Vishunu PuranaA PROSE ENGLISH TRANSLATION VISHNUPURANAM (BASED ON Proressor H. H. Witson's TRANSLATION.) AoITRD AND eUBLISHED BY MANMATHA NATH DUTT, M.A. MBAS, Rector, KesHuB ACADEMY; Author of the English Translations of the Srimadbhagavatam, Mahabharata, Bhagavat-Gita and other works. CALCUTTA: Pauren sy H.C. Dass, Elysium Press, 65/2 Beadon Street. —_— 1896.PREF’ S That Purina in which Pardsara, beginning with the events f Varaha Kalpa, expounds all duties, is called Vaishnaua and ; said to consist of twenty-three thousand stanzas. But the stual number of verses falls far short of the enumeration of le Matsya and the Bhagavata. Vishnu Purdnam consists of I the characteristics of the Purana, namely, five specified pics and has been divided into six books. In this translation of Vishnupuranam I have principally ‘awn upon Professor H. H. Wilson’s splendid work, and wwe tried, as best as lies in my power, to interpret the fae thought entombed in this great work. My. work is so much intended for scholars as for the general readers jo-have not the time and leisure to read the original. bfessor Wilson’s book is very costly and cannot be always cured ‘by the readers; and in the face of this difficulty I de my edition will not be unwelcome to the general public. \LCUTTA : pnber 1894.CONTENTS: io PART I, Section I—Invocation. Maitreya inquires of his teacher razara, the origin and nature of the universe. Parasara performs a rite to destroy the demons: reproved by Vasishtha, he desists: Pulastya appears, and bestows upon him divine knowledge; he repeats the Vishnu Purana, Vishnu the origin, existence, and end of all things —P. 1. Skcrton I.—Prayer of Parasara to Vishnu. Successive narration of the Vishnupurana. Explanation of Vasudeva? his existence before creation: his first manifestations. Description of Pradhana or the chief principle of things. Cosmogony. Of Prakrita or material creation; of time; of the active cause. Development of effects: Mahat; Ahankara; Tanmatras; elements; objects of sense; senses; of the mundane egg. Vishnu the same as Bramha the creator; Vishnu the preserver; Rudra the destroyer.—P. 5. Sxcrion ILI.—Measure of time, Moments or Kastha’s, &c., day and fortnight, month, year, divine year: Yugas or ages: Mahajuga, or great age: day of Bramha: periods of the Manus: a Manwantara : night of Bramha, and destruction of the world: a year of Bramha, his life: a Kalpa: Parardha: the past or Padma Kalpa the present or Varaha.—P. 11. Sgcrion IV.—Narayana’s appedrance, in the beginning of the Kalpa, asthe Varaha or Boar: Prithivi addresses him: he raises the world from beneath the waters’: hymned by Sanandana and the Yogis, The earth floats on the ocean; divided into seven Zones. The lower spheres of the universe restored. Creation renewed.—P. 14. Sxcrion V.—Vistinu as Bramha creates the world. General characteristics ie creation. Bramha meditates, and gives origin to immovable thftgw, animals, gods, men. Specific creation of nine kinds; Mahat, Tanmatra, Aindriya, inanimate objects, animals, gods, men, Anugraha Kaumara. More particular account of creation. Origin of different orders of beings from Bramha’s body under different conditions; and of the Vedas from his mouths. All things created again as they existed in a former Kalpa.—P. 19. Suction VI—Origin of the four castes; their primitive state. of Society. Different kinds of grain. Efficacy of sacrifice. ‘Duties of mem: regions assigned them after death—P. 26,ii Skction VII—Creation continued. Production of the mind-born, ‘sons of Brahma; of the Prajapatis; of Sanandana and others; of Rudra and the eleven Rudras; of the Manu Swayambhuva, and his wife Satarupa ; of their children, The daughters of Daksh~, and their marriage to Dharma and others. The progeny of Dharma and Adharma. The perpetual succession of worlds, and different modes of mundane dissolution,—V, 30. Sgcrion VIL!.—Origin of the Rudra ; his becoming eight Rudras ; their wives and children. The posterity of Bhrigu. Account of Sri in conjunction with Vishnu, (Sacrifice of Daksha)—P. 34. Section 1X.—Legend of Lakshmi, Durvasa gives a garland to Indra ; he treats it disrespectfully, and is cursed by the Muni, The ywer of the gods impaired ; they are oppressed by the Danavas, and have recourse to Vishnu. The churning of the ocean. Praises of Sri—P. 37. Section X.—The descendants of the daughters of Daksha marrl- ed tothe Rishis—p. 48. Section XI, Legend of Dhruva, the son of Uttanpada; he is unkindly treated by his father's second wife ; applies to his mother ; her advice: he resolves to engage in religious exercises : sees the seven Rishis, who recommend him to propitiate Vishnu.—P. 50. Secriow XII. Dhruva commences a course of religious aus- terities- Unsuccessful attempts of Indra and ministers to distract Dhrava’s attention : they appeal to Vishnu, who allays their fears and ‘appears to Dhruva, Dhruva praises Vishnu, and is raised to the skies ‘as the pole-star.—P. 54. Sxcrion XIII—Posterity of Dhruva. Legend of Vena; his im- piety, he is put to death bythe Rishis, Anarchy ensues. The pro- duction of Nishad and Prithu: the latter the first king. The origin of Suta and Magadha they enumerate the duties of kings. Prithu “compels Earth to acknowledge his authority : he levels it : introduces cultivations : erects cities, Earth called after him Prithivi ; typified apa cow. P—62. Srcrion X1V.—Descendants of Prithu. Legend of the Pray phetas they are desired by their father to multiply mankind by: worshipping Vishnu : they plunge into the sea, and meditate on and praise him : he appears and grants their wishes.—P. 69. Stctton XV.—The world overrun with trees ; they are ‘destroyed fy. the Prachetasas, Sota pacifies them, and gives them Marisha to wife; her story; ‘the daughter of ‘nymph Prarlocha, Legend Ot “Kandu, Maritha’s former ‘history. Daksha the on of the Prachetasas ; his'different characters ; his sons; his daughters; their aaoriage and progeny 3 allusion to Prahlada, his descendant=P, 72, Srorion XVT—Inquiri Maltreya respecting ‘the lai palin 8y inquiries of y pecting ‘tHe historySkerion XVII- Legend of Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu, the sovereign of the universe: the gods dispersed, or in servitude to him: Prahlada, his son remains devoted to Vishnu : questioned by his father, he praises Vishnu: Hiranyakasipu orders him to be put to death, but in vain: his repeated deliverance: he teaches his compa nions to adore Vishnu.—P. 14. Section XVIII—Hiranyakasipu’s reiterated attempts to destroy his son : their being always frustrated.—P. gt. Sxction XIX.—Dialogue between Prahlada and his father: he is cast from the top of the palace unhurt: baffles the incantation of Samvara : he is thrown fettered into the sea: he praises Atishnu—P, 94. Stotion XX.—Vishnu appears to Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu relents ang is reconciled to his son: he is put to death by Vishnu as the *Nrisingha, Prablada becomes king of the Daityas:his posterity : fruit of hearing the story—P. 100. Sxcrion XXI,—Families of the Daityas. Descendants of Kasyapa by Danu. Children of Kasyapa by his other wives. Birth of the Marutas, the sons of of Diti—P. 103. Section XXI[—Dominion over different provinces of creation assigned to different beings. Universality of Vishnu. Four varieties of spiritual contemplation. Two conditions of spirit. The perceptible attributes of Vishnu: types of his imperceptible properties. Vishnu everything, Merit of hearing the first book of the Vishnu Pura- na—P, PART Il. Section I.—Descendants of Priyavrata, the eldest son of Swayam- ‘bhuva Manu : his ten sons: three adopt a religious life: the others become kings of seven Dwipas, or isles, of the earth. Agnidhras, king of Jambu-dwipa divides it into nine portions, which he dinteibutes amongst his sons. bhi king of the south succeeded by Bharata: India named after ‘him Bhdrata: his descendants reign during the Swayambhuva Manwantara—P. 113. Sxction I[.—Description of the earth, The seven Dwipas and seven seas Jambu.dwipa. Mount Meru ; its existence and boundaries. in of Iliavrita, Groves, lakes, aud branches of Meru. Cities of the. Gods. Rivers, The forms of Vishnu worshipped in different Varshas—P, 116. Sxction I[]—Description of Bharata-Varsha: extent ; chief Mountains; nine divisions: principal nations: superiority over other ‘Varshas, especially as the seat of religious acts—P, 120. ., Skeriow: IV.—Account of kings. divisions, mountains, rivers, and itrabitants ‘Of the’ other Dwipas viz: Plaksha, Sdlmala, Kusa, Krauncha,w Sika, and Pushkara: of the oceans separating them :of the tides: of the confines of the earth ; the Lokaloka Mountain. Extent of the whole—P, 122. Sxcrion V.—Of the regions of Patala, below the earth Narada’s praises of Patala. Accouut of the Serpent Sesha. First teacher of astronomy and astrology.—P. 128, Sxction VI—Of the different hells, or divisions of Naraka, below Patala; the crimes punished in them respectively ; efficacy of expiation ; meditation on Vishnu the most effective expiation —P. 130, Skctiow VII—Extent and situation of the seven spheres viz., earth, sky, pfaittts, Moharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka, and Satyaloka. Of the eggot Bramha and its elementary envelopes, Of the influence of the energy of Vishnu—P. 134. ® Section VII—Description of the Sun ; his chariot; its twoaxles * his horses. The cities of the regents of the cardinal points. The Sun's course ; nature of his rays; his path along the ecliptic. Length of day and night. Divisions of time; equinoxes and solstices, months, years, the cyclical yuga, or age of five years. Northern and southern declinations. Saints on the Lokaloka mountain. Celestial paths of the Pitris, gods, Vishnu. Origin of the Ganga, and separation, on the top of Meru into four great rivers—P. 137. Section 1X.—Planetary system, under the ype of a Sisumara or porpoise. The earth nourished by the Sun. Of rain whilst the Sun shines. Of rain from clouds. Rain the support of vegetation, and thence of animal life. Narayana the support of all beings.—P. 140 Szcrion X.—Names of the twelve Adityas. Names of the Rishis, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Yakshas, Uragas, and Rakshasas, who attend the chariot of the sun in each month of the year, Their respective functions—P. 148. Sxction XI.—The sun distinct from, and supreme over, the at- tendance on his car ; identical with the three Vedas and with Vishnu ; his functions.—P. 149. : Sxcrrom XII.—Description of the Moon: his chariot, horses, and course, fed by the Sun; drained periodically of ambrosia by the progenitors and gods. The chariots and horses of the planets; kept in their orbits by aerial chains attached to Dhruva. Tropical members of the planetary porpoise. Vasudeva alone real.—P. 151. SzeTjon XIII.—Legend of Bharata, Bharata abdicates his throne ‘and becomes an ascetic ; cherishes a fawn, and becomes so much attached.to itas to neglect his devotions: he dies; his successive births ; works in the fields and is pressed asa palankin-bearer for the Raje of Sauvira; rebuked for his awkwardness ; his reply ; dialogue Détween him and the king—P. 155. °" Section XIV.—Dialogue continued, Bharata expounds the nature. Siraiuence, the a ' life, and the identification of individual with Apirit.—P. 162,v Section XV.—Bharata relates the story of Ribhu and Nidagha, the latter, the pupil of the former, becomes a prince,and is visited by his preceptor, who explains to him the principles jofy unity and departs—P. 165. 5 Section,XVI.—Ribhu returns to his disciple, and perfects him in divine knowledge. The same recommended to the Rajah by Bharata, who thereupon obtains final liberation. Consequences of hearing this legend—P. 167. PART III. Section I—Accounts of the several Manus and Manwantaras Shwarochisha the second Manu: the divinites, the Indra, the seven Rishis of his period and his sons. Similar details of Auttami, Tamasa, Rajivata, Chakshusha, and Vaivaswata. The forms of Vishnu, as the preserver, in each Manwantara, The meaning of Vishnu—P. 171. Sxcrion II—Of the seven future Manus and Manwantaras, Story of Sanjua and Chhaya, wives of the Sun, Savarni son of Chhaya the eighth Manu. His successors, with divinities, é&c of their respec tive periods, Appearance of Vishnu in each of the four Yugas.—P. 174, Suction III.—Division of the Vedas into four portions, by a ‘Vyasa in every Dwapara age. List of the jtwenty-eight Vyasas of the present Manwantara. Meaning of the word Bramha.—P. 178, Sxction 1V.—Division of the Veda, in the last Dwapara age, bythe Vyasa Krishna Dwaipayana. Paila made reader of the Rich; faisampayana of the Yajush; Jaimani of the Saman and Sumantu of the Atharvan, Suta appointed to teach the historical poems. Origin of the four parts of the Veda. Sanhitas of the Rig Veda.—P. Skczton V.—Division of the Yajur-veda. Story of Yajnawalkya forced to give up what he has learned, picked up by others, forming the Taittiriya-yajush. Yajnawalkya worships the Sun who communi- cates to him the Vajasaneyi-yajush—P. 182. Section VI.—Divisions of the Sama-veda: of the Atharva-veda. Four Pauranik Sanhitas. Names of the eighteen Puranas, Branches of knowledge. Classes of Rishis—P. 184. Sxction VIIL—By what means men are exempted from the athority of Yama, as narrated by Bhisma to Nakula. Dialogue between Yama and one of his attendants. Worshippers of Vishnu nat subject to Yama. How they are to be known.—P, 3 Sxcrjon VIII—How Vishnu isto be worshipped as related by Aurva to Sagara. Duties of the four castes, severally and in common ; also in time of distress—P. 191. St iN: FX.—Duties of the religious student, householder, hermit afi meridicant—P, 194.vi Sxcrion X.—Ceremonies to be observed at the birth and naming of a child. Of marrying or leading a religious life. Choice of @ wife. Different modes of marrying —P. 196. Sxction XI—Of the Sadacharas ore perpetual obligations of a householder. Daily purifications, ablutions, libations, and oblations: hospitality ; obsequial rites; ceremonies to be observed at meals, at morning and evening worship, and on going to rest.—P, 198. Section XII.—Miscellaneous obligations—purificatory, ceremo- nial and moral.—P. 208. Section XIII.—Of Sraddhas, or rites in honour of ancestors, to be performetiten occasions of rejoicing. Obsequial ceremonies. Of the Ekoddishta or monthly Sraddha, and the Sapindana or annual ‘one. By whom to be performed.—P. 212. ‘ Sxctiox XIV.—Of occasional Sraddhas, or obsequial ceremonies 3 when most efficacious, and at what places.—P, 215. Section XV. What Brahmans are to be entertained at Sraddhas Different prayers to be recited. Offerings of food to be presented to deceased ancestor—P, 218. ; Section XVI—Things proper to be offered as food to deceased ancestors ; prohibited things. Circumstances vetiating a Sraddha ; how to be avoided. Song of the Pitris or progenitors, heard by cUkshw4ku—P, 223. Section XVII.—Of heretics, or those who rejects the authority of the Vedas ; their origin, as described by the Vasistha to Bhishma ; the gods, defeated by the Daityas, praise Vishnu} an illusory being or Buddha, produced from his body.—P. 225. Sxction XVIII—Buddha goes to the earth and teaches the Daityas to contempt the Vedas ; his septical doctrines ; his find of animal sacrifices. Meaning of the term Bauddha. Jainas and Bauddhas, their tenets. The Daityas loose their power and are over- come by the gods. Meaning of the term Nagna. Consequences of neglect of Duty. Story of Satadhanu and his wife Saivya Communién with heretics to be shum ed.—P, 228. PART Iv. Sxcttow [.—Dynasties of kings. Origin of the Solar dynasty from Brahma. Sons of the Manu Vaivaswata. Transformation ‘of Mla or Sudynmna. Descendants of the sons of Vaivaswata: thoge of Nedishta. Greatness of Marutha, kings of Vaisali. Descendasite of Saryati. Legend of Raivata: his daughter Revati married to Baloram.—P, 237. fe Section Il—Diepersion of Revata’s descendants: -thoge..0¢ sthose of Nabhaga. Birth of Ikehwaku, the son of Vaivaswata 7,vii ; hig sons Line of Vikukshi. Legend of Kakutstha; of Dhundhumara > | $ Yuvanaswa; of Mandhatri: his daughter married to Sauvari — , 241. . Sxcrion oIII.—Shaubhri and his wives adopt an asectic life. Descendant of Mandhatri, Legend of Narmada and Purukutsa. Lee gend_of Trisanku, Bahu driven from his kingdom by the Haihayas and Talajanghas. Birth of Sagara: he conquers the barbarians, im- poses upon them distinguishing usage, and excludes them from offerings to fire and the study of Vedas.—P. 250, Suction IV.—The progeny of Sagara: their wickedness ; he per- forms an Aswamedha; the horse stolen by Kapila; found by Sagara’s sens? who are all destroyed by the sage: the horse recovered by Ansumat; his descendants, Legend tlie Mitrasaha or Kalmashapada the son of Sudasa. Legend of Khatwanga. Birth of Rama and other sons of Dasaratha, Epitome of the history of Rama; his descendant and those of his brothers. Line of Kusha. Vrihadbala, the last, killed in the great war—P. 254. Sxcrion V.—Kings of Mithila. Legend of Nimi, the son of Ikshwaku, Birth of Janaka. Sacrifice of Siradhwaja. Origin of Sita. eerie of Kusadhwaja. Krita the last of Maithila princes— , 261, Sxctton VI.—Kings of the lunar dynasty. Origin of Soma or the moon: he cries off Tara, the wife Vrihaspati: war between the gods and Asurasin consequence: appeared by Bramha, Birth of Budha: marred to Illa, daughter of Vaivaswata, Legend of his son Pururavas, and the nymph Urvashi : the former institutes offerings with | fire : ascends to the sphere of the Gandharbas.—-P. 263. Sxcrton VII—Sons of Pururavas. Descendants of Amavasu, Tndro born as Gadhi. Legend of Richika and Satyavati: Birth of Jemadagna and Viswamitra, Parasurama the son of the former. Sunah- feplas and others the sons of Viswamitra forming the Kausika tace—P 268, Section VIII—Sons of Ayus. Line of Kshatravriddha, or Kings of Kashi. Former birth ot Dhawntari. Various names of Pratarddana. Greatness of Alarka.—P. 270. Sscrion IX —Descendants of Raji, son of Ayas, Indra resigns his throne to him : claimed after his death by his sons, who appostatise ftom the religion of the Vedas, and are destroyed by the Indra. 18 of Pratikshatra, son of Kshatravriddha.—P, 272. Sxer —The sons of Nahusha. The sons of Vayati: he is cursed by Sukra: wishes his sons exchange their vigour for “pfies. Porn alone consents, Yayati restores him his youth: dividés the’ earth amongst his sons under the supremacy of Porit--P. 273.