The Vishnu Purana is one of the
oldest of the Puranas, containing some 23,000 shlokas, presented
as a dialogue between Parasara with his disciple Maitreya. It is
divided in six parts. The third part treats the Maha Avatara of
Vishnu.
Vishnu Purana contains six parts. First part narrates about the
creation of the universe, Pralay and churning of the sea. Second
part contains geographical description of earth divided into
seven islands. Third part describes about the origin of
Buddhism. Fourth part contains a description about the
populating of the earth from the beginning. Fifth part is
entirely devoted to the life and plays of Lord Krishna.
First part: Describes the
creation of the universe, birth of the gods and the demons,
Pralaya, churning of the sea, tales of the devotee Dhruva;
killing of Hiranyakashipu etc.
Second part: Contains the
description of Priyavrata’s sons and Bharat dynasty. It also has
a geographical description of Jambu dweep, Bharat varsh,
Shatdweep, Patal (the hades), the sun and the planets, chariot
of the sun, origin of the Ganges etc.
Third part: Contains a
detailed description of Manavantaras, Kalpa, Veda Vyasa,
religion and the caste system etc. It also has a description of
the origin of Buddhism.
Fourth part: Origin of
Brahmanand Daksha etc. Birth of Pururava, marriage of Balarama
with Revati. Birth of Ikshavaku. Kukutstha dynasty. Tale of
Yuvanashva and Saubhari. Sarpvinasha mantra. A Narayana dynasty,
Birth of Sagar. Ashwamedha by Sagar. Descendence 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, Origin of Agnitrayo, birth of Dhanvantri and his clan.
Wars with the demons, clan of Nahush, tale of Yayati, Yadu
dynasty. Birth of Kartveerya Arjun.
Tales of Krishna’s birth, marriage of Krishna with Jambvanti and
Satyabhama. Salvation of Shishupaal. Over population of
Yaduvanshis. Birth of Karna and his find him by Adhirath.
Janamejaya dynasty and origin of Bharat. Clans of Jahnu and
Pandu. Clan of Parikshit and royal dynasties of the future.
Future generation of Ikshvaku dynasty. Future generation of
Brihad dynasty. Future generations of Pradyot dynasty. Kingdom
of Nand. Advent of Kali Yuga and description of royal dynasties
of Kali Yuga.
Fifth part: Marriage of
Vasudev and Devaki. Incarnation of Lord Vishnu to kill Kansa.
Arrival of Yagmaya in Yashoda womb and of the Lord in Devaki’s
womb. Birth of Lord Krishna, carrying of Krishna to Gokul,
Dialogue of Mahamaya with Kansa, acquiring of defensive stance
by Kansa. Releasing of Vasudeva and Devaki. Killing of Putana.
Killing of Shakat. Naming of Krishna and Balarama. Humiliation
of Kaliya. Killing of Dhenukasura, killing of Pralamb,
description of festival devoted to Indra, worshipping of
Govardhana, arrival of Indra, killing of Arishtakasura. Arrival
of Narad in Kansa’s court. Killing of Keshi, Arrival of Akrur in
Vrindavana. Arrival of Lord Krishna in Mathura. Lord Krishna’s
mercy on Kubja. Arrival of Lord Krishna in amphi-theatre and
killing of Kansa.
Coronation of Ugrasena, bringing of Sudharma in Mathura, defeat
of Jarasandha, birth of Kalayavan, killing of Kalayavan.
Vrindavan tour by Balarama, getting of Varuni by Balarama.
Abduction of Rukmani, abduction of Pradyumna, getting of
Pradyumna by Mayavati, killing of Shambar by Pradyumna, killing
of Rukmi by Balarama, getting of sixteen thousand queens by Lord
Krishna. Abduction of Parijat. Fight with Indra. Begging for
pardon by Indra. Migration to Dwarka, bow battle. Telling of
dream by Usha, abduction of Aniruddha, fight with Lord Shiva,
amputation of Bana by Lord Krishna, killing of Kashiraj
Paundraka. Putting of Varanasi on flames. Abduction of Lakshmana.
Presentation of Samb before the sages as an expecting mother.
Origin of pestle. Destruction of Yadu vansha. Ascendence of Lord
Krishna to heaven, beginning of Kali Yuga, preaching of Arjun by
Vyasa. Coronation of Parikshit.
Sixth part: Description of
religion in Kali Yuga. Description of the importance of Kali
Yuga, Shudra and women folk by Vyasa. Description of Kalpa.
Description of a day of Brahma. Position of Brahma in Pralaya.
Natural disasters. Different kinds of sorrows. Torturing in
hell. Awakening of Brahma, Preaching of Yoga. Tale of
Keshidhwaja. Killing of the religion and the cow. Holding of
counsel by Khandikya. Self knoweldge. Ridicules of
body-spiritualism. Querries of Yoga. Brahmagyana (Vedas).
Concepts of tangible-intangible appearances of God. Salvation of
Khandikya and Keshidhwaja. Excellence of Vishnu Purana. Virtues
of Lord Vishnu’s names. Results of hearing Lord’s name.
BACK
