Translation not available.

Translation not available.

Translation not available.

Sūta said:: O brahmins, the number of verses in this Purāṇa is eleven thousand. I shall succinctly narrate it now, as it has not been heard by me in detail.

Sūta said:: When the Purāṇas were abridged into four hundred thousand verses by Krṣṇa Dvaipāyana, the Liṅga was abridged in eleven thousand verses.

Sūta said:: At the outset the creation of Pradhāna is mentioned, then the primary and secondary creation and then the origin of the cosmic egg, enveloped by eight sheaths.[1]

Sūta said:: Then, the evolution of Brahmā through the cosmic egg, by the force of rajoguṇa, the evolution of Viṣṇu and Rudra, and Viṣṇu’s lying down in the waters.

Sūta said:: The creation of the Prajāpatis; the uplifting of the earth, the duration of Brahma’s day and night, the reckoning of his whole span of life.

Sūta said:: The savana of Brahmā; his yuga and kalpa; the divine and human years; the years of sages, Dhruva and Pitṛs; the nativity of Pitṛs; the duties of the people in their respective stages of life; the decrease of population in the Universe; the manifestation of the creative energy.

Sūta said:: The savana of Brahmā; his yuga and kalpa; the divine and human years; the years of sages, Dhruva and Pitṛs; the nativity of Pitṛs; the duties of the people in their respective stages of life; the decrease of population in the Universe; the manifestation of the creative energy.

Sūta said:: The male and female nature of energy; the creation of Brahmā; the birth of twins; the eight names of Rudra in the course of weeping.

Sūta said:: The dispute between Brahmā and Viṣṇu; the manifestation of the Liṅga once again; the penance of Śilāda; the vision of Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra.

Sūta said:: His request for a son not born through a womb; the impossibility of getting such a son, the dialogue between Śilāda and Indra; the birth of Brahmā from a lotus; the manifestation of Bhava in the Kali age; the preceptor and the disciple; the incarnations of Vyāsa; the kalpas and the manvantaras.

Sūta said:: His request for a son not born through a womb; the impossibility of getting such a son, the dialogue between Śilāda and Indra; the birth of Brahmā from a lotus; the manifestation of Bhava in the Kali age; the preceptor and the disciple; the incarnations of Vyāsa; the kalpas and the manvantaras.

Sūta said:: The nature of the kalpas and their different names; Viṣṇu in the form of Varāha in the Vārāhakalpa—meghavāhana; the grandeur and majesty of Rudra; the manifestation once again of Liṅga in the midst of sages; the propitiation of Liṅga; the injunctions regarding ablution; the nature of purity; the glory of Vārāṇasī and of the holy centres; the shrines of Rudra and Viṣṇu on the earth as well as in the firmament.

Sūta said:: The nature of the kalpas and their different names; Viṣṇu in the form of Varāha in the Vārāhakalpa—meghavāhana; the grandeur and majesty of Rudra; the manifestation once again of Liṅga in the midst of sages; the propitiation of Liṅga; the injunctions regarding ablution; the nature of purity; the glory of Vārāṇasī and of the holy centres; the shrines of Rudra and Viṣṇu on the earth as well as in the firmament.

Sūta said:: The nature of the kalpas and their different names; Viṣṇu in the form of Varāha in the Vārāhakalpa—meghavāhana; the grandeur and majesty of Rudra; the manifestation once again of Liṅga in the midst of sages; the propitiation of Liṅga; the injunctions regarding ablution; the nature of purity; the glory of Vārāṇasī and of the holy centres; the shrines of Rudra and Viṣṇu on the earth as well as in the firmament.

Sūta said:: The nature of the kalpas and their different names; Viṣṇu in the form of Varāha in the Vārāhakalpa—meghavāhana; the grandeur and majesty of Rudra; the manifestation once again of Liṅga in the midst of sages; the propitiation of Liṅga; the injunctions regarding ablution; the nature of purity; the glory of Vārāṇasī and of the holy centres; the shrines of Rudra and Viṣṇu on the earth as well as in the firmament.

Sūta said:: The fall of Dakṣa on to the earth in the Svārociṣa manvantara; the curse on Dakṣa and his release from the curse.

Sūta said:: The description of Kailāsa; the yoga pertaining to Paśupati (Śiva); the extent of the four yugas; the detail of the duties assigned to each yuga.

Sūta said:: The magnitude of the interval between the yugas; the activities of Rudra during these intervals; his residence in the cremation ground; the origin of the digit of the moon on his forehead; his marriage; birth of his sons; the fear of the people in anticipation of destruction due to excessive indulgence in sexual intercourse.

Sūta said:: The magnitude of the interval between the yugas; the activities of Rudra during these intervals; his residence in the cremation ground; the origin of the digit of the moon on his forehead; his marriage; birth of his sons; the fear of the people in anticipation of destruction due to excessive indulgence in sexual intercourse.

Sūta said:: The curse pronounced by Satī on the Devas and on Viṣṇu who was, later on, absolved by Rudra; Rudra’s discharge of semen; the birth of Kārttikeya; the merit of performing ablution to the Liṅgas during the eclipse; the dispute between Kṣupa and Dadhīca as also between Dadhīca and Viṣṇu.

Sūta said:: The curse pronounced by Satī on the Devas and on Viṣṇu who was, later on, absolved by Rudra; Rudra’s discharge of semen; the birth of Kārttikeya; the merit of performing ablution to the Liṅgas during the eclipse; the dispute between Kṣupa and Dadhīca as also between Dadhīca and Viṣṇu.

Sūta said:: The incarnation of the trident-bearing lord Nandi; the narrative of the chaste lady; the discussion about the individual soul, and avidyā or ignorance; the nature of worldly activities and of perfect knowledge; the characteristics of those entitled to liberation; the birth of Vasiṣṭha’s sons; the description of the families of the great sages in the spiritual lineage of Vasiṣṭha; the devouring of Śakti by a demon-king due to the wickedness of Viśvāmitra; the capture of the divine cow Surabhi.

Sūta said:: The incarnation of the trident-bearing lord Nandi; the narrative of the chaste lady; the discussion about the individual soul, and avidyā or ignorance; the nature of worldly activities and of perfect knowledge; the characteristics of those entitled to liberation; the birth of Vasiṣṭha’s sons; the description of the families of the great sages in the spiritual lineage of Vasiṣṭha; the devouring of Śakti by a demon-king due to the wickedness of Viśvāmitra; the capture of the divine cow Surabhi.

Sūta said:: The incarnation of the trident-bearing lord Nandi; the narrative of the chaste lady; the discussion about the individual soul, and avidyā or ignorance; the nature of worldly activities and of perfect knowledge; the characteristics of those entitled to liberation; the birth of Vasiṣṭha’s sons; the description of the families of the great sages in the spiritual lineage of Vasiṣṭha; the devouring of Śakti by a demon-king due to the wickedness of Viśvāmitra; the capture of the divine cow Surabhi.

Sūta said:: Vasiṣṭha’s grief over the loss of his son; lamentations of Arundhatī; the course of their daughter-in-law; the words of the child in the womb; the birth of Parāśara, Vyāsa and Śuka; the destruction of the Rākṣasas by Śakti’s son Parāśara.

Sūta said:: Vasiṣṭha’s grief over the loss of his son; lamentations of Arundhatī; the course of their daughter-in-law; the words of the child in the womb; the birth of Parāśara, Vyāsa and Śuka; the destruction of the Rākṣasas by Śakti’s son Parāśara.

Sūta said:: The truth about the deities; the perfect knowledge as the grace of the lord; the composition of the Purāṇas at the behest of the preceptor Pulastya; the magnitude of the worlds; the movement of the planets and luminaries; rules of procedure about Śrāddha for living ones; those who deserve Śrāddhas; the description of Śrāddha.

Sūta said:: The truth about the deities; the perfect knowledge as the grace of the lord; the composition of the Purāṇas at the behest of the preceptor Pulastya; the magnitude of the worlds; the movement of the planets and luminaries; rules of procedure about Śrāddha for living ones; those who deserve Śrāddhas; the description of Śrāddha.

Sūta said:: Rules of procedure about Nāndīśrāddha; the method of studying the Vedas; the efficacy of the five yajñas and the rules of their performance.

Sūta said:: The conduct and behaviour of women during their menstrual period; the birth of excellent sons due to that conduct; the rules about sexual intercourse in regard to persons of different castes in due order.

Sūta said:: The injunctions regarding what should and what should not be eaten in respect of the people of all castes; the expiatory rites for the general as well as for the particular sins severally and in detail.

Sūta said:: The form and features of the hells; crime and punishment; signs of men destined to be heavenly or hellish in later births.

Sūta said:: Kinds of charitable gifts; the city of the King of the Dead; ritualistic detail of the five-syllabled mantra; the greatness of Rudra.

Sūta said:: The fight between Vṛtra and Indra; the suppression of Vṛtra in his universal form; the dialogue between Sveta and Mṛtyu; the destruction of Kala on behalf of Śveta.

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Sūta said:: The birth of Saṃkarṣaṇa; the rebirth of Caṇḍikā; the birth of Kṛṣṇa among the Yadus.

Sūta said:: The wickedness of Kaṃsa, the uncle of Kṛṣṇa; Kṛṣṇa’s sporting activity during infancy; his worship of Siva for obtaining sons.

Sūta said:: The origin of water from the skull of Śiva in the form of Viṣṇu; Viṣṇu’s propitiation of Rudra for lessening the burden of the earth.

Sūta said:: The milking of the earth, at the outset, by Pṛthu the son of Vena; the curse of Bhṛgu incurred by Viṣṇu in the course of conflict between Devas and Asuras.

Sūta said:: In his incarnation, as Kṛṣṇa his residence in Dvārakā; the curse of Durvāsas as conducive to his welfare; the curse on Yādavas for their destruction; the growth of reeds and javelins.

Sūta said:: In his incarnation, as Kṛṣṇa his residence in Dvārakā; the curse of Durvāsas as conducive to his welfare; the curse on Yādavas for their destruction; the growth of reeds and javelins.

Sūta said:: The annihilation of the Yādavas in mutual quarrel by using reeds and Kṛṣṇa annihilating his tribe sportively through that very reed.

Sūta said:: Kṛṣṇa’s voluntary departure from this world; the perfect knowledge of Brahman and salvation in detail.

Sūta said:: The subjugation of Andhaka, Agni and Dakṣa who had assumed the forms of Indra, elephant, and the deer; the description, of the primordial Brahman; subjugation of Kama by Śiva, and of the enemies of devas, of the daitya Halāhala in particular; the destruction of Jālandhara and the origin of Sudarśana discus.

Sūta said:: The subjugation of Andhaka, Agni and Dakṣa who had assumed the forms of Indra, elephant, and the deer; the description, of the primordial Brahman; subjugation of Kama by Śiva, and of the enemies of devas, of the daitya Halāhala in particular; the destruction of Jālandhara and the origin of Sudarśana discus.

Sūta said:: The acquisition of that excellent weapon by Viṣṇu; Rudra’s activities; thousands of his adventures; the activities and the powers of Viṣṇu, Brahmā and Indra; the description of the world of Śiva.

Sūta said:: The acquisition of that excellent weapon by Viṣṇu; Rudra’s activities; thousands of his adventures; the activities and the powers of Viṣṇu, Brahmā and Indra; the description of the world of Śiva.

Sūta said:: Rudra’s world on the earth; Hāṭakeśvara in the nether worlds; the nature of austerities; the power of brahmins; Liṅga’s excellence over all other images of deities—all these are recorded in their proper order and in detail[2] in this Purāṇa. He who after knowing the gist recites it, is liberated from sins. He goes to the world of Brahmā.

Sūta said:: Rudra’s world on the earth; Hāṭakeśvara in the nether worlds; the nature of austerities; the power of brahmins; Liṅga’s excellence over all other images of deities—all these are recorded in their proper order and in detail[2] in this Purāṇa. He who after knowing the gist recites it, is liberated from sins. He goes to the world of Brahmā.

Sūta said:: Rudra’s world on the earth; Hāṭakeśvara in the nether worlds; the nature of austerities; the power of brahmins; Liṅga’s excellence over all other images of deities—all these are recorded in their proper order and in detail[2] in this Purāṇa. He who after knowing the gist recites it, is liberated from sins. He goes to the world of Brahmā.