The Shiva Purana (, ) or Shiva Mahapurana is the supreme Purana of the Shaivites. Shiv Purana is attributed to Rishi ved Vyas. The Mahapurana details the creation, preservation and ultimate destruction of the universe and serves as a guide to the worship of the Supreme God Shiva, among other gods and goddesses. According to a tradition which is stated in the (the Venkateshvara Press edition) of this text, the original text was known as the Shaiva Purana. Although it may be weakly and narrowly cited that the Shiva Purana is a tamas purana as per the Padma Purana, Shaivites consider this Puran to be the supreme Sattva text and a guide for true virtuous living. The Vidyesvara Samhita is the authoritative text for Shaivites on the treatise of Rudrakasha and bhasma. As well, the Mahapurana authoritatively explains the creation of the Dus Mahavidyha, Saligram Sila, correct method of puja, yantra worship and the exhaustive treatise on initiation into Shaivism.