Chapter 1

Salvation of Indradyumna

After making obeisance to the inscrutable Lord Visnu who has assumed the form of Kurma'^ (a divine tortoise), I shall recount that Purina^ narrated by the Creator of the Universe.

181 shlokas · 126 in scripture

Chapter 2

The Righteous Duties of Castes and Stages in Life

O sages, all of you listen to what has been enquired of me by you, for the welfare of the Universe. It has already been narrated by me to Indradyumna, when I had been asked by him.

164 shlokas · 108 in scripture

Chapter 3

The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes.

O Lord, the castes have been enumerated as four by your holy Lordship, so also the stages of life. Be pleased now to elucidate the order of the stages of life^ {asramas) to us.

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Chapter 4

Description of Creation by Means of Prakrti.^

After hearing the whole procedure regarding the stages in life, the sages were delighted in their heart. After paying obeisance to Hrsikesa (Lord Kurma), they spoke these words. The sages submitted :

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Chapter 5

Calculation ofTime.^

Because he is not born out of any prior person he is called Svayambhu (self-born). 2-3a. Since he is the goal of men, he is called J^drdyana. Because he is remover of Saifisdra, he is Hara. He is

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Chapter 6

The Uplift of the Earth by Vism-Vardha.

Formerly, there was nothing but one single vast sheet of water,2 a terrible ocean full of darkness, without any divi¬ sion and devoid of wind. Nothing was known at that time.

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Chapter 7

The Description of Creation,^

While he (god Brahma) was pondering over the creation at the beginning of the Kalpa, as before, the creation without the antecedence of Buddki (intellect) ^ manifested itself. It was full of darkness.

98 shlokas · 66 in scripture

Chapter 8

The Mukhyddi Creation : Progeny of Svdyambhuva Manu and Daksdk

Thus, the living beings, both mobile and immobile were created. But they, the created beings, did not multiply, in spite of his intelligent activity. God Brahma became enve¬ loped in gloom and he was extremely miserable and sorry. Thereupon he applied his intellect for deciding the real cause of the matter (of their failure).

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Chapter 9

Manifestation of the Lotus-Bom Deity — Brahma^

O Janardana, the creation of Mukhya etc. has been described by you. Now, it behoves you to dispel our doubts.

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Chapter 10

The Creation by Rudra)-

When Mahesvara departed, god Brahma, the grand- sire of the world, once again resorted to the self-same lotus grow¬ ing out of the umbilical region of Lord Visnu.

105 shlokas · 88 in scripture

Chapter 11

The Incarnation of the Goddess

After creating Marici and others, god Brahma the grand-sire of the world and the Lord of Devas performed very severe penance, along with his mind-born sons.

482 shlokas · 336 in scripture

Chapter 12

The glory of the Goddess Parvati {One Thousand Epithets of the Goddess)^

On hearing what had been related by Visnu in the form of a Tortoise, the sages bowed down again to Hari and asked.

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Chapter 13

The Progeny of Dakfa's Daughters^ {Khyati and others)

Laksmi, the beloved of Narayana, was born of Khyati and Bhrgu. Their sons Lords Dhatr and Vidhatr were the auspicious (blessed) sons-in-law of Meru.

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Chapter 14

Chapter 14

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Chapter 15

Destruction of Dak$a's Sacrifice MaimUeyas ( The residents of Naimi^a forest) said :

“O Suta, narrate in detail the origin of Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas, serpents and the Raksasas in Vaivasvata Manvantara.

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Chapter 16

Description of the Families of Dakfa’s Daughters^

Formerly Daksa was directed by the self-born lord thus, “Create the subjects”. He then created Devas, Gandharvas, sages, Asuras and serpents.

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Chapter 17

The Story of Trivikrama}

When Andhaka was curbed and restrained, the power¬ ful son of the noble-souled Prahlada, named Virocana, became the king.

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Chapter 18

Description of the race of KaSyapa}-

Bali had a hundred sons of great strength and exploits. The chief among them was one of great strength and brilliance named Bana.

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Chapter 19

The narrative of the dynasties of sages'^

After begetting these sons, Kasyapadesirous of (more) sons, performed an austere penance for the continuity of progeny.

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Chapter 20

The glorification of the Royal Dynasties^

They were Sarhjna, Rajni, Prabha, and Ghaya. Now know (the names of) sons. Sarhjna, the daughter of Tvastr, bore to the Sun-god the excellent Manu.

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Chapter 21

Description of the race of Iksvdku^

The son of the king viz.—^Tridhanvan protected the country righteously. His son was a scholar well known as Tray- yaruna.

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Chapter 22

Description of the Lunar Race^

King Pururavas, the son of Ila, ruled over the king¬ dom. He had six sons whose brilliance was equal to thatof Indra.

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Chapter 23

The Narrative of the race of Jayadhvaja

Jayadhvaja’s son was Talajangha. He had a hundred sons. They were also called Talajanghas.

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Chapter 24

The Description of the Dynasty of Tadu^ —the Race of Kro}tu S uta said :

“Krostu had an only son who was well-known as. Vajravan. His son was Santi whose son was Kusika.

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Chapter 25

Krsna’s Performance of Penance^

For the sake of a son, the holy lord Purusottama, the ruler of sense organs, the storehouse of penance, performed a severe penance.

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Chapter 26

Chapter 26

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Chapter 27

Kr^ria's Return to His Abode—Description of the Royal Dynasties Concluded

Thereafter, Krsna who secured boons from Mahesvara, begot of Jambavatl his excellent son Samba^ of noble soul.

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Chapter 28

Chapter 28

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Chapter 29

Chapter 29

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Chapter 30

The Nature of Kali Yuga

In Kali age,'^ men who are always agitated by the attribute of Tamas, commit delusion, malice and destruction of saintly men and ascetics.

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Chapter 31

The Glory of Varanasi'-

We are eager to hear what the highly intelligent sage Krsna Dvaipayana did after arriving at the divine city of Varanasi.

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Chapter 32

The greatness of Varanasi — The Glory of Orhkarehara and Krttivdseivara Lingas^ S uta said :

The intelligent preceptor, sage Dvaipayana, surrounded, by his disciples, went over to the splendid and huge Lihga Othkara that bestows salvation.

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Chapter 33

The greatness of KapardUvara

After addressing the sages, the intelligent sage Vyasa went to see Kapardisvara, that unchanging Lihga of the trident¬ bearing lord.

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Chapter 34

The glory of Varanasi'. The Greatness of Madhyame^vard?- SSta said :

After staying near Kapardisa for many years, the holy sage went to see Madhyamesa.

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Chapter 35

Description of Various Tirlhas^ : The glory of Varanasi concluded

Thereafter, the holy sage Vy^a, accompanied by his disciples, the chief of whom was Jaimini, went to all these secret holy places and shrines (as mentioned below).

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Chapter 36

Description of the greatness of Prayaga

The greatness of Avimukta has been precisely recount¬ ed by you. O sage of holy vows, narrate now the greatness of Prayaga^ to us.

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Chapter 37

Glory of Praydga : The Procedure of Pilgrimage Markatideya said :

O dear one, I shall tell you the order and procedure of pilgrimage to the holy centres according to the injunctions of sages. I shall tell you according to what I have seen and heard.

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Chapter 38

Glory of the holy Rnamocana Markandeya continued :

In the month of Magha (Jan-Feb.), sixty six thousand Tirthas go over to the confluence of Gahga and Yamuna.^

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Chapter 39

The Glorification of Prayaga : Yamuna and the Tirthas thereof Markandeya said :

Here flows along the highly blessed Yamuna, the goddess, daughter of the Sun-god, the most famous river in the three worlds.

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Chapter 40

The arrangement of the Universe

The sages of the Naimisa forest who were thus addressed, asked Suta, the great sage, about the definite theories on the position of the Earth^ (planets, etc.)

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Chapter 41

The Seven Worlds : The Planetary System : The Solar CharioP

O excellent Brahmanas, henceforth, I shall briefly relate the magnitude of this set of three worlds. It is impossible to describe it in detail.

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Chapter 42

Functions o f Twelve Adityas

The lord’s chariot is occupied by Devas, Adityas, sages, Gandharvas, heavenly nymphs, Yaksas, serpents and Raksasas.

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Chapter 43

Bhuvana Koia?- The functions of the Seven Rays of the Sun ; The chariots of Planets

Thus Mahadeva, the grandsire of the universe, the lord of Devas, the embodiment of Time and the Supreme Ruler controls time.

98 shlokas · 39 in scripture

Chapter 44

Arrangement of the Universe '.Descriptions of the Upper worlds and the nether worlds

Maharloka is above the Pole Star. It extends to a crore of Yojanas. O leading Brahmanas, the persons inhabiting there are entitled to the life span of a Kalpa.

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Chapter 45

Bhuvana Koia : Description of Seven Dvipas : Mountain ranges

This extensive cosmic egg consisting of fourteen parts has been described to you so far. Henceforth, I shall describe to you in detail the complete account of this earth.

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Chapter 46

The abodes of Guardians of the world

On the mountain Meru, there is the well-known great city of Brahma, the lord of Devas. It is fourteen thousand Yojanas in extent.

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Chapter 47

Ketumala and other sub-continents

In the sub-continent Ketumala,® men are (black like) crows and have Jackfruit for their diet. Women have the lustre of the petals of the lotus. They live for ten thousand years.

69 shlokas · 69 in scripture

Chapter 48

The description of JambudmpcP Silt a said :

The crystalline mansion of Paramesthin the lord of Devas, is on the beautiful great peak of the mountain Hemakuta.

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Chapter 49

The description of Plakfa and other continents

The island-continent called Plaksa,^ twice in extent to that of Jambudvipa, stands surrounding the milky ocean (rather—thebrimy sea).*

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Chapter 50

The description of Pufkaradvipa Siita said :

The milk ocean extending to twice the size of Saka- dvipa encircles it. The continent Puskaradvipa^ rests in it.

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Chapter 51

The description of Marwantaras: Lord Visnu’s glory {his four manifestations)

O Suta, tell us about all Manvantaras,^ both past and future. Mention about Vyasa (the arranger of the Vedas) in the Dvapara Yuga. In the Kali age, how many were the disciples, the expounders of Dharma (Virtue) and Artha, of this intelligent Lord, the god of gods who arranged the branches of the Vedas, (v.l. the incarnations of god Siva, the god of gods, for the establishment of Dharma in the Kali age). How many disciples did the Lord of Devas (i.e. Vyasa) have in the Kali age ? O Suta, it behoves you to recount all these things succinctly. Suta said :

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