress (or heaven or liberation) to the good people.

Sacred city Ujjain capable of giving liberation, favourite of God

महाकालज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम षोडशोऽध्यायः

 

Mahakala Jyotirlinga greatness/importance description Chapter 16

सूत उवाच |

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

 

अवन्ती नगरी रम्या मुक्तिदा सर्वदेहिनाम् ||

शिवप्रिया महापुण्या वर्तते लोकपावनी || 5 ||

 

The pleasing city of Avanti (Avantika, Ujjayini, Ujjain) is capable of giving liberation to all living beings. Favourite of Lord Shiva, with high merits, it exists, sacred to the world.

God and Goddess visit Mallikarjuna once a month

मल्लिकार्जुनद्वितीयज्योतिर्लिङ्गवर्णनं नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः

 

Mallikarjuna – second Jyotirlinga description Chapter 15

 

सूत उवाच |

 

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

 

अमावस्यादिने शंभुः स्वयं गच्छति तत्र हि |

पौर्णमासीदिने तत्र पार्वती गच्छति ध्रुवम् || 18 ||

 

On the new moon day, Lord Shiva himself really goes there. On the full moon day, Goddess Parvati certainly goes there.

Chandrakunda near Somanath destroys sins

चन्द्रकुण्डं प्रसिद्धं च पृथिव्यां पापनाशनम् |
तत्र स्नाति नरो यः स सर्वैः पापैः प्रमुच्यते || 54 ||

And Chandrakunda (a pool named after the moon), well known on the
earth, (is) capable of destroying sins. A man who bathes there is
liberated from all sins.

Somanath Jyotirlinga can destroy diseases

सोमेश्वरश्च नाम्नाऽऽसीद्विख्यातो भुवनत्रये |

क्षयकुष्ठादिरोगाणां नाशकः पूजनाद्द्विजाः || 51 ||

 

And sages, famous in the three worlds by the name of Someshwara, (it is) capable of destroying diseases including tuberculosis and leprosy by worshipping.

Moon worships God by Mrityunjaya mantra

सोमनाथज्योतिर्लिङ्गोत्पत्तिवर्णनं नाम चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः

Somanath Jyotirlinga evolution description Chapter 14

सूत उवाच |

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

चन्द्रेण च तपस्तप्तं षण्मासं च निरन्तरम् |

मृत्युञ्जयेन मन्त्रेण पूजितो वृषभध्वजः || 39 ||

And penance (was) performed by the moon continuously for six months, worshipping Lord Shiva (who has a bull on his flag) by the Mrityunjaya mantra.

Mahabaleshwara Linga established by Lord Ganesha in Gokarna kshetra

महाबलमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामाष्टमोऽध्यायः

Mahabala (Linga) importance description Chapter 8

सूत उवाच |

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

घोरेण तपसा लब्धं रावणाख्येन रक्षसा |
तल्लिङ्गं स्थापयामास गोकर्णे गणनायकः || 14 ||
गोकर्णं शिवलिङ्गं तु मोक्षद्वार उदाहृतः |
महाबलाभिधानोऽसौ पूजितः संस्तुतो द्विजाः || 24 ||

Obtained by severe penance by a demon called Ravana, that Linga was established in Gokarna by Ganesha (who offered to keep the Linga while Ravana did his prayers in the evening, but put it down where it got firmly established).
The Gokarna Shivalinga is considered to be a gate to liberation. Brahmanas (sages), this (Shivalinga) called Mahabala (or Mahabaleshwara) is worshipped and praised.

Nandikeshwara tirtha on the bank of Narmada

सूत उवाच |

Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

ऊर्ध्वपुच्छं तदा कृत्वा शीघ्रम् गौर्नर्मदां प्रति |
आगत्य नन्दिकस्यास्य समीपे नर्मदाजले || 51 ||
संनिमज्य त्रिवारं तु श्वेतत्वं चः गता हि सा |
यथागतं गता सा च ब्राह्मणो विस्मयं गतः || 52 ||
अहो धन्यतमं तीर्थं ब्रह्महत्यानिवारणम् |
स्वयं च मज्जितस्तत्र ब्राह्मणः सेवकस्तथा || 53 ||

Making the tail upright, the cow quickly (went) towards Narmada. (She) arrived at the Narmada waters near this Nandikeshwara (tirtha, place of pilgrimage).
Having bathed in the water thrice, she got (recovered) the whiteness (after having turned black from being hit by the Brahmana and released/rejected). She became like she was and the Brahmana (who was following her to see where she goes and what she does) became surprised.
(He thought) what a greatest tirtha (place of pilgrimage) which is capable of removing the sin of killing a Brahmana! The Brahmana himself bathed there, so also his assistant.

 

Nobody is anybody's anything

कदापि कर्मणो नाशः कदा भोगः प्रजायते |
तस्माच्च पुनरेवं त्वमकर्म कर्तुमुद्यता || 26 ||
अहं कुतस्ते पुत्रोऽद्य त्वं माता कुत एव च |
वृथाऽभिमानः पुत्रत्वे मातृत्वे च विचार्यताम् || 27 ||
क्व माता क्व पिता विद्धि क्व स्वामी क्व कलत्रकम् |
न कोऽपि कस्य चास्तीह सर्वेऽपि स्वकृन्तभुजः || 28 ||
एवं ज्ञात्वा त्वया मातर्दुःखं त्याज्यं सुयत्नतः |
सुभगाचरणं कार्यं परलोकसुखेप्सया || 29 ||

Sometimes (bad) karma (gets) destroyed, sometimes enjoyments come. And therefore you are again about to do bad karma (to kill the Brahmana's son).
From where am I your son today, and from where are you (my) mother? Such futile pride in sonhood and motherhood should be thought about.
Where/when (someone is) known as mother, father, husband, wife? Nobody is anybody's anything here (on the earth); everyone is enjoying/suffering one's karma.
Mother, knowing so, you have to give up (your) sorrow with good effort. Good/nice behaviour should be done by (those) wishing happiness in the other worlds.