THE VAYU PURANA

CONTENTS PART ONE Preface vii Abbreviations xiii Introduction xv Chapters 1. Summary of Contents 1 2. A Sacrificial Session of Twelve Years 22 3. Origin of Creation 26 4. Origin of Creation (continued) 29 5. Origin of Creation (continued) 37 6. Origin of Creation (continued) 42 7. Transition between two Yugas (Ages) 51 8. Four Stages of Life 58 9. Creation of Devas and Others 76 10. Manvantaras 86 11. Pasupata Yoga 93 12. Evil Portents and Calamities in Yoga 98 13. Supreme Power of Yoga 102 14. Pasupata Yoga 104 15. Pasupata Yoga (continued) 108 16. Purity and Conduct of Life 110 17. Attainment of the Ultimate State of Life 112 18. Procedure of Expiation for Recluses (Sannyasins) 113 19. Evil Omens Foreboding Death 116 20. The Characteristics of Attainment of Omkara 119 21. Review of Kalpas 123 22. Number of Kalpas 130 23. Incarnations of Mahesvara 133 24. Hym to Siva 150 25. Birth and Death of Madhu and Kaitabha 164 26. Origin of Sounds 171 27. Names and Bodies of the Great Lord 176 28. Families of Sages 182 29. Progeny of Agni 185 30. The Curse of Daksa 191 31. The Race of Devas 218 32. Characteristics of Yugas 224 33. Progeny of Svayambhuva Manu 230 34. Geography of Jambudvipa 236 35. Jambudvipa (continued) 245 36. (Geographical) Arrangement of the World 249 37. Arrangement of the World (Valleys and Lakes) 252 38. Valleys between Mountains 255 39. Abodes of Devas 261 40. Boundary and the Limits of Mount Devakuta 265 41. Description of Kailasa 267 42. The Divine Rivers 274 43. Description of Bhadrasva 280 44. Description of Ketumala 283 45. Description of Bharatavarsa 285 46. Description of Kimpurusa Varsa 301 47. Descent of the Ganga 304 48. Countries of the Jambudvipa 311 49. Description of Plaksa Dvipa and other Dvipas 314 50. The Nether-worlds: Manifestation of the Luminaries 329 51. Movements of the Luminary Bodies 347 52. Movement of Dhruva 355 53. Arrangement of Luminaries 362 54. Hymn to Nilakantha 373 55. Hymn to the Linga of Siva 383 56. Description of Pitrs 388 57. The Cycle of Yugas: Their Characteristics 396 58. Description of the Four Yugas 408 59. Yugas and Classes of People: Lineage of Sages 419 60. Description of Holy Places: The Death of Sakalya 429 61. Lineage of Prajapati 436 PART TWO Preface vii Abbreviations xiii Chapters 1. Manavntaras: The Milking of the Earth 457 2. The Dynasty of Prthu 474 3. Vaivasvata Manvantara: The Marica Creation 479 4. The Race of Prajapati: Rebirth of Seven Sages 483 5. The Race of Dharma 497 6. Curse to Jaya Gods: Nrsimha Incarnation: Race of Hiranyakasipu: Birth of Marut-gods 510 7. The Race of Kasyapa: Danu's Progeny 522 8. Dynastics Descended from Kasyapa 525 9. The Race of Sages 553 10. The Procedure of Sraddha 561 11. The Birth of Skanda: Rules Prescribed for Sraddha 569 12. The Procedure of Sraddha (Continued) 580 13. The Procedure of Sraddha Performance (Continued) 584 14. The Procedure Regarding Performance of Sraddha: The Five Mahayajnas 591 15. Sacred Places for Sraddha 596 16. The Sraddha Ritual: Purificatory Rites 610 17. The Test for Eligibility of a Brahmana (for Sraddha Invitation) 618 18. Benefit Derived from Charitable Gifts 627 19. Benefit of Sraddha Performance on Various Tithis 633 20. Benefit of Sraddha Performance under Different Constellations 636 21. Miscellaneous Topics: Qualifications of a Brahmana for Sraddha-gifts: Merits of Performance of Sraddha at the Sacred Places 638 22. The Race of Varuna: Birth of Asvin-gods 649 23. Creative Activity of Manus: The Story of Sudyumna 656 24. A Dissertation on Music: The Definition of Murcchana 659 25. The Science of Music: The Embellishments 666 26. The Iksvaku Dynasty 672 27. The Nimi Dynasty 691 28. The Nativity of Soma and Saumya (Budha) 694 29. The Lunar Race: The Amavasu Dynasty 698 30. The Origin of Dhanvantari; Varanasi Cursed; Raji's Exploits 708 31. The Story of Yayati 717 32. The Birth of Kartavirya 727 33. The Dynasty of Jyamagha and Vrsni 732 34. The Race of Vrsni 737 35. Wars between Suras and Asuras: Bhrgu cures Visnu: The Eulogy of Sambhu by Sukra758 36. Glorification of Visnu's Greatness 778 37. Royal Dynasties 789 38. The Manvantaras and Dissolution of the Universe 827 39. Worlds from Maharloka to Siva's City 846 40. Dissolution of the Universe 877 41. Recreation of the Cosmic Egg 891 42. Dissipation of Vysa's Doubts 899 43. The Greatness of Gaya 910 44. The Glory of Gaya: The Story of Gayasura 916 45. Gayamahatmya (Contd.): The Story of Sila 924 46. Gayamahatmya (Contd.): Sila-tirtha and Other Sacred Spots 929 47. Gayamahatmya (Contd.): The Glory of Adigadadhara 942 48. Procedure of the Pilgrimage to Gaya 947 49. Procedure of the Pilgrimage at Gaya (Continued) 954 50. The Glory of Gaya 965 INDEX 973