Romaharshana, the suta or storyteller, comes to Naimishavana to attend a yagya. The rishis ask him, “Who is the greatest of the gods, the most perfect and powerful of divine beings?” The learned rishi responds, “I will gladly tell you of the purest, most perfect of beings, the great Lord Shiva.”


So begins the telling of the Shiva Purana, recited by Romaharshana over many days. A telling that came to him from the sage Vyasa, who in turn heard it from the sage Narada himself.

Amar Chitra Katha brings the story of the foremost of all yogis, the barefoot god with matted locks and animal-skin robes. He is the one who manifests energy and is limitless. He is known to be gentle, benevolent and almost indulgent towards his devotees, and ruthless towards those who destroy the balance of the world with their evil ways. He is Shiva, also called Mahadeva.

Mahadeva, Section 3, tells the stories of Shiva and Parvati's illustrious sons, Kartikeya and Ganesha. Born to kill the demon Tarakasura, Kartikeya has an unusual birth and upbringing. As for the much-loved Ganesha, the story of his creation is one that has enthralled people through centuries.