Brahmanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu
religious text , is considered the last of the Puranas, and it
once contained Aadhyatma Ramayana.
It is the eighteenth Purana. Presently available in separate
pieces, Adhyatma Ramayana is also included in this Purana, but
the present versions of Brahmand Purana do not contain Adhyatma
Ramayan. It has four parts- Prakriya, Anushanga, Upotaghat and
Upasamhar. This Purana is said to be narrated by Sutaji on the
bank of the river Drishdvati in Yaksh kshetra (identified with
Sutlej in modern Himachal Pradesh). From his narration, it is
clear that Sutaji had heard the Purana from Veda Vyasa who, in
his turn, received it from Vayudev.
Creation of the universe, determination of Kalpa,
differentiation of Yugas, description of Manvantaras,
description of Jambudweep and Bharatvarsh, description of
Kimpurush. Anudweep, Ketumaal varsh etc. and description of
Bharat vansha, Prithu vansha, Dev vansh, Rishi vansh, Agni vansh
and preceptors are the main topics of Brahmand Purana.
Described in the Purana, Adhyatma Ramayana has seven parts.
First part describes the Brahmaswarup (cosmic appearance) of
Shri Rama. Incarnation of Lord Rama to relieve the earth from
the atrocities of the demons. Baal-leela (childhood plays).
Emancipation of Ahilya. Removal of Bhargava?s (Parashuram?s)
ego. Second part contains: Lord Rama?s going into exile. Demise
of Dashrath. Aranyakand describes killing of the illusionary
deer and abduction of Sita. Kishkindha khand describes the
killing of Baali. Search of Sita. Sundar Khand has the tales of
Hanuman?s entry into Lanka. Lanka khand contains the description
of killing of Ravana and coronation of Lord Rama upon his return
to Ayodhya. In Uttar Khand reasons for Ravana?s birth have been
described. It also contains the description of Sita?s desertion
by Rama. Desertion of Lakshmana. Coronation of Luv and Kush and
departure of Rama to his original Vaikunth loka.
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