Shiv Puran

The glorious praise of Mahadeva has been done in many mythological scriptures. In all the scriptures of the Sanatan culture, Lord Shiva is said to be the best and soon to be pleased among the gods. Lord Shiva is pleased with the little urging of the devotees and gives them the desired blessing. Therefore, the God of devolution of evils is worshiped with full heart by Dev, Demon, Yaksha, Kinnar, Manav, etc. Two of the eighteen Puranas are dedicated to the great saga of Mahadeva. This is Shivpuran and Lingpuran.

On the day of worship, in the morning, after bathing, be purified by daily deeds and become holy, then offer holy water to Lord Shiva, Maa Parvati and Nandi at the place of worship. Fill holy water in the earthen pot and pour water on the Shivling with flowers, sandalwood, rice, bilvapatra, Aak and Dhatura. If there is not any Shivalaya (Temple of Lord Shiva) nearby, then Shivling can also be made with pure wet soil and worshiped. On Mahashivaratri, one should wake up at night with a fast and listen to the path of Shiv Puran. In the next morning, fasting should be completed by doing havan with barley, sesame, kheer and bilvapatra.

According to religious texts, the story of this fast is as follows-

Once upon a time there lived a Bheel (forest inhabitant) in the forest of Varanasi. His name was Gurudruh. He used to hunt wildlife and feed his family. Once on the day of Shivaratri, he went to the forest to hunt. That day he did not find any hunt all day and it became night. Then he saw a lake in the forest. He thought I climbed the tree here and waited for the hunt. He thinks that surely any animal will come here to drink water. He filled the vessel of water and climbed on the Bilvriksha. Shivling was also placed under that tree.

After a while there came a doe. As soon as Gurudruh put an arrow on the bow to kill the doe, the leaves and water of the Bilvriksha fell on the Shivling. Thus, in the first hour of the night, he was worshiped by him unknowingly. Then doe saw him and say him that my children would be waiting for me. I will return by handing them over to my sister. The hunter left him when doe said so.

After a while, the doe's sister came to the lake looking for her. The hunter saw him again and put an arrow at his bow. This time also in the second half of the night, the leaves and water of Bilvriksha fell on Shivling and Shiva was worshiped. The deer also asked to keep his children in a safe place. The hunter let him go as well. After a while there a deer came in search of his doe. This time the same thing happened and Shivling was worshiped in the third time. The deer also went away, leaving his children in a safe place. When the three doe and deer met, the three came to the hunter due to the promise. Seeing everyone together, the hunter was very happy and again he put an arrow on his bow, which led to the worship of Shivling again in the fourth time.

Thus Gurudruh remained hungry and thirsty throughout the day and he kept awake all night and worshiped Shiva on four times unknowingly, and concluded the fast of Shivaratri, due to which his sins were also eradicated immediately. He leaved the idea of killing all the deer and his heart became purified. Then Lord Shiva appeared from the Shivling and gave a boon to Gurudruh that in Tretayuga, Lord Rama would come to your house and befriend you. You will also get salvation. In this way, Lord Shiva granted Moksha (salvation) to the hunter by the Shivaratri fast performed by him unknowingly.