1-Brahm Puraan,  2-Padm Puraan,  3-Vishnu Puraan,  4-Shiv Puraan,  5-Bhaagvat Puraan,
6-Naarad Puraan,  7-Maarkandeya Puraan,  8-Agni Puraan,  9-Bhavishya Puraan,
10-Brahm Vaivart Puraan,  11-Ling Puraan,  12-Varaah Puraan,  13-Skand Puraan,
14-Vaaman Puraan,  15-Koorm Puraan,  16-Matsya Puraan,  17-Garud Puraan,  18-Brahmaand Puraan
 

Stories

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Paarvatee said, "I understand about the Moon now, but why do you always smear ashes on your body? What is the reason for that? Shiv told her the following story.

There used to be a Braahman who was descended from the great sage Bhrigu. This Braahman began a very difficult Tapasyaa. The tremendous heat of the summer made no difference to him, nor was he disturbed by the downpour of the monsoon. He was only interested in meditating. When he felt hungry, he used to ask the bears, the deer, the lions and the jackals to fetch him some fruits. The wild beasts had lost all fear of him, they served him instead. Later on, the Braahman gave up eating fruits also. He ate only green leaves. And because eating leaves only he got known as Parnad. He performed Tapasyaa for many years.

One day, Parnad was cutting some grass and his scythe slipped and sliced off his middle finger. Parnad was amazed to find that no blood issued from the severed joint. Instead, a sap like that which issues from plants came out. Parnad's vanity knew no bounds. He realized that this was due to the fact that he had been living on green leaves for such long time. Parnad began to jump with delight.

Shiv decided that Parnad needed to be taught a lesson. He disguised himself as a Braahman and arrived before Parnad.
"Why are you so happy?" asked Shiv.

"Can’t you see?" replied Parnad, "My Tapasyaa has been so successful that my blood has become like the sap of plants."
"This sort of vanity destroys the fruits of all Tapasyaa", thought Shiv, but spoke - "What have you got to be so proud about? Your blood has only turned into the sap of plants. What happens when you burn plants? They become ashes. I myself have performed so much Tapasyaa that my blood has becomes ashes."

After having said this Shiv Jee sliced off his middle finger and ashes came out of it. Parnad was very impressed seeing this. He realized that there was nothing that he could be proud about; here was a far greater hermit than he. He asked Shiv who he was and Shiv then displayed his true form to Parnad.

Ever since that day, there have always been ashes on Shiv’s body.

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