DOCSLIB.ORG

Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology ANCIENT INDIAN TRADITION & MYTHOLOGY Translnted In A BOARD OF SCHOLARS Edited by Prof.J.L. SHASTRI VOLUMK 31 ANCIENT INDIAN TRADITION AND MYTHOLOGY SERIES [PURANAS IN TRANSLATION] Volumes Released SIVA 1-4 LINGA 5-6 BHAGAVATA 7-11 GARUDA 12-14 NARADA 15-19 KURMA 20-21 BRAHMAN DA 22-26 AGNI 27-30 VARAHA 31-32 BRAHMA 33-36 VAYU 37-38 PADMA 39-48 SKANDA, PARTS I-XX, 49-68 Volumes Under Preparation SKANDA, PARTS XXI-XXPV BHAVISYA BRAHMAVAIVARTA DE\lBHAGAVATA KAIJKA MARKANDEYA MATSYA VAMANA VISNU VISNUDHARMOTTARA THE VARAHA-PURANA Translated and Annotated by S. VENKITASUBRAMONIA IYER PARTI MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PRIVATE LIMITED • DELHI First Edition: Delhi, 1985 Reprint: Delhi, 2003 © MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PRIVATE LIMITED All Rights Reserved. ISBN: 81-208-0361-2 Also available at: MOTILAL BANARSIDASS 41 U.A. Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi 110 007 8 Mahalaxmi Chamber, 22 Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai 400 026 236, 9th Main III Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 011 120 Royapettah High Road, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 Sanas Plaza, 1302 Baji Rao Road, Pune 411 002 8 Camac Street, Kolkata 700 017 Ashok Rajpath, Patna 800 004 Chowk, Varanasi 221 001 UNESCO COLLECTION OF REPRESENTATIVE WORKS—Indian Series This book has been accepted in the Indian Translation Series of the UNESCO Collection of Representative Works, jointly sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Government of India. Printed in India BYJAINENDRA PRAKASH JAIN AT SHRI JAINENDRA PRESS, A-45 NARAINA, PHASE-I, NEW DELHI 110 028 AND PUBLISHED BY NARENDRA PRAKASH JAIN FOR MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PRIVATE LIMITED, BUNGALOW ROAD, DELHI 110 007 PUBLISHER'S NOTE The Purest gems lie hidden in the bottom of the ocean or in the depth of rocks. One has to dive into the ocean or delve into the rocks to find them out. Similarly, truth lies concealed in the language which with the passage of time has become obsolete. Man has to learn that language before he discovers that truth. But he has neither the means nor the leisure to embark on that course. We have, therefore, planned to help him acquire knowledge by an easier course. We have started the series of Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology in English Translation. Our goal is to universalize knowledge through the most popular international medium of expression. The publication of the Puranas in English Translation is a step towards that goal. PREFACE The present Volume contains the Varaha Purana Part I (Chapters 1-136) in English Translation. This is the thirtyfirst volume in the Series on Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology. The project of the series was planned in 1970 by Lala Sundar Lai Jain of Messrs Motilal Banarsidass, with the purpose to universalize knowledge through the most popular international medium, viz. English. Hitherto, the English translations of eight Puranas, namely Siva, Linga, Bhagavata, Garuda, Narada, Kurma, Brahmanda and Agni have been published and released for sale. In this scheme, the Old Sanskrit Texts of the Puranas as printed by the VenkateSvara Press and published by Khemaraja Sri- krsnadass have been rendered into English. Translation is neither too literal nor too free. Care has been taken to maintain balance between the two extremes. The spirit of the Original Sanskrit text has been preserved in translation without violating the idiom of English language. The Puranas are classified as Vaisnava, Brahma, or Saiva according to the degree of quality, sattva, rajas or tamas which they possess in prominence. Judged by this standard the present Purana belongs to the Visnuite class. Majority of the verses relate to Visnuite rituals, stotras or anecdotes. The Purana eulogizes the ten incarnations of Visnu and proclaims that a devotee attains identity with the lord by reciting and listening to his praise. A number of chapters describe the initiation of devotees to Visnuite order. The Purana prescribes initiation not only for the Brahmanas but also for the Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. The Purana records a number of religious vows which a devotee should observe at certain holy places for attaining his desire. Mention may be made in this context of DvadasI Vrata observed on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of each month of the year, the ritual being related to the ten incarnations of Visnu, Padmanabha being the eleventh and Dharani (Earth) the twelfth. The Purana contains a number of hymns in praise viii Preface of Visnu, addressed to his specific forms, under particular names such as Matsya, Varaha and Kurma. There is a hymn in prose called Brahmaparamaya stotra which was uttered by the Asvins in praise of Visnu. Though predominantly Visnuite in character, the Purana talks highly of lord Siva, discribing his origin, exploits, the des- truction of Daksa's sacrifice in particular. The Purana is emphatic about the identity of Trinity, a single entity assuming manifold forms such as Visnu, Brahma, Siva and others. Beside the worship of Trinity we find the cult of Mother Goddesses as the distinct feature of this work. These Mothers are allied to Siva and their origin is traced to the fury of Siva, the purpose being the destruction of asuras. In the miscellany of topics we can include the glory and greatness of holy centres, gifts of cows, enumration of sins and their expiation, causes of sufferings in hell and of enjoyment in heaven. Finally this Part describes Sraddhakalpa (the institution of obsequial rites and rituals). ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF OBLIGATIONS It is our pleasant duty to put on record our sincere thanks to Dr. R. N. Dandekar and the UNESCO authorities for their kind encouragement and valuable help which render this work more useful than it would otherwise have been. We are extre- mely grateful to Dr. S. Venkitasubramonia Iyer, Professor of Sanskrit (Retired), University of Kerala, for his critical Intro- duction, lucid translation and useful notes. We also thank those persons who have offered suggestions for improving the same. —Editor CONTENTS PARTI PREFACE vii ABBREVIATIONS xiii INTRODUCTION xv CHAPTERS 1. Earth's Enquiry about Creation, Benedictory Prayer 1 2. Primary Creation 3 3. Birth of Narada 10 4. Greatness of Narayana 12 5. Attainment of Liberation through Duty 16 6. Attainment of liberation uttering the Pundarlkasapara hymn 20 7. Attainment of liberation uttering Gadadhara Hymn 23 8. The Life of Dharmavyadha 27 9. Description of Fish-Incarnation 32 10. The Creation and the Life of Durjaya 35 11. Fight between Durjaya and Gauramukha 40 12. Narayana offers a boon to Supratlka 47 13. Rules for Sraddha 49 14. Rules for Sraddha 54 15. Sage Gauramukha's liberation after uttering the hymn of Ten Incarnations of Visnu 58 16. The Story of Sarama 60 17. The Story of Mahatapas 62 18. Origin of Fire 68 19. Greatness of Fire 69 20. Origin of Asvins 70 21. Origin of Gauri 74 22. Marriage of Gauri 80 23. Origin of Vinayaka 83 24. Origin of Serpents 86 25. Origin of Skanda 88 26. Origin of Sun 92 27. Origin of Matrgana 94 с Contents 28. Origin of Goddess Durga 96 29. Origin of Diks 100 30. Origin of Kubera 101 31. Origin of Visnu 101 32. Origin of Dharma 103 33. Origin of Rudra 105 34. Origin of Pitrs 108 35. Origin of Soma 109 36. Former Story. 110 37. Story of Dlrghabahu 112 38. Story of Satyatapas 116 39. MatsyadvadasI Vrata 118 40. Kurmadvadasi Vrata 123 41. Varahadvadasi Vrata 124 42. Narasimhadvadasi Vrata 127 43. VamanadvadasI Vrata 128 44. Jamadagnyadvadasi Vrata 130 45. RamadvadasI Vrata 131 46. KrsnadvadasI Vrata 132 47. BuddhadvadasI Vrata 133 48. KalkidvadasI Vrata 135 49. PadmanabhadvadasI Vrata 137 50. Dharani Vrata 140 51. Agastyaglta I 142 52. Agastyaglta II 144 53. Story of Pasupala 145 54. Vrata for attaining the best husband 147 55. Subha Vrata 148 56. Dhanya Vrata 152 57. Kami Vrata 153 58. Saubhaghya Vrata 155 59. Avighna Vrata 156 60. Santi Vrata 157 61. Kama Vrata 158 62. Arogya Vrata 159 63. Putraprapti Vrata 161 64. Saurya Vrata 162 65. Sarvhabhauma Vrata 163 66. Naradlya Pancaratra 164 67. Wonder of Visnu 165 Contends xi 68. Yugadharma 166 69. Wonder of Narayana 168 70. Rudraglta I 169 71. Rudraglta II 172 72. Determination of Prakrti and Purusa 176 73. Vairajavrtta 178 74. Cosmology 181 75. Jambudvlpa and Meru 183 76. Cities of Eight Dikpala-s 188 77. The Meru Mountain 189 78. Mandara and other mountains 191 79. Valleys of Meru I 192 80. Valleys of Meru II 194 81. Domains of Devas in the Mountains 196 82. Decent of the rivers 197 83. Regions and rivers in the mountain Naisadha 198 84. Regions on the South and North of Meru 199 85. The nine divisions of Bharata 201 86. Sakadvipa 202 87. Kusadvlpa 202 88. Krauncadvipa 203 89. Salmalidvlpa and others 204 90. Goddess of Creation 205 91. SarasvatI and others 208 92. Greatness of Vaisnavl 209 93. Discussion of Mahisasura with his ministers 211 94. Fight between gods and demons 213 95. Death of Mahisasura 214 96. Exploits of Raudrl 219 97. Greatness of Rudra 223 98. Moksa of Satyatapas 226 99. Greatness of Tiladhenu 229 100. Greatness of Jaladhenu 236 101. Greatness of Rasadhenu 237 102. Greatness of Gudadhenu 238 103. Greatness of Sarkaradhenu 240 104. Greatness of Madhudhenu 241 105. Greatness of Ksiradhenu 242 106. Greatness of Dadhidhenu 244 107. Greatness of Navanltadhenu 244 xii Contents 108. Greatness of Lavanadhenu 245 109. Greatness of Karpasadhenu 247 110. Greatness of Dhanyadhenu 248 111. Greatness of Kapiladhenu 249 112. Greatness of Cow at Childbirth, list of Puranas 250 113. Hymn on the Lord 255 114. Varaha incarnation—Questions of Earth 260 115.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Brahma Sutra
    BRAHMA SUTRA CHAPTER 1 1st Pada 1st Adikaranam to 11th Adhikaranam Sutra 1 to 31 INDEX S. No. Topic Pages Topic No Sutra No Summary 5 Introduction of Brahma Sutra 6 1 Jijnasa adhikaranam 1 a) Sutra 1 103 1 1 2 Janmady adhikaranam 2 a) Sutra 2 132 2 2 3 Sastrayonitv adhikaranam 3 a) Sutra 3 133 3 3 4 Samanvay adhikaranam 4 a) Sutra 4 204 4 4 5 Ikshatyadyadhikaranam: (Sutras 5-11) 5 a) Sutra 5 324 5 5 b) Sutra 6 353 5 6 c) Sutra 7 357 5 7 d) Sutra 8 362 5 8 e) Sutra 9 369 5 9 f) Sutra 10 372 5 10 g) Sutra 11 376 5 11 2 S. No. Topic Pages Topic No Sutra No 6 Anandamayadhikaranam: (Sutras 12-19) 6 a) Sutra 12 382 6 12 b) Sutra 13 394 6 13 c) Sutra 14 397 6 14 d) Sutra 15 407 6 15 e) Sutra 16 411 6 16 f) Sutra 17 414 6 17 g) Sutra 18 416 6 18 h) Sutra 19 425 6 19 7 Antaradhikaranam: (Sutras 20-21) 7 a) Sutra 20 436 7 20 b) Sutra 21 448 7 21 8 Akasadhikaranam : 8 a) Sutra 22 460 8 22 9 Pranadhikaranam : 9 a) Sutra 23 472 9 23 3 S. No. Topic Pages Topic No Sutra No 10 Jyotischaranadhikaranam : (Sutras 24-27) 10 a) Sutra 24 486 10 24 b) Sutra 25 508 10 25 c) Sutra 26 513 10 26 d) Sutra 27 517 10 27 11 Pratardanadhikaranam: (Sutras 28-31) 11 a) Sutra 28 526 11 28 b) Sutra 29 538 11 29 c) Sutra 30 546 11 30 d) Sutra 31 558 11 31 4 SUMMARY Brahma Sutra Bhasyam Topics - 191 Chapter – 1 Chapter – 2 Chapter – 3 Chapter – 4 Samanvaya – Avirodha – non – Sadhana – spiritual reconciliation through Phala – result contradiction practice proper interpretation Topics - 39 Topics - 47 Topics - 67 Topics 38 Sections Topics Sections Topics Sections Topics Sections Topics 1 11 1 13 1 06 1 14 2 07 2 08 2 08 2 11 3 13 3 17 3 36 3 06 4 08 4 09 4 17 4 07 5 Lecture – 01 Puja: • Gratitude to lord for completion of Upanishad course (last Chandogya Upanishad + Brihadaranyaka Upanishad).
    [Show full text]
  • Uttarakandam
    THE RAMAYANA. Translated into English Prose from the original Sanskrit of Valmiki. UTTARAKANDAM. M ra Oer ii > m EDITED AND PUBLISHED Vt MANMATHA NATH DUTT, MA. CALCUTTA. 1894. Digitized by VjOOQIC Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vynchi Bala Sir Rama Varma kulasekhara klritapatl manney sultan maha- RAJA Raja Ramraja Bahabur Shamshir Jung Knight Grand Commander of most Emi- nent order of the Star of India. 7gK afjaraja of ^xavancoxe. THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY MANMATHA NATH DUTT. In testimony of his veneration for His Highness and in grateful acknowledgement of the distinction conferred upon him while in His Highness* capital, and the great pecuniary help rendered by his Highness in publishing this work. Digitized by VjOOQ IC T — ^ 3oVkAotC UTTARA KlAlND^M, SECTION I. \Jn the Rakshasas having been slain, all the ascetics, for the purpose of congratulating Raghava, came to Rama as he gained (back) his kingdom. Kau^ika, and Yavakrita, and Gargya, and Galava, and Kanva—son unto Madhatithi, . who dwelt in the east, (came thither) ; aikl the reverend Swastyastreya, and Namuchi,and Pramuchi, and Agastya, and the worshipful Atri, aud Sumukha, and Vimukha,—who dwelt in the south,—came in company with Agastya.* And Nrishadgu, and Kahashi, and Dhaumya, and that mighty sage —Kau^eya—who abode in the western "quarter, came there accompanied by their disciples. And Vasishtha and Ka^yapa and Atri and Vicwamitra with Gautama and Jamadagni and Bharadwaja and also the seven sages,t who . (or aye resided in the northern quarter, (came there). And on arriving at the residence of Raghava, those high-souled ones, resembling the fire in radiance, stopped at the gate, with the intention of communicating their arrival (to Rama) through the warder.
    [Show full text]
  • Shrî Râma Chandra
    f Californi. Regional Facility T-t; .^ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES ^^-^-<~-cJu^ J^^^-^^^-o^--^ — rntLA^dl^ i c -^ I Qo i2_^ bif soi.K i,i-:ssi-:i-:s Qi i:i:x's iiAi.i., .Mi;sNi«s. ciiAi'i'i-;!.!. & <ri. i.AN<;iiA.M I'l. v< i;. i.o.Mio.N. ^v . i. H'XDAv i:vi:Nix(is vi 7 June 13, 20, 27, July 4. Dr. Annie Besant "THE COMINcG OF THE WORLD TEACHERS' as §eee Ib^y Aeciieet aed Mo-dlea'e Centrat. Hindu College LECTunKS. TI . SHRl RAMA CHANDRA THE IDE^L KING. SOME LESSONS FROM THE RAmIYANA FOR THE USE OF HINDU STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOLS OF INDIA • BY ANNIE BESANT, F. T. S. From Notes of Lectures Originally Delivered AT THE Central Hindu College, Benares. Benares and London. Theosophical Publishing Society. I80i. Printed by Freeman & Co., Lti>., AT THE Taea Printing Works, Belnares. 3653 CONTENTS. Chapter I. Introduction. Chapter II. Youth and Marriage, Chapter III. Forest for Throne. Chapter IV. Brotherly Love. Chapter V. The Carrying off of SItA. Chapter VI. SIta's Faith. Chapter VII. Struggle. Chapter VIII. Triumph. 829275 SHRt RAMA CHANDRA, The Ideal King. CHAPTER I. Introduction. " Two years ago we were studying together one of the greatest books in the world," the Mahd' bhdrata. Now we are going to study the second great epic poem of India, the Rdmdyana. These two books stand out from the rest of Indian literature in a very marked way. The Vedas, the Institutes of Manu, are the great authorities for the learned, and only through the learned for the mass of the people.
    [Show full text]
  • Dual Edition
    YEARS # 1 Indian American Weekly : Since 2006 VOL 15 ISSUE 13 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● MAR 26 - MAR 25 - APR 01, 2021 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 ● [email protected] www.theindianpanorama.news THE INDIAN PANORAMA ADVT. FRIDAY MARCH 26, 2021 YEARS 02 We Wish Readers a Happy Holi YEARS # 1 Indian American Weekly : Since 2006 VOL 15 ISSUE 13 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● MAR 26 - MAR 25 - APR 01, 2021 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 ● [email protected] www.theindianpanorama.news VAISAKHI SPECIAL EDITIONS Will Organize Summit of will bring out a special edition tomarkVAISAKHIon April 9. Democracies, says Biden Advertisementsmay please be booked by April 2, andarticles for publication may please besubmitted by March 30 to [email protected] "We've got to prove democracy works," he said. I.S. SALUJA First historic Mars WASHINGTON (TIP): President Joe Biden shared with media persons his helicopter flight on April 8: thoughts on a wide range of issues, and NASA also candidly answered their questions, March 25, at his first press conference The flight since assuming office on January model of NASA's 20.2021. Ingenuity During the press conference, Mr. Mars Biden remarked on and responded to Helicopter - questions regarding migrants at the Image: NASA / JPL U.S.-Mexico border, the COVID-19 contd on page 48 WASHINGTON (TIP): NASA will U.S. President Joe Biden holds his first formal attempt to fly Ingenuity mini << news conference as president in the East helicopter, currently attached to the Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., belly of Perseverance rover, on Mars March 25, 2021.
    [Show full text]
  • Select Stories from Puranas
    SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao Former General Manager of India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India 1 SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS Contents Page Preface 3 Some Basic Facts common to Puranas 3 Stories related to Manus and Vamshas 5 (Priya Vrata, Varudhini & Pravaraakhya, Swarochisha, Uttama, Tamasa, Raivata, Chakshusa, and Vaiwasvata) The Story of Surya Deva and his progeny 7 Future Manus (Savarnis, Rouchya and Bhoutya) 8 Dhruva the immortal; Kings Vena and Pruthu 9 Current Manu Vaiwasvata and Surya Vamsha 10 (Puranjaya, Yuvanashwa, Purukutsa, Muchukunda, Trishanku, Harischandra, Chyavana Muni and Sukanya, Nabhaga, Pradyumna and Ila Devi) Other famed Kings of Surya Vamsha 14 Origin of Chandra, wedding, Shaapa, re-emergence and his Vamsha (Budha, Pururava, Jahnu, Nahusha, Yayati and Kartaveeryarjuna) 15 Parashurama and his encounter with Ganesha 17 Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Nrisimha, Vamana and Parashurama Avataras 18 Quick retrospective of Ramayana (Birth of Rama, Aranya Vaasa, Ravana Samhara, Rama Rajya, Sita Viyoga, Lava Kusha and Sita-Rama Nidhana) 21 Maha Bharata in brief (Veda Vyasa, Ganga, Bhishma& Pandava-Kauravas & 43 Quick proceedings of Maha Bharata Battle Some doubts in connection with Maha Bharata 50 Episodes related to Shiva and Parvati (Links of Sandhya Devi, Arundhati, Sati and Parvati; Daksha Yagna, Parvati’s wedding, and bitrh of Skanda) 52 Glories of Maha Deva, incarnations, Origin of Shiva Linga, Dwadasha Lingas, Pancha
    [Show full text]
  • Gautama One of the Saptarishis, Gautama Maharishi Was an Ancient Rigvedic Sage, Who Also Finds Mention in Buddhism and Jainism
    Newsletter Archives www.dollsofindia.com Ancient Rishis of India - Part 1 Copyright © 2019, DollsofIndia India is a highly spiritual land, which houses several Rishis, mendicants and Godmen. Hindu mythology prominently features Rishis, their wives and their families in several stories. In fact, many of these Rishis actually played the role of catalysts, helping Devas, Asuras, divine beings and earthlings release their karma, thus bringing good, joy and peace back into their lives. Even today, we can find rishis meditating in the secret crevices of the Himalayas and some hidden caves of the Gangotri and Yamunotri. These sages have chosen to move away from the maddening crowd of civilization and moved to those remote areas in order to attain ultimate peace, mukti and, finally, moksha or liberation, during this lifetime. In this month's article, we bring you a feature on some of the most ancient Rishis of India. While most of them are males, there are a few female yoginis and sages who are equally, if not more powerful. There are several hundreds of rishis that we can talk about. In this two-part series, we bring you the stories of some of the most important and most ancient sages of this land. Agastya Agastya was a much-revered Vedic sage, who was famous for his reclusive nature. He was a great scholar and was knowledgeable in multiple languages. He and his wife, Lopamudra, are the celebrated authors of hymns in the Rigveda and other Vedic literature. He is also venerated in Puranic literature of Shaktism and Vaishnavism. Agastya prominently features in several ancient Hindu scriptures and tales, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mahabharata
    THE MAHABHARATA A Chapter by Chapter summary of the great Indian epic, as an aid to finding passages within the original 18 Volumes. Written by Duncan Watson. 14-Dec-92 THE MAHABHARATA Translations by Kisari Mohan Ganguli and Pratap Chandra Roy. The Pratap Chandra Roy version published by Munshiram Monoharlal, New Delhi, India (Post Box 5715, 54 Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi-55): Third edition, September 1972. Mahabharata was written down by the great sage Krishna Dvaipayana (Vyasa) about 5000 years ago. It records events that occurred at the transition from the Bronze (Dwapara Yuga) to Iron Age (Kali Yuga). It tells of a battle between two great Indian ruling families, brought about through a game of dice, which resulted in great destruction. There are 18 Volumes or Parva's (there are 18 Chapters in the Bhagavad Gita, the battle last 18 days): Book Volume Part I I Adi Parva Introduction of characters, including birth and lineage. II II Sabha Parva Dicing and exile of the Pandava's. III I Vana Parva Adventures of Pandava's in the forest. (Includes the Ramayana.) III IV II Virata Parva Pandava's 13th year of exile. IV V Udyoga Parva Declaration of war. V VI Bhishma Parva Battle begins. First ten days, until Bishma (Generalissimo of Kuru army) falls. The Bhagavad-Geeta occurs at the start of this part. VI VII Drona Parva Next five days, until Drona is slain. VII VIII Karna Parva Two more days, until death of Karna. IX Salya Parva Salya falls after half a day. End of battle with most of hero's slain, including Duryodhana.
    [Show full text]
  • The Viṣṇu Purāṇa ANCIENT ANNALS of the GOD with LOTUS EYES
    The Viṣṇu Purāṇa ANCIENT ANNALS OF THE GOD WITH LOTUS EYES The Viṣṇu Purāṇa ANCIENT ANNALS OF THE GOD WITH LOTUS EYES Translated from the Sanskrit by McComas Taylor For my grandchildren Published by ANU Press The Australian National University Acton ACT 2601, Australia Email: [email protected] Available to download for free at press.anu.edu.au ISBN (print): 9781760464400 ISBN (online): 9781760464417 WorldCat (print): 1247155624 WorldCat (online): 1247154847 DOI: 10.22459/VP.2021 This title is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). The full licence terms are available at creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode Cover design and layout by ANU Press Cover image: Vishnu Reclining on Ananta. From Sage Markandeya’s Ashram and the Milky Ocean, c. 1780–1790. Mehrangarh Museum Trust. This edition © 2021 ANU Press Contents Preface xi Acknowledgements xiii Glossary xv Introduction 1 The purāṇas 1 The Viṣṇu Purāṇa 3 Problems with dating 4 Authorship 6 The audience 6 Relationship to other texts 7 The nature of Viṣṇu 10 Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa 12 The other avatāras 13 The purāṇic thought-world 14 Divine and semi-divine beings 18 Elements of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa 21 The six books 25 The Sanskrit text 32 Other translations 33 About this translation 34 References 38 Book One: Creation 43 1. Maitreya asks Parāśara about the world 43 2. Parāśara praises Viṣṇu; Creation 45 3. The divisions of time 50 4. Brahmā creates the world anew 52 5. Brahmā creates living beings 57 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Vedic Knowledge
    Introduction to Vedic Knowledge Parama Karuna Devi published by Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center Copyright © 2012 Parama Karuna Devi All rights reserved. Title ID: 4165735 ISBN-13: 978-1482500363 ISBN-10: 148250036 : Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center +91 94373 00906 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.jagannathavallabha.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parama-Karuna-Devi/513845615303209 http://www.facebook.com/JagannathaVallabhaVedicResearchCenter © 2011 PAVAN PAVAN House Siddha Mahavira patana, Puri 752002 Orissa Introduction to Vedic Knowledge TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Perspectives of study The perception of Vedic culture in western history Study of vedic scriptures in Indian history 2. The Vedic texts When, how and by whom the Vedas were written The four original Vedas - Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas Upanishads 3. The fifth Veda: the epic poems Mahabharata and Bhagavad gita Ramayana and Yoga Vasistha Puranas 4. The secondary Vedas Vedangas and Upavedas Vedanta sutra Agamas and Tantra Conclusion 3 Parama Karuna Devi 4 Introduction to Vedic Knowledge The perception of Vedic culture in western history This publication originates from the need to present in a simple, clear, objective and exhaustive way, the basic information about the original Vedic knowledge, that in the course of the centuries has often been confused by colonialist propaganda, through the writings of indologists belonging to the euro-centric Christian academic system (that were bent on refuting and demolishing the vedic scriptures rather than presenting them in a positive way) and through the cultural superimposition suffered by sincere students who only had access to very indirect material, already carefully chosen and filtered by professors or commentators that were afflicted by negative prejudice.
    [Show full text]
  • Balabhavan Class
    March 2009 SAGE AGASTYA Balabhavan Coordinators BB Announcements: Bharathy Thridandam Nithya Sudhakar Thanks to all the parent Sriram Srinivasan volunteers who have Contact: dedicated their time and [email protected] efforts in teaching our Sage Agastya was born within Lord Shiva’s mind. Balabhavan children. The He is considered as the first and foremost Class Coordinators person of Siddha. He is considered the guru of Shivarathri Pooja led by the many other Siddhas. He is also called Kurumuni, Panditji's for the Balabhavan Super-Senior Class: children was well received meaning short (kuru) saint (muni). His Sudhakar Devulapalli contributions were to the field of Medicine and was very enlightening. [email protected] (Siddha) and Astrology - especially Nadi Please look forward to some Ashok Malavalli Jodhidam (Josyam or Jothisyam). He is said to exciting events such as [email protected] have lived for over 5000 years. 'picture day' for all Ram Krishnamurthy Balabhavan children in April, [email protected] One story about Agastya goes that once the ‘family picnic day’ demons had taken refuge in the ocean and it tentatively towards the end was difficult for the gods to conquer them, so Senior Class: of May and the ‘summer Renuka Krishnan they went to Sage Agastya for help. Then, after camps’ starting in July 2009 [email protected] hearing the gods, the sage drank the entire ocean water and held it within him until the BBC Team Anitha Chidambaram [email protected] demons were destroyed. ______________________ m Krishna Meduri [email protected] Another story has it that two demon brothers, March Birthdays: Ilvala and Vatapi, planned to kill Agastya.
    [Show full text]
  • Chyavana Und Sukanya Ein Paar
    Puloma war die Frau des Weisen Bhrigu, die ihr Vater ursprünglich dem Dämon Pauloma versprochen hatte. Bhrigu ging einst in den Wald und ließ Puloma allein in der Einsiedelei zurück. Pauloma sah die Gelegenheit gekommen, Gerechtigkeit walten zu lassen und sich die Frau zu nehmen, in die er immer noch verliebt war. In der Einsiedelei brannte das Opferfeuer, Pauloma sprach zu Agni: ‚Puloma war mir versprochen, ich wurde betrogen, als Bhrigu sie mir wegnahm. Richte Du, oh Gott des Feuers, wem gehört sie, mir oder Bhrigu?‘ Agni geriet in Panik, fürchtete er doch den Fluch des Dämons, sollte er nicht in dessen Sinne antworten. So sprach Agni: ‚Es ist wahr, Pulomas Vater versprach sie dir, doch wurde sie in meiner Anwesenheit mit Bhrigu verheiratet.‘ Voll Zorn verwandelte sich Pauloma in einen Eber und entführte Puloma. Puloma war schwanger und vor Angst hatte sie eine Fehlgeburt. Das Kind fiel auf den Boden. Pauloma ließ von Puloma ab, er verbrannte beim Anblick dieses Kindes augenblicklich zu Asche. Puloma nahm ihren Sohn und ging zurück in die Einsiedelei. Als Bhrigu nach Hause kam und seine verzweifelte Frau mit dem Kind vorfand, fragte er was geschehen war. Als Puloma geendet hatte nannte er das Kind Chyavana, der Gefallene. Agni verfluchte er, ein Allesfresser zu werden. Agni protestierte, er hatte nur die Wahrheit gesprochen. Doch Bhrigu war nicht bereit, den Fluch zurückzunehmen. So zog Agni sich zurück. Die Opferfeuer der Weisen verloschen. Die Götter warteten vergebens auf die Opfergaben, die Agni stets zu ihnen trug. Die Weisen beteten zu Brahma. Brahma richtete Agni wieder auf: ‚Sieh Bhrigus Fluch positiv.
    [Show full text]
  • CLEAR- Cahoots-Like Event at Rutgers Indian Mythology Packet by Jeremy Hixson
    CLEAR- Cahoots-Like Event at Rutgers Indian Mythology Packet by Jeremy Hixson 1. According to the Matsya Purana, everywhere that this hero stepped a chasm opened up; this hero became the son of Aditi and Kasyapa after the former performed the payovrata. This figure banished his chief enemy to rule the Sotala region of the underworld. A toenail belonging to this hero pierced the upper shell of the heavens and, in order to wash the foot, Brahma caused the celestial Ganges to begin flowing there. Shukracharya cursed his student after the latter refused to take his advice and not grant a promised boon to this hero, allowing this hero to then defeat Mahabali by encompassing the three lokas in three steps after taking the form of the giant Trivikrama. FTP, name this fifth avatar of Vishnu, taking the form of a dwarf. ANSWER: Vamana 2. In one tale, this figure disguised a pack of jackals as horses in order to avenge the imprisonment of a follower, and another myth relates that the sage Durvasa was born to Anasuya as a partial incarnation of this figure after this deity shed an aspect of himself which annoyed the other devas. The river Gandaki was born of the sweat produced during sex between this figure and Vishnu in the latter’s form as Mohini, and another story relates how this figure, pretending to be a fisherman from Madura, won a wife by catching a shark with a single net cast. In another story, this figure incited curses from the seven sages when, nude and covered in red and white chalk, he excited their wives, and another account says that Bhrigu cursed this figure, who held the poison of Vanuki in his throat after the churning of the ocean, to be worshipped only in the form of the linga.
    [Show full text]