BOOK 1
Chap. 1.—
Invocation. Maitreya inquires of his teacher, Parasara 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 Visnu Purana. Visnu the origin, existence, and end of all things. Pag 1
Chap. 2.
Prayer of Parasara to Visnu. Successive narration of the Visnu Purana. 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 senses, senses; of the mundane egg. Visnu the same as Brahma the creator ; Visnu the preserver; Rudra the destroyer.— pag. 10
Chap. 3
Measure of time. Moments or Kasthas, &c.; day and night, fortnight, month, year, divine year: Yugas, or ages: Maha- yuga, or great age: day of Brahma: periods of the Manus: a Manvantara: night of Brahma, and destruction of the world: a year of Brahma: his life: a Kalpa: a Pararddha: the past, or Padma Kalpa : the present, or Varaha.— pag. 30
Chap. 4
Narayana’s appearance, in the beginning of the Kalpa, as the Varaha or boar : Prithivi (Earth) 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.38
Chap. 5
Visnu as Brahma creates the world. General characteristics of creation. Brahma meditates, and gives origin to immovable things, animals, gods, men. Specific creation of nine kinds ; Mahat, Tanmatra, Aindriya, inanimate objects, animals, gods, men, Anugraha, and Kaumara. More particular account of creation. Origin of different orders of beings from Brahma’s body under different conditions; and of the Vedas from his mouths. All things created again as they existed in a former Kalpa. P. 48
Chap. 6
Origin of the four castes: their primitive state. Progress of society. Different kinds of grain. Efficacy of sacrifice. Duties of men: regions assigned them after death.—
Chap. 7
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 Svayambhuva, and his wife Satarupa; of their children. The daughters of Daksa, and their marriage to Dharma and others. The progeny of Dharma and Adharma. The perpetual succession of worlds, and different modes of mundane dissolution. P. 71
Chap. 8
Origin of Rudra: his becoming eight Rudras: their wives and children. The posterity of Bhrigu. Account of Sri in conjunction with Visnu. (Sacrifice of Daksa.). P. 83
Chap. 9
Story of Lakshmi. Durvasas gives a garland to Indra: he treats it disrespectfully, and is cursed by the Muni. The power of the gods impaired: they are oppressed by the Danavas, and have recourse to Visnu. The churning of the ocean. Praises of Sri. Pag. 96
Chap. 10
The descendants of the daughters of Daksa married to the Rishis.—P. 117
Chap. 11
Story of Dhruva, the son of Uttanapada: 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 recommed him to propitiate Visnu. Pag. 122
Chap. 12
Dhruva commences a course of religions austerities. Unsuccessful attempts of Indra and his ministers to distract Dhruva’s attention: they appeal to Visnu, who allays their fears, and appears to Dhruva. Dhruva praises Visnu, and is raised to the skies as the pole-star. P. 129
Chap. 13
Posterity of Dhruva. Story of Vena: his impiety: he is put to death by the Rishis. Anarchy ensues. The production of Nishada 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 cultivation : erects cities. Earth called after him Prithivi. Typified as a cow. P. 143
Chap. 14
Descendants of Prithu. Story of the Prachetasas: they are desired by their father to multiply mankind, by worshipping Visnu: they plunge into the sea, and meditate on and praise him: he appears, and grants their wishes. P. 157
Chap. 15
The world overrun with trees: they are destroyed by the Prachetasas. Soma pacifies them, and gives them Marisa to wife: her story: the daughter of the nymph Pramlocha. Story of Kandu. Marisa’s former history. Daksa the son of the Prachetasas: bis different characters: his sons: his daughters: their marriages and progeny: allusion to Prahlada, his descendant. P. 164
Chap. 16
Inquiries of Maitreya respecting the history of Prahlada P. 188
Chap. 17
Story of Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu the sovereign of the universe: the gods dispersed, or in servitude to him: Prahlada, his son, remains devoted to Visnu: questioned by his father, he praises Visnu: Hiranyakasipu orders him to be put to death, but in vain: his repeated deliverance: he teaches his companions to adore Visnu. -P. 190
Chap. 18
Hiranyakasipu’s reiterated attempts to destroy his son: their being always frustrated. P. 202
Chap. 19
Dialogue between Prahlada and his father: he is cast from the top of the palace unhurt: baffles the incantations of Samvara: he is thrown fettered into the sea: he praises Visnu. P. 207
Chap. 20
Visnu appears to Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu relents, and is reconciled to his son: be is put to death by Visnu as the Nrisinha. Prahlada becomes king of the Daityas: his posterity: fruit of hearing his story. -P. 217
Chap 21
Families of the Daityas. Descendants of Kasyapa by Danu. Children of Kasyapa by his other wives. Birth of the Marutas, the sons of Diti. P. 222
Chap. 22
Dominion over different provinces of cereation assigned to different beings. Universality of Visnu. Four varieties of spiritual contemplation. Two conditions of spirit. The perceptible attributes of Visnu: types of his imperceptible properties. Visnu everything. Merit of hearing the first book of the Visnu Purana. P. 230
BOOK 2
Chap. 1
Descendants of Priyavrata, the eldest son of Svayambhuva Manu: his ten sons: three adopt a religious life ; the others become kings of the seven Dvipas, or isles, of the earth. Agnidhra, king of Jambudvipa, divides it into nine portions, which he distributes amongst his sons. Nabhi. king of the south, succeeded by Rishabha; and he by Bharata: India named after him Bharata: his descendants reign during the Svayambhuva Manvantara. P. 242-
Chap. 2
Description of the earth. The seven Dvipas and seven seas. Jambudvipa. Mount Meru: its extent and boundaries. Extent of Ilavrita. Groves, lakes, and branches of Meru. Cities of the gods. Rivers. The forms of Visnu worshipped in diffent Varsha. P. 249
Chap. 3
Description of Bharata-varsha: extent: chief mountains: nine divisions: principal rivers and mountains of Bhdrata proper: principal nations: superiority over other Varshas, especially as the seat of religious acts. (Topographical lists.) P. 259
Chap. 4
Account of kings, divisions, mountains, rivers, and inhabitants of the other Dvipas, viz. Plaksha, Salmala, Kusa, Krauncha. Saka, and Pushkara: of the oceans separating them: of the tides: of the confines of the earth: the Lokaloka mountain. Extent of the whole. P. 283
Chap. 5
Of the seven religions of Patala, below the ehrth. Narada’s praises of Patala. Account of the serpent Sesha. First teacher of astronomy and astrology. P. 294
Chap. 6
Of the different hells, or divisions of Naraka, below Patala: the crimes punished in them respectively; efficacy of expiation: meditation on Visnu the most effective expiation. P. 299
Chap. 7
Extent and situation of the seven spheres, viz. earth, sky, planets, Mahar-loka, Jana-loka, Tapo-loka and Satya-loka. Of egg of Brahma, and its elementary envelopes. Of the influence the energy of Visnu. —P. 306
Chap. 8
Description of the sun: his chariot, its two axles, 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, Visnu. Origin of Ganga, and separation, on the top of Meru, into four great rivers. —P. 314
Chap. 9
Planetary system, under the type 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 ot animal life. Narayana the support of all beings. —P. 332
Chap. 10
Names of the twelve Adityas. Names of the Rishis, Gandharvas, Apsarasas, Yakshas, Uragas, and Rakshasas, who attend the chariot of the sun in each month of the year. Their respective functions. —P. 3.36
Chap. 11
The sun distinct from, and supreme over, the attendants on his car: identical with the three Vedas and with Visnu: his functions.—P. 339
Chap. 12
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. Typical members of the planetary porpoise. Vasudeva alone real. —P. 342
Chap. 13
Story of Bharata: Bharata abdicates his throne, and becomes an ascetic: cherishes a fawn, and becomes so much attached to it as to neglect his devotions: he dies: his successive births: works in the fields, and is pressed as a palankin-bearer for the Raja Sauvira: rebuked for his awkwardness: his reply: dialogue between him and the king. P. 349
Chap. 14
Dialogue continued. Bharata expounds the nature of existence, the end of life, and the identification of individual with universal spirit. P. 362
Chap. 15
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 of unity, and departs. — p- 366
Chap. 16
Ribhu returns to his disciple, and perfects him in divine knowledge. The same recommended to the Raja by Bharata, who thereupon obtains final liberation. Consequences of hearing this story. P. 370
BOOK 3
Chap. 1
Account of the several Manus and Manwantaras. Svarocisa the second Manu: the divinities, the Indra, the seven Rishis of his period, and his sons. Similar details of Auttami. Tamasa, Raivata, Caksusa. and Vaivasvata. The forms of Visnu, as the preserver, in each Manwantara. The meaning of Visnu. P. 375
Chap. 2
Of the seven future Manus and Manvantaras. Story of Sanjna and Chhaya, wives of the sun. Savarni, son of Chhaya, the eighth Manu. His successors, with the divinities, &c. of their respective periods. Appearance of Visnu in each of the four Yugas. P. 384
Chap, 3
Division of the Veda into four portions, by a Vyasa, in every Dvapara age. List of the twenty-eight Vyasas of the present Manvantara. Meaning of the word Brahma. P. 393
Chap. 4
Division of the Veda, in the last Dvapara age, by the Vyasa Krishna Dvaipayana. Paila made reader of the Rik ; Vaisampayana of the Yajus; Jaimini of the Saman; and Sumantu of the Artharvan. Sula appointed to teach the historical poems. Origin of the four parts of the Veda. Samhitas of the Rig-veda.—P. 397
Chap. 5
Divisions of the Yajur-veda. Story of Yajnavalkya: forced to give up what he has learned: picked up by others, forming the Taittiriya-yajus. Yajnawalkya worships the sun, who communicates to him the Vajasaneya Yajush. —P. 403
Chap. 6
Divisions of the Sama-veda: of the Atharva-veda. Four Pauranik Samhitas. Names of the eighteen Puranas. Branches of knowledge. Classes of Rishis. P. 407
Chap. 7
By what means men are exempted from the authority of Yama, as narrated by Bhisma to Nakula. Dialogue between Yama and one of his attendants. Worshippers of Visnu not subject to Yama. How they are to be known. P.413
Chap. 8
How Visnu is to be worshipped, as related by Aurva to Sagara. Duties of the four castes, severally and in common: also in time of distress. P. 418
Chap. 9
Duties of the religious student, householder, hermit, and mendicant. P. 425
Chap. 10
Ceremonies to be observed at the birth and naming of a child. Of marrying, or leading a religious life. Choice of a wife. Different modes of marrying. —P. 429
Chap. 11
Of the Sadacaras, or perpetual obligations of a householder. Daily purifications, ablutions, libations, and oblations: hospitality: obsequial rites: ceremonies lobe observed at meals, at morning and evening worship, and on going to rest. —P. 433
Chap. 12
Miscellaneous obligations — purificatory, ceremonial, and moral. -P. 450
Chap. 13
Of Sraddhas, or rites in honour of ancestors, to be permformed on occasions of rejoicing obsequial ceremonies. Of the Ekoddista or monthly Sraddha, and the Sapindana or annual one. By whom to be performed. -P.456
Chap. 14
Of occasional Sraddhas, or obsequial ceremonies: when most efficacious, and at what places. —P. 463
Chap. 15
What Brahmans are to be entertained at Sraddhas. Different prayers to be recited. Offerings of food to be presented to deceased ancestors. —P. 469
Chap. 16
Things proper to be offered as food to deceased ancestors: prohibited things. Circumstances vitiating a Sraddha: how to be avoided. Song of the Pitris, or progenitors, heard by Iksvaku. —P. 478
Chap. 17
Of heretics, or those who reject the authority of the Vedas: their origin, as described by Vasistha to Bhisma: the gods, defeated by the Daityas, praise Visnu: an illusory being, or-Buddha, produced from his body. —P. 482
Chap. 18
Buddha goes to the earth, and teaches the Daityas to condemn the Vedas: his sceptical doctrines: his prohibition of animal sacrifices. Meaning of the term Bauddha. Jainas and Baud- dhas; their tenets. The Daityas lose their power, and are overcome by the gods. Meaning of the term Nagna. Consequences of neglect of duty. Story of Satadhanu and his wife Saivya. Communion with heretics to be shunned. —P. 487 –
BOOK 4
Chap. 1
Dynasties of kings. Origin of the solar dynasty from Brahma. Sons of the Manu Vaivasvata. Transformations of Ila or Sudumnya. Descendants of the sons of Vaivasvata, those of Nedista. Greatness of Marutta. Kings of Vaisali. Descendants of Saryati. Story of Raivata: his daughter Revati married to Balarama. —P. 501
Chap. 2
Dispersion of Revata’s descendants: those of Dhrista: those of Nabhaga. Birth of lksvaku, the son of Vaivasvata: his sons. Line of Vikuksi. Story of Kakutstha ; of Dhundhumara; of Yuvanaswa; of Mandhatri, his daughters married to Saubhari. —P. 514
Chap 3
Saubhari and his wives adopt an ascetic life. Descendants of Mandhatri. Story of Narmada and Purukutsa. Story of Trisanku. Bahu driven from his Kingdom by the Haihayas and Talajanghas. Birth of Sagara: he conquers the barbarians, imposes upon them distinguishing usages, and excludes them from offerings to fire, and the study of the Vedas. —P. 529
Chap. 4
The progeny of Sagara: their wickedness: he performs an Asvamedha: the horse stolen by Kapila: found by Sagara’s sons, who are all destroyed by the sage: the horse recovered by Ansumat: his descendants. Story of Mitrasaha or Kalmasapada. the son of Sudasi. Story of Khatvanga. Birth of Rama and the other sons of Dasaratha. Epitome of the history of Rama: his descendants, and those of his brothers. Line of Kusa. Vrihadbala, the last, killed in the great war. —P. 537
Chap. 5
Kings of Mithila. Story of Nimi, the son of lksvaku. Birth of Janaka. Sacrifice of Siradhwaja. Origin of Sita. Descendants of Kusudhvaja. Krita the last of the Maithila princes. — P. 552
Chap.6
Kings of the lunar dynasty. Origin of Soma or the moon: he carries off Tara, the wife of Brihaspati: war between the gods and Asuras in consequence: appeased by Brahma. Birth of Budha: married to Ila, daughter of Vaivaswata. Story of his son Pururavas, and the nymph Urvasi: the former institutes offerings with fire: ascends to the sphere of the Gandharvas. P. 556
Chap. 7
Sons of Pururavas. Descendants of Amavasu. Indra born of Gadhi. Story of Richika and Satyavati. Birth of Jamadagni and Visvamitra. Parasurama the son of the former. (Story of Parasurama.) Sunahsepha and others: the sons of Visvamitra, forming the Kausika race. Pag???
Chap. 8
Sons of Ayus. Line of Kshatravriddha, or kings of Kasi. Former birth of Dhanvantari. Various names of Pratarddana. Greatness of Alarka. —P. 573
Chap. 9
Descendants of Raji, son of Ayus: Indra resigns his throne to him: claimed after his death by his sons, who apostatize from the religion of the Vedas, and are destroyed by Indra. Decendants of Pratiksatra, son of Ksatravriddha—P. 578
Chap. 10
The sons of Nahusha. The sons of Yayati: he is cursed by Sukra: wishes his sons to exchange their vigour for his infirmities. Puru alone consents. Yayati restores him his youth: divides the earth amongst his sons, under the supremacy of Puru. —P. 581
Chap. 11
The Yadeva race, or descendants of Yadu. Karttavirya obtains a boon from Dattatreya: takes Ravana prisoner: is killed by Parasurama: his descendants. —P. 585
Chap. 12
Descendants of Krostri. Jyamagha’s connubial affection for his wife Saivya: their descendants kings of Vidarbha and Chedi. —P. 589
Chap. 13
Sons of Satvata. Bhoja princes of Mrittikavati. Surya the friend of Satrajit: appears to him in a bodily form: gives him the Syamantaka gem: its brilliance and marvellous properties. Satrajit gives it to Prasena, who is killed by a lion: the lion killed by the bear Jambavat. Krishna suspected of killing Prasena, goes to look for him in the forests, traces the bear to his cave: fights with him for the jewel: the contest prolonged: supposed by his companions to be slain: he overthrows Jambavat and marries his daugher Jambavati: returns with her and the jewel to Dvaraka: restores the jewel to Satrajit, and marries his daughter Satyabhama, Satrajit murdered by Satadhanvan: avenged by Krishna. Quarrel between Krishna and Balarama. Akrura possessed of the jewel: leaves Dvaraka. Public calamities. Meeting of the Yadavas. Story of Akrura’s birth: he is invited to return: accused by Krishna of having the Syamantaka jewel: produces it in full assembly: it remains in his charge: Krishna acquitted of having purloined it. —P. 59?
Chap. 14
Descendants of Sini, of Anamitra, of Svaphalka and Citraka, of Andhaka. The children of Devaka and Ugrasena. The descendants of Bhajamana. Children of Sura: his son Vasudeva: his daugher Pritha married to Pandu: her children, Yudhisthira and his brothers; also Karna by Aditya. The sons of Pandu by Madri. Husbands and children of Sura’s other daughters. Previous births of Sisupala. P.609
Chap. 15
Explanation of the reason why Sisupala in his previous births as Hiranyakasipu and Ravana was not identified with Visnu on being slain by him, and was so identified when killed as Sisupala. The wives of Vasudeva: his children: Balarama and Krishna his sons by Devaki: born apparently of Rohini and Yasoda. The wives and children of Krishna. Multitude of the descendants of Yadu. P. 613
Chap. 16
Descendants of Turvasu. P. 618.
Chap. 17
Descendants of Druhyu. P. 619
Chap. 18
Descendants of Anu. Countries and towns named after some of them, as Anga, Banga, and others. P.620 .
Chap. 19
Descendants of Puru. Birth of Bharata, the son of Dusyanta: his sons killed: adopts Bharadvaja or Vitatha. Hastin, founder of Hastinapur. Sons of Ajainidha, and the races derived from them, as Pancalas, &c. Kripa and Kripi found by Santanu. Descendants of Riksha, the son of Ajanudha. Kuruksetra named from Kuru, Jarasandha and others, kings of Magadha. P.623
Chap. 20
Descendants of Kuru. Devapi abdicates the throne: assumed by Santanu: he is confirmed by the Brahmans: Bhisma his son by Ganga: his other sons. Birth of Dhritarastra, Pandu, and Vidura. The hundred sons of Dhritarastra. The five sons of Pandu: married to Draupadi: their posterity. Pariksit, the grandson of Arjuna, the reigning king P. 63
Chap. 21
Future kings. Descendants of Parikshit, ending with Ksemaka. —P. 639
Chap. 22
Future kings of the family of lksvaku, ending with Sumitra. —P. 641
Chap. 23
Future kings of Magadha, descendants of Brihadratha. -P. 643.
Chap. 24
Future kings of Magadha. Five princes of the line of Pradyota. Ten Saisunagas. Nine Nandas. Ten Mauryas. Ten Sungas. Four Kanvas. Thirty Andhrabhrityas. Kings of various tribes and castes, and periods of their rule. Ascendancy of barbarians. Different races in different regions. Period of universal iniquity and decay. Coming of Visnu as Kalki. Destruction of the wicked, and restoration of the practices of the Vedas. End of the Kali, and return of the Krita age. Duration of the Kali. Verses chanted by Earth, and communicated by Asita to Janaka. End of the fourth book. —P. 644
BOOK 5
Chap. 1
The death of Kamsa announced. Earth, oppressed by the Daityas, applies to the gods. They accompany her to Visnu, who promises to give her relief. Kamsa imprisons Vasudeva and Devaki. Visnu’s instructions to Yoganidra —P. 673-
Chap. 2
The conception of Devaki: her appearance: she is praised by the gods. —P. 686
Chap. 3
Birth of Krishna : conveyed by Vasudeva to Mathura, and exchanged with the new-born daughter of Yasoda. Kamsa attempts to destroy the latter, who becomes Yoganidra. —689
Chap. 4
Kamsa addresses his friends, announces their danger, and orders male children to be put to death. —P. 692.
Chap. 5
Narada returns with the infants Krishna, and Balarama to Gokula. Putana killed by the former. Prayers of Nanda and Yasoda —P. 694
Chap. 6
Krishna overturns a waggon: casts down two trees. The Gopas depart to Vrindavana. Sports of the boys. Description of the season of the rains. —P. 697
Chap. 7
Krishna combats the serpent Kaliya: alarm of his parents and companions: he overcomes the serpent, and is propitiated by him: commands him to depart from the Yamuna river to the ocean —P. 703
Chap. 8
The demon Dhenuka destroyed by Rama. —P. 713
Chap. 9
Sports of the boys in the forest. Pralamba the Asura comes amongst them: is destroyed by Rama, at the command of Krishna.— P. 714
Chap. 10
Description of autumn. Krishna dissuades Nanda from worshipping Indra: recommends him and the Gopas to worship cattle and the mountains —P. 719
Chap. 11
Indra, offended by the loss of his offerings, causes heavy rains to deluge Gokula Krishna holds up the mountain Govardhana to shelter the cowherds and their cattle. —P. 726
Chap. 12
Indra comes to Gokula: praises Krishna, and makes him prince over the cattle. Krishna promises to befriend Arjuna. — P. 729
Chap. 13
Krishna praised by the cowherds: his sports with the Gopis: their imitation and love of him. The Rasa dance —P. 732
Chap. 14
Krishna kills the demon Arista, in the form of a bull.
Chap. 15
Kamsa informed by Narada of the existence of Krishna and Balarama: he sends Kesi to destroy them, and Akura to bring them to Mathura —P. 742
Chap. 16
Kesin, in the form of a horse, slain by Krishna: he is praised by Narada. —P. 745
Chap. 17
Akrura’s meditation on Krishna: his arrival at Gokula: his delight at seeing Krishna and his brother. P. 748
Chap. 18
Grief of the Gopis on the departure of Krishna and Balarama with Akrura, their leaving Gokula. Akrura bathes in the Yamuna; beholds the divine forms of the two youths, and praises Visnu. —P. 752
Chap. 19
Akura conveys Krishna and Rama near to Mathura, and leaves them: they enter the town. Insolence of Kamsa’s washerman: Krishna kills him. Civility of a flower-seller: Krishna gives him his benedication. —P. 759
Chap. 20
Krishna and Balarama meet Kubja; she is made straight by the former: they proceed to the palace. Krishna breaks a bow intended for a trial of arms. Kamsa’s orders to his servients. Public games. Krishna and his brother enter the arena: the former wrestles with Canura, the latter with Mustika, the king’s wrestlers; who are both killed. Krishna attacks and slays Kamsa: he and Balarama do homage to Vasudeva and Devaki: the former praises Krishna. P. 762
Chap. 21
Krishna encourages his parents; places Ugrasena on the throne; becomes the pupil of Sandipani, whose son he recovers from the sea: he kills the marine demon Pancajana, and makes a horn of his shell. P. 777
Chap. 22
Jarasandha besieges Mathura; is defeated, but repeatedly renews the attack.—P. 781
Chap. 23
Birth of Kalayavana: he advances against Mathura. Krishna builds Dvaraka, and sends thither the Yadava tribe: he leads Kalayavana into the cave of Mucukunda: the latter awakes, consumes the Yavana king, and praises Krishna. —P. 783
Chap. 24
Mucukunda goes to perform penance. Krishna takes the army and treasures of Kalayavana, and repairs with them to Dvaraka. Balarama visits Vraja: inquiries of its inhabitants after Krishna. —P. 789
Chap. 25
Balarama finds wine in the hollow of a tree; becomes inebriated; commands the Yamuna to come to him, and on her refusal drags her out of her course: Lakshmi gives him ornaments and a dress: he returns to Dvaraka, and marries Revati. P. 792
Chap. 26
Krishna carries off Rukmini: the princes who come to rescue her repulsed by Balarama. Rukmi overthrown, but spared by Krishna, founds Bhojakata, Pradyumna born of Rukmini. —P. 794
Chap. 27
Pradyumna stolen by Sambara; thrown into the sea, and swallowed by a fish; found by Mayadevi: he kills Sambara, marries Mayadevi, and returns with her to Dvaraka. Joy of Rukmini and Krishna. P. 796
Chap. 28
Wives of Krishna. Pradyumna has Aniruddha: nuptials of the latter. Balarama beat at dice, becomes incensed, and slays Rukmi and others. —P. 800
Chap. 29
Indra comes to Dvaraka, and reports to Krishna the tyranny of Naraka. Krishna goes to his city, and puts him to death. Earth gives the earrings of Aditi to Krishna, and praises him. He liberates the princesses made captive by Naraka, sends them to Dwaraka, and goes to Satyabhama. P. 804
Chap. 30
Krishna restores her earrings to Aditi, and is praised by her: he visits the gardens of Indra. and at the desire of Satyabhama carries off the Parijata tree. Sachi excites Indra to its rescue. Conflict between the gods and Krishna, who defeats them. Satyabhama derides them. They praise Krishna. —P. 808
Chap. 31
Krishna, with lndra’s consent, takes the Parijata tree to Dvaraka; marries the princesses rescued from Naraka. P. 817
Chap. 32
Children of Krishna. Usha. the daughter of Bana, secs Aniruddha in a dream, and becomes enamoured of him. P. 819
Chap. 33
Bana solicits Siva for war: finds Aniruddha in the palace, and makes him prisoner. Krishna, Balarama, and Pradyumna come to his rescue. Siva and Skanda aid Bana: the former is disabled; the latter put to flight. Bana encounters Krishna, who cuts off all his arms, and is about to put him to death. Siva intercedes, and Krishna spares his life. Visnu and Siva are the same. —P. 822
Chap. 34
Paundraka, a Vasudeva, assumes the insignia and style of Krishna, supported by the king of Kasi. Krishna marches against, and destroys them. The son of the king sends a magical being against Krishna; destroyed by his discus, which also sets Benares on fire, and consumes it and its inhabitants. —P. 828
Chap. 35
Samba carries off the daughter of Duryodhana, but is taken prisoner. Balarama comes to Hastinapura, and demands his liberation: it is refused: in his wrath he drags the city towards him, to throw it into the river. The Kuru chiefs give up Samba and his wife. —P. 335
Chap. 36
The Asura Dvivida. in the form of an ape, destroyed by Balarama. P.839
Chap. 37
Destruction of the Yadavas. Samba and others deceive and ridicule the Rishis. The former bears an iron pestle: it is broken, and thrown into the sea. The Yadavas go to Prabhasa by desire of Krishna: they quarrel and fight, and all perish. The great serpent Sesa issues from the mouth of Rama. Krishna is shot by a hunter, and again becomes one with universal spirit. —P. 842
Chap. 37
Arjuna comes to Dvaraka. and burns the dead, and takes away the surviving inhabitants. Commencement of the Kali age. Shepherds and thieves attack Arjuna and carry off the women and wealth. Arjuna regrets the loss of his prowess to Vyasa; who consoles him and tells him the story of Astavakra’s cursing the Apsarasas. Arjuna and his brothers place Parikshit on the throne, and go to the forests. End of the fifth book. —P. 852
BOOK 6
Chap. 1
Of the dissolution of the world: the four ages: the decline of all things, and deterioration of mankind, in the Kali age. —P. 865
Chap. 2
Redeeming properties of the Kali age. Devotion to Visnu sufficient to salvation in that age for all castes and persons. —P. 873 .
Chap. 3
Three different kinds of dissolution. Duration of a Pararddha. The Clepsydra, or vessel for measuring time. The dissolution that occurs at the end of a day of Brahma. —P. 878
Chap. 4
Continuation of the account of the first kind of dissolution. Of the second kind, or elemental dissolution; of all being resolved into primary spirit. —P. 884
Chap. 5
The third kind of dissolution, or final liberation from existence. Evils of worldly life. Sufferings in infancy, manhood, old age. Pains of hell. Imperfect felicity of heaven. Exemption from birth desirable by the wise. The nature of spirit or god. Meaning of the terms Bhagavat and Vasudeva.— P. 890
Chap. 6
Means of attaining liberation. Anecdotes of Khandikya and Kesidhvaja. The former instructs the latter how to atone for permitting the death of a cow. Kesidhvaja offers him a ???? and he desires to be instructed in spiritual knowledge. —P.901
Chap. 7
Kesidhvaja describes the nature of ignorance, and the benefits of the Yoga, or contemplative devotion. Of the novice and the adept in the performance of the Yoga. How it is performed. The first stage, proficiency in acts of restraint and moral duty: the second, particular mode of sitting: the third, Pranayama, modes of breathing: the fourth, Pratyahara, restraint of thought: the fifth, apprehension of spirit: the sixth, retention of the idea. Meditation on the individual and universal forms of Visnu. Acquirement of knowledge. Final liberation. —P. 907
Chap. 8
Conclusion of the dialogue between Parasara and Maitreya. Recapitulation of the contents of the Visnu Purana; merit of hearing it: how handed down. Praises of Visnu. Concluding prayer. —P. 923
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