"Do not be afraid. Seek refuge in Śiva. All sins perish instantly by Śiva’s grace. I shall explain to you that great object attached to the glorification of Śiva, whereby your course hereafter will be pleasant always. It is by listening to the excellent story that your mind has now turned to the pure path of repentance and detachment from worldly pleasures. Repentance is the only way of acquittance for all sinners. Saintly men have extolled it as the only way of expiation for all sins. Purity can be realised by repentence alone. If a sinner expiates in the manner advised by śāstra, it removes all sins.”

“Nowhere in the world are those who drink intoxicating beverages honoured with liberation. But in regard to the nectar of the story of Śiva it is different. When drunk, it straightaway accords salvation. Thou art blessed, blessed indeed. Blessed, blessed is the story of Śiva, on hearing which a man attains Śivaloka.”

Śaunaka’s questions to Sūta Gosvāmī form the basis of Śiva Purāṇa:

• What is the essence of the Purāṇas?  

"Blessed indeed is the story of Śiva Purāṇa, the holiest of holy stories, the mere hearing of which qualifies even the greatest sinner for salvation. O Sūta, thou art the most blessed and fortunate knower of the greatest Truth. Out of great compassion, thou art narrating to us this divine wonderful tale, Śiva Purāṇa. This wonderful narrative that destroys hosts of sins, purifies the mind, and propitiates Lord Śiva is being heard by us thanks to thy mercy. We have decisively realised that there is nothing so fine and nice as this epic. Who among sinners in the Kali age get sanctified by this story?"

“The holy Śiva Purāṇa that accords the four aims of life—dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa—must be heard and read with great devotion always. Śiva Purāṇa, the greatest harbinger of perfect welfare among the Vedas, Itihāsas and other sacred texts, must be thoroughly understood by those who seek salvation. This Śiva Purāṇa is forever the greatest resort of the knowers of Ātman; it is the noblest object worthy of adoration for good men; it suppresses the three types of distress—physical illness, extraneous attacks and divine calamities—it accords happiness always, and it is very pleasing to all Devas led by Brahmā, Hari and Īśa. With extremely delighted mind I bow unto Śiva Purāṇa forever. May Śiva be pleased by this recitation and bestow on me eternal devotion to His feet.”

The sages said, “What is that great sadya (the Achievable)? What is that great sādhana (means of achievement)? Of what sort is the sādhaka (performer of the rite)? Please explain these precisely.” Brahmā answered: “The attainment of Śiva’s region is the sadya. The sādhana is devotional service rendered unto Him. The sādhaka is the person who is free from desire even for permanent existence, which attitude is the result of His grace.”