Harivamsa Purana in 3 Volumes

About the BookThe great Saga Vyasa – the writer of the epic of Mahabharata and the Puranas was an eminent writer of his times, the parallel of whom is difficult to be found in the religious history of India. In spite of his composing his epic of Mahabharata comprising of a lac of verses, it is believed that he still felt, dissatisfied, and intended to create further literature. With this end in view, he composed the Harivamsa which is believed to be an appendix to the great epic of Mahabharata.

The main object for the composing of Harivamsa has been apparently to sing the praise of Lord Visnu which is divided into three Parvas viz. Harivamsa Visnu Parva and Bhavisya Parva. The three Parvas deal with subjects of the creations of the world, the king of the solar and lunar dynasties, the Yadu race besides the birth of Lord Krsna, and his childhood sports. In fact, Visnu Parva deals with the childhood sports of Si Krishna. Though traces of some future events are found at the start of the Bhavisya Parva, the matters like the creation of the world, the incarnation, of Visnu Vamana, and Narsimha are also mentioned besides Siva and Visnu constitute the main theme of the Parva.

The Adi Parva, chapter 2 of the Mahabharata testified about the authorship of Harivamsa which rests with the sage Vyasa, as follows

About the AuthorA Graduate of Punjab University has served the Archaeological Survey of India, and the Ministry of Home Affairs for over four decades, in Curatorial and other capacities. He has to his credit the scientific documentation of over fifty thousand antiquities like sculptures, bronzes, paintings, pottery, and beads, etc. ranging from the earliest times to the late medieval period. He was given an award by the Government of Himachal Pradesh in 1983, for his monograph on the antiquarian remains of that state. He was also awarded a Fellowship for his monograph on the Temples of Himachal Pradesh 1987-89 by the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. He was given Anuvada Shri Award for 2007 – 2008 by the Bharatiya Anuvada Parishad, New Delhi.

He has been associated with the Government of Sikkim as a Consultant for the setting up of the sculptures at Siddhesvara Dhama for over four years and has to his credit publication of nearly ninety books including ancient India art various regional Ramayanas and Puranas.

Volume 1 

Contents 

Chapter – 1	Benediction, a conversation between Saunaka-Ugravasrava, Janamejaya’s request to listen to the story of the people of Vrsni dynasty, besides the details about creation	1
Chapter – 2	The dynasties of Svyambhuva Manu, and birth of Daksa Prajapati	6
Chapter – 3	Expansion of creation, Naradas induces Daksa’s sons towards detachment, progeny of the sixty daughters of Daksa and their Progeny	11
Chapter-4	The story of Prthu, distribution of the country and establishment of Dikpalas	23
Chapter- 5	The story of Prthu, cruelty of Vena and his destruction, birth of Prthu	26
Chapter- 6	The story of Prthu – continued. Yielding of milk of the earth goddess.	31
Chapter-7	Description of Manvantaras, Manu, Gods and Rsis	36
Chapter-8	Four yugas, Manvantaras, the day of Brahma and the description of Varsa	42
Chapter-9	Vaivasvata Manu Birth of Yama-Yami, Yamuna, Asvanikumaras and Saturn	46
Chapter- 10	Description of the Descendents of Vaivasvata Manu and birth of Pururava.	52
Chapter- 11	The story of Dhundhumari	55
Chapter-12	Description of Dhundhu Vansa and birth of Galava	60
Chapter-13	The story of Triiaitku, and birth of Hariscandra	62
Chapter-14	Birth of Sagara and digging of the ocean with the efforts of the sons of Sagara.	65
Chapter – 15	Description of Solar dynasty	68
Chapter – 16	Performing. of Sraddha of his father by Janamejaya etc.	71
Chapter – 17	Pitrkalpa, a conversation between Bhisma and Markandeya besides Markandeya and Sanatkumara	75
Chapter – 18	Discussion between Markandeya and Sanatkurnara, on ganas, lokas, Sakti and unmarried girls, besided achieving of the divine sight by Markandeya	79
Chapter – 19	Pitrkalpa, story of the sons of Baradvaja – fate of the people fallen from yoga and conclusion of the discussion between Sanatkumara and Markandeya	86
Chapter – 20	Dynasties of Brahmadatta and Urgayudha – narrating Sukra and, the adorable sparrow.	88
Chapter – 21	Glory of Sriiddha as spoken by Markandeya – achieving of redemption by the sons of Kausika	100
Chapter – 22	Pitrkalpa – pronouncing of curse by the bird Sucipaka, on three birds and the bird Sumana, freed them of the curse.	104
Chapter – 23	Birth of the swans as the king Brahmadatta in the city of Karnpilya and the four swans achieved beatitude, with the permission of their father.	105
Chapter – 24	Birth of Vibhraja as son of Brahmadatta, the displeasure of the queen Sannati, reciting of a verse by a Brahmana, which revived the memories of the earlier birth of the king.	109
Chapter – 25	Origin of the moon, the Rajasuya yajna, fight between gods and demons and birth of Budha.	112
Chapter – 26	The story of the king Pururava and his dynasty, the creation of Tretagni and his visit to the country of the Gandharvas.	116
Chapter – 27	Description of the family of Amavasu – the second son of Pururava and birth of Visvamitra and Parasara	120
Chapter – 28	Story of the king Raji and his sons, re-establishment of Indra after his fall.	125
Chapter – 29	Description of the race of Anena, Incarnation’ of Dhamantri as son of Kasiraja Dharma, tale of Divodasa	129
Chapter – 30	Description of the race of Nahusa and Yayati	136
Chapter – 31	Family traditions of Piiru	140
Chapter – 32	Tradition of Rchasu under Puru dynasty-besides Ajamidha vamsa, Pancala, Soma, Kaurava varnsa etc.	145
Chapter – 33	Description of Yaduvansa, birth of Kartavirya and story of all the five sons of Yayati	153
Chapter – 34	Description of Vrsni-dynasty, including Akrura, Vasudeva, Kunti, Satyaki, Carudesna, Ekalavya, and others	159
Chapter – 35	The incarnation of Sri Krsna and the birth of his other brothers and sisters, besides of Kalayavana.	162
Chapter – 36	Description of Krista dynasty, exchange of gotra of Ksatriyas with that of the priest	164
Chapter – 37	The glory of Babhruvamsa	167
Chapter – 38	The glory of the Bhajamana race and the story of Syamantaka gem	170
Chapter – 39	The killing of Prasanna, Satrajit and Satadhanva, due to Syamantaka gem, handing over of the gem by Akriira Krsna and his returning it to Akira	175
Chapter – 40	Details of the Varaha, Nrsimha, Parasurama, Sri Krsna, and other incarnations of Visnu	178
Chapter – 41	Description of the incarnation of Vishnu	185
Chapter – 42	The divinity of Lord Visnu and battle with Tarakasura	200
Chapter – 43	Description of the Daityas, getting ready for war	204
Chapter – 44	The wonderful war of Taraka-Maya and preparation of the gods for waging the war	207
Chapter – 45	The battle between gods and demons, besides the origin of Aurava fire	212
Chapter – 46	Indra prays to the moon, killing of Daityas by moon and Varuna, appearing of Maya Danava and Kalanerni in the battle	219
Chapter – 47	Kalanerni’s glory in the battleground	225
Chapter – 48	End of Kalanemi	230
Chapter – 49	Lord Visnu honored in Visnu Loka	237
Chapter – 50	The god’s approach lord Visnu during his sleep	240
Chapter – 51	Brahma apprises Visnu of the deplorable condition of the earth and persuades him to lesson the earth’s burden	245
Chapter – 52	Meeting of the gods at Meru mountain and prayer of the earth for the removal of her burden	248
Chapter – 53	The partial incarnation of gods at the command of Brahma	253
Chapter – 54	Narada’s prayer to Visnu to incarnate on earth	260
Chapter – 55	Brahma’s advice to Visnu for incarnating on earth	267