Stories from the Siva Purana

The Siva Purna is especially meant for those in the mode of ignorance. The distinctive feature of the Siva Purna is that Lord iva is portrayed as the Absolute Truth and all others, even Lord Visnu, are said to be his servants. Because this contradicts the version of other Purana, one may doubt how different Purana can say different things. How this is so is nicely understood from this passage found in the book, Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead: Vksura happened to meet the great sage Nrada and consulted with him as to whom he should approach to achieve quick results from his austerity. He inquired, Of the three deities, namely Lord Brahm, Lord Visnu and Lord Siva, who is most quickly satisfied? Nrada could understand the plan of the demon, and he advised him, You had better worship Lord Siva; then you will quickly get the desired result. Lord iva is very quickly satisfied and very quickly dissatisfied also. So you try to satisfy Lord Siva. Nrada also cited instances wherein demons like Rvana and Banasura were enriched with great opulences simply by satisfying Lord Siva with prayers. Because the great sage Nrada was aware of the nature of the demon Vksura, he did not advise him to approach Visnu or Lord Brahm. Persons such as Vksura, who are situated in the material mode of ignorance, cannot stick to the worship of Visnu.