Vishnu Purana
विष्णु पुराण
viṣṇu purāṇa
Vishnu Purana is chiefly centered on the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Sri Krishna. Sage Parasar is the narrator of the story and young sage Maitreya is asking various question from role of Avatar to mystery of universe. The story about writing of this purana was of a very noble advice from Sage Vasita, “ anger and vengeance hamper human development” as Parasara was on a mission to eliminate the Demon race by a sacrifice. Parasara discard the attempt mean while the senior Sage Pulastya happens to visit him, adviced Parasara to compile Vishnu Purana for future generation. Vishnu purana is not found giving importance to all avatar of Vishnu and the Mahabharata War. But some characters are found mentioned. The Vishnu Purana contain six amsas (parts) and a total of 126 adhyayas (chapters).
The contents of Vishnu Purana
First Part: The first part has 22 chapters. This introductory part contain the description of Origin of this book, prayer to Vishnu, Measure of time, Kalpa, the creation of the universe, origin of Rudra, birth of gods and demons, Pralay of Prithu a, churning of the sea, tales of Dhruva, Prahalada and Hiranyakashipu
Second Part: The second part consists 16 chapters and which contains the description of descendents of Priyavrata, story of jadabharata, description of the seven Dwipas and seven seas, Jambu dweep and its boundaries, Bharatvarsh, Shatdweep, the seven regions of Patala, divisions of Naraka below Patala and punishment, the Sun’s course, eclipse, planetary system, 12 Adityas, Moon, rain and vegetation, origin of the Ganges and other rivers, the story of Ribhu and Nidagha, fate old age and final liberation.
Third Part: The third part comprises of 18 chapters which contains a detailed description of Manavantaras, the forms of Vishnu, Division of the Veda into four portions by a Vyása,. Story of Sanjna and Chhaya, wives of the Sun. Story of Yajnawalkya, names of the eighteen Puranas, Branches of knowledge, classes of Rishis, by what means men are exempted from the authority of Yama as narrated by Bhíshma to Nakula, dialogue between Yama and one of his attendants. Vishnu Purana declare, worshippers of Vishńu not subject to Yama and give instruction on how Vishnnu is to be worshipped. This text also contain discription related four castes, and four ashrams, ceremonies to be observed at the birth and naming of a child, marrying and leading a religious life, choice of a wife and different modes of marrying, obligations of a householder, performance of sraddhas, or rites in honour of ancestors. This part of Vishnupurana has some description on the origin of Buddhism(chapter18)
Fourth Part: The fourth part has 24 chapters. This part give description on various dynasties of kings from sons of first Manu, birth of Ikshwaku birth of Pururava, marriage of Balarama with Revati, Kukutstha dynasty, legend of Trisanku, tale of Yuvanashva, Sarpvinasha mantra, birth of Sagar, Ashwamedha by Sagara, decadence of the Ganges through the penance of Bhagirath, birth of Lord Rama, Yagya of Vishwamitra, birth of Sita, tales of Chandra dynasty, abduction of Tara and consequent war, legend of Richika and Satyavati, legend of Parasurama, birth of Kartaveerya Arjun, clan of Nahush, tale of Yayati, Yadu dynasty, Krishna’s birth, Syamantaka gem and Krishnna suspected of killing Prasena, marriage of Krishna with Jambvanti and Satyabhama. Salvation of Shishupaal, Santhanu, Janamejaya dynasty, descendants of Parikshit, descendants of Brihad dynasty and Pradyot dynasty. This text also give detail on nine Nandas, ten Mauryas, ten Sungas, four Kannwas, thirty Andhrabhrityas and advent of Kali Yuga.
Fifth Part: the fifth part has 34 chapters and which is the largest. This part give details on the marriage of Vasudev and Devaki, incarnation of Lord Vishnu to kill Kamsa, Arrival of Yogmaya in Yashoda womb and of the Lord in Devaki’s womb, birth of Lord Krishna, carrying of Krishna to Gokul, dialogue of Mahamaya with Kamsa, acquiring of defensive stance by Kamsa, releasing of Vasudeva and Devaki from prison. Killing of Putana, naming of Krishna and Balarama, Krishnna’s combats the serpent Kaliya, killing of Dhenukasura, killing of Pralamb, description of festival devoted to Indra, worshipping of Govardhana and Cow, Krishna sports with the Gopis, arrival of Narad in Kamsa’s court, killing of Keshi, arrival of Akrur in Vrindavan, arrival of Lord Krishna in Mathura, Grief of the Gopikas on the departure of Krishnna, Lord Krishna’s mercy on Kubja, arrival of Lord Krishna in amphi-theatre and killing of Kamsa.
The other description followed are coronation of Ugrasena, sandipani ashram, defeat of Jarasandha, Krishna building city of Dwaraka, killing of Kalayavan by leading him to the cave of Sage Muchukunda, Balarama again visiting Vrindavan, Balarama commands the Yamuna to come to him, and on her refusal drags her out of her course, abduction of Rukmani, abduction of Pradyumna by Sambara, killing of Rukmi by Balarama, tyranny of Narakasura and Krishna free sixteen thousand captive queens, abduction of Parijat, Krishna fight with Indra. Telling of dream by Usha, abduction of Aniruddha, Banna solicits Siva for war, Banna encounters Krishnna who cuts off all his arms, Siva intercedes, and Krishnna spares his life, declaration that Vishnnu and Siva are the same, killing of Kashiraj Paundraka, abduction of Lakshmana by Samba.Samba and others deceive and ridicule the Rishis, Rishis curse Yadava clan, Origin of pestle, destruction of Yadu Vamsha. The great serpent Sesha issues from the mouth of Balama, ascendence of Lord Krishna to heaven, beginning of Kali Yuga, Arjuna comes to Dwaraka, and burns the dead and takes away the surviving inhabitants, preaching of Arjun by Vyasa, coronation of Parikshit.
Sixth Part: The sixth part has 8 chapters. This part give the description of religion in Kali Yuga, deterioration of morale of mankind, statement that the rulers in Kali yuga will exploit common man and corruption will become a mean for subsistence. Vishnu Purana find remedy for kaliyuga as the devotion to Vishnnu is sufficient to salvation in that age for all castes and gender, description of Kalpa, Three different kinds of dissolution is stated, as the dissolution that occurs at the end of a day of Brahma, elemental dissolution of all being resolved into primary spirit and the third kind of dissolution is final liberation from existence. The text further give details on the performance of the Yoga. How it is to be practiced. Also details on Asana, Pranayama and Meditation on the individual and universal forms of Vishnu. This Purana give a version of Vishnu Sahasranama. It followed by Virtues of Lord Vishnu’s names, results of hearing Lord’s name, final liberation and Concluding prayer
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