Shaivites

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



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.

Shiva's devotion of great sages and kings

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



पुत्रार्थे पार्थिवीं मूर्तिं शैवीं दशरथो हि सः |
समानर्च विशेषेण वसिष्ठस्याज्ञया मुनेः || 31 ||
पुत्रेष्टिं च चकारासौ पार्थिवो भवभक्तिमान् |
ऋष्यशृङ्गमुनेराज्ञां संप्राप्य नृपसत्तमः || 32 ||
कौशल्या तत्प्रिया मूर्तिं पार्थिवीं शाङ्करीं 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.

Shiva's devotion of great sages and kings

देवर्षिनृपशैवत्ववर्णनं नाम सप्तत्रिंशोऽध्यायः
Lord Shiva's devotion 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.

Vishvambhara

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 (bearing the universe), which can take away all sins, no doubt, because of my good wish.

Lord Vishnu's getting Sudarshan chakra

विष्णुसुदर्शनचक्रलाभवर्णनं नाम चतुश्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः
Lord Vishnu's getting Sudarshan chakra Chapter 34



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's getting Sudarshan chakra

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 नाममन्त्रमुदीर्य 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.

Ghushmesha Jyotirlinga

घुश्मेशज्योतिर्लिङ्गोत्पत्तिमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम त्रयस्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः
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 ||

Rameshwara

रामेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकत्रिंशोऽध्यायः
Rameshwara (Jyotirlinga) greatness/importance description Chapter 31



राम उवाच |
Lord Rama said (to God)



त्वया स्थेयमिह स्वामिल्लोकानां पावनाय च |
परेषामुपकारार्थं यदि तुष्टोऽसि शंकर || 39 ||
Lord, Shankara, if you are satisfied, you have to stay here to make the worlds holier, for the good of others.  

Rameshwara greatness description

रामेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकत्रिंशोऽध्यायः
Rameshwara (Jyotirlinga) greatness/importance description Chapter 31



राम उवाच |
Lord Rama said (to God)



स्वामिञ्छम्भो महादेव सर्वदा भक्तवत्सल |
पाहि मां शरणापन्नं त्वद्भक्तं 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 greatness/importance

त्र्यम्बकेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम षड्विंशोऽध्यायः
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 ||
सा 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

काशीविश्वेश्वरज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम त्रयोविंशोऽध्यायः
Kashi Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga greatness/importance description Chapter 23



परमेश्वर उवाच |
The supreme God said (to Goddess Parvati)



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.

Kashi

काशीविश्वेश्वरज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम त्रयोविंशोऽध्यायः
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

विश्वेश्वरमाहात्म्ये काश्यां रुद्रगमनवर्णनं नाम द्वाविंशोऽध्यायः
Lord Rudra's going to Kashi description in Vishweshwara greatness Chapter 22



सूत उवाच |
Suta Goswami said (to the sages)

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

विश्वेश्वरमाहात्म्ये काश्यां रुद्रगमनवर्णनं नाम द्वाविंशोऽध्यायः
Lord Rudra's going to Kashi description in Vishweshwara greatness Chapter 22



सूत उवाच |
Suta Goswami said (to the sages)



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.

Kedareshwara Jyotirlinga

केदारेश्वरज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकोनविंशोऽध्यायः 
Kedareshwara Jyotirlinga greatness/importance description Chapter 19



सूत उवाच |
Suta Goswami said (to the sages)



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

विश्वेश्वरमाहात्म्ये काश्यां रुद्रगमनवर्णनं नाम द्वाविंशोऽध्यायः 
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).

Kedareshwara Jyotirlinga

केदारेश्वरज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकोनविंशोऽध्यायः 
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.

Mahakala Jyotirlinga

महाकालज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम षोडशोऽध्यायः
Mahakala Jyotirlinga greatness/importance description Chapter 16



सूत उवाच |
Suta Goswami said (to the sages)



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.

Mahakala Jyotirlinga

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.

Mallikarjuna

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.