Sūta said: O saintly men, the question that you put me is very pertinent. Prompted by my love towards you all I shall, remembering my preceptor, the benefactor of the three worlds, tell you everything. All of you listen attentively.
वेदांतसारसर्वस्वं पुराणं शैवमुत्तमम् । सर्वाघौघोद्धारकरं परत्र परमार्थदम् २ ।
The entire essence of Vedānta is contained in the excellent Śivapurāṇa. It dispells all sins. It affords the attainment of the highest truth (Brahma) hereafter.
कलिकल्मषविध्वंसि यस्मिञ्छिवयशः परम् । विजृम्भते सदा विप्राश्चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम् ३ ।
O brahmins, the great glory of Śiva, that destroys the sin of the Kali age, unfolds itself in the Purāṇa and yields the fruits of the four varieties (Dharma, Artha, Kāma and Mokṣa).
तावद्विजृंभते पापं ब्रह्महत्यापुरस्सरम् । यावच्छिवपुराणं हि नोदेष्यति जगत्यहो ५ ।
It is only as long as the Śivapurāṇa has not risen high in the world, that Brahma-hatyā (the sin of slaying a brahmin) and other sins display themselves.