"O revered Sages! The source of Vishnu, Rudra all the deities and all the other creations is none other Mahadev. Union with Shiva should be the objective of a man to attain that objective. Listening to the qualities of Lord Shiva, singing devotional songs in his praise and contemplating on him are the greatest means, which help to unite with Shiva." ~ Shiv Maha Purana. Yes, Listening, Kirtan, Contemplation ~ SHRAVAN, KIRTAN, MANAN, the three main activities mentioned in the Shiva Maha Purana are the supreme means to attain liberation.
Purification of the mind by the help of doing worship and chanting the name of God is called Manan. Uttering Shiva mantras or prayers, contemplating or meditating upon the grandeur and significance of Shiva or the sacred texts of Shaivism and performing similar mental activities is manan.
Singing devotional songs in the form of stotra, or hymns of the vedas or even in one's own language is called Kirtan. Singing the glory of Lord Shiva either alone or in the company of other devotees, When it is done in groups it is called bhajan or kirtan. Devotional singing helps the mind become stabilized in God.
Listening from others, or in a gathering of devotees, about Lord Shiva, the concepts of Shaivism, the books on Shaivism, the life and activities of Nayanars or other devotees of Shiva is Shravan.
The Greatness of ShivaLingam is described in Shiva Maha Purana. If a person is incapable of following Shravan, Kirtan and Manan then he should worship the ShivaLingam. Even by doing this he can attain liberation from all the bondages of the world. It's mentioned in Shiva Maha Puran that in Kaliyuga when all the castes have forgotten about their respective duties, to prevent the deterioration in the human values, listening of Shiva Maha Purana and worship of ShivaLingam is the only means by the help of which a man can achieve benediction. Shiva Maha Purana contains the essence of Vedantic philosophy, which gives worldly pleasures as well as Salvation. Mere remembrance of it and Shiva, destroys all the sins of a man.
Love, Light & Peace ~ Hari Om Tat Sat ~ Om Namah Shivaya!
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