Vishnupurana 1.1

1.1.0x1

jitaṃ te puṇḍarīkākṣa namas te viśvabhāvana
namas te 'stu hṛṣīkeśa mahāpuruṣa pūrvaja //

OM! GLORY TO VÁSUDEVA.--Victory be to thee, Puńd́aríkáksha;

adoration be to thee, Víswabhávana; glory be to thee, Hrishikeśa, Mahápurusha, and Púrvaja.

1.1.0x2

sadakṣaraṃ brahma ya īśvaraḥ pumān guṇormisṛṣṭisthitikālasaṃlayaḥ
pradhānabuddhyādijagatprapañcasūḥ sa no 'stu viṣṇur matibhūtimuktidaḥ //

May that Vishńu, who is the existent, imperishable, Brahma, who is Íśwara, who is spirit; who with the three qualities is the cause of creation, preservation, and destruction; who is the parent of nature, intellect, and the other ingredients of the universe; be to us the bestower of understanding, wealth, and final emancipation.

1.1.0x3

praṇamya viṣṇuṃ viśveśaṃ brahmādīn praṇipatya ca
guruṃ praṇamya vakṣyāmi purāṇaṃ vedasaṃmitam //

Having adored Vishńu, the lord of all, and paid reverence to Brahmá and the rest; having also saluted the spiritual preceptor; I will narrate a Puráńa equal in sanctity to the Vedas.

1.1.0x4

itihāsapurāṇajñaṃ vedavedāṅgapāragam
dharmaśāstrāditattvajñaṃ vasiṣṭhatanayātmajam //

Maitreya, having saluted him reverentially, thus addressed Paráśara, the excellent sage, the grandson of Vaśisht́ha, who was versed in traditional history, and the Puráńas; who was acquainted with the Vedas, and the branches of science dependent upon them; and skilled in law and philosophy; and who had performed the morning rites of devotion.

1.1.0x4.p1

svasti śrīgurugaṇeśabhāratīsvarūpiṇe śrīnārāyaṇāya namaḥ |

Hail! Reverence to Śrī Nārāyaṇa, who embodies the revered Guru, Gaṇeśa, and Bhāratī.

1.1.0x5

samastacetobhimatārthasiddhaye gaṇaiḥ surāṇām api saṃstutau yaḥ
aśeṣavighnendhanajātavedasaṃ namāmi taṃ śuddhadhiyaṃ gaṇādhipam //

For the accomplishment of every desired goal of the mind, who is praised even by hosts of gods, / I bow to that pure-minded lord of the gaṇas, the fire [consuming] the fuel of all obstacles.

1.1.0x6

padmāsanaṃ padmasamānanaṃ ca padmasya yoniś caturānanaṃ ca
ṣaḍaṅgavedaiś ca vibhūṣitāṅgaṃ pitāmahaṃ taṃ praṇato 'smi nityam //

Seated on a lotus, lotus-faced, born from the lotus, and four-faced, / his limbs adorned with the six-limbed Vedas, I constantly bow to that Grandfather.

1.1.0x7

.... .... .... .tātmane [lacuna]
itihāsapurāṇānām ādikartre namo namaḥ //

[…] / Homage, homage to the first author of the Itihāsas and Purāṇas.

1.1.0x8

kṛtvā tan narasiṃharūpam atulaṃ lokatrayavyāpi yad vyālaṃ visphuṭacārukesarasaṭāsaṃghātaramyākṛtiḥ
vakṣo vajraśilāsamūhakaṭhinaṃ vistāri devadviṣo bhinnaṃ yena nakhair mudes tu bhagavān devaḥ sa vaḥ keśavaḥ //

Having assumed that peerless form of the man-lion that pervades the three worlds, fierce, lovely in form with its dense array of flared, beautiful manes, / by whose claws the broad chest of the enemy of the gods, hard as a mass of thunderbolt-rocks, was torn open—may that divine lord Keśava be for your joy.

1.1.0x8.p1

oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya śrīgaṇeśasarasvatībhyāṃ namaḥ |

Oṃ, reverence to the Blessed Lord Vāsudeva! Reverence to Śrī Gaṇeśa and Sarasvatī!

1.1.0x9x

jayati kamalodaravapuḥ kama[la]mukhaḥ kamalagarbhasaṃbhūtaḥ /
suranamitacaraṇakamalaḥ kamalāsanasaṃsthito brahmā //

Victorious is Brahmā, whose body is like the interior of a lotus, whose face is like a lotus, who is born from the womb of a lotus, / whose lotus-feet are bowed to by the gods, seated upon a lotus throne.

1.1.0x10x

jayati jalabhāragarbhitanilāmbudanīlavapuḥ /
mandaragiriparivartanaviṣamaśilālāñchano vibhuḥ //

Victorious is the all-pervading Lord, whose body is dark blue like a water-laden rain cloud, / marked by the jagged rocks from the churning of Mount Mandara.

1.1.0x11x

jayati śaśikhaṇḍamaṇḍitavikaṭajaṭāmukuṭasaṃkaṭalalāṭam /
sphuṭadaśanakiraṇavikasitamukhakamalacatuṣṭayaṃ śaṃbhoḥ //

Victorious is Śambhu’s group of four lotus-faces, opened by the rays of his visible teeth, / his narrow forehead crowned with a terrifying mass of matted hair adorned with the crescent moon.

1.1.0x11x.p1

śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ oṃ namo bhagavate śrīvāsudevāya |

Reverence to Śrī Gaṇeśa. Oṃ, reverence to the Blessed Lord Śrī Vāsudeva.

1.1.0x11x.p2

oṃ |

Oṃ.

1.1.0x11x.p3

oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya śrīgaṇeśasarasvatībhyāṃ namaḥ |

Oṃ, reverence to the Blessed Lord Vāsudeva! Reverence to Śrī Gaṇeśa and Sarasvatī!

1.1.0x11x.p4

oṃ |

Oṃ.

1.1.0x12

śuklāmbaradharaṃ viṣṇuṃ śaśivarṇaṃ caturbhujam
prasannavadanaṃ dhyāyet sarvavighnopaśāntaye //

One should meditate upon Viṣṇu, who wears white garments, is moon-colored, four-armed, / with a serene countenance, for the pacification of all obstacles.

1.1.0x13

agajānanapadmārkaṃ gajānanam aharniśam
anekadantaṃ bhaktānām ekadantam upāsmahe //

The sun to the lotus-face of the Mountain's daughter, the elephant-faced one, day and night, / who grants many desires to his devotees, the single-tusked one—we worship him.

1.1.0x14

yā kundendutuṣārahāradhavalā yā śubhravastrāvṛtā yā vīṇāvaradaṇḍamaṇḍitakarā yā śvetapadmāsana
ya brahmācyutaśaṃkaraprabhṛtibhir devaiḥ sadā pūjitā sā māṃ pātu sarasvatī bhagavatī niḥśeṣajāḍyāpahā //

She who is fair as the kunda flower, the moon, and a garland of snow, she who is draped in white garments, she whose hands are adorned with the excellent staff of the vīṇā, she who sits on a white lotus, / she who is ever worshipped by Brahmā, Acyuta, Śaṅkara, and the other gods—may that Blessed Lady Sarasvatī protect me, removing all dullness without remainder.

1.1.0x14.p1

oṃ |

Oṃ.

1.1.0x15x

yasmād idaṃ jagad ajāyata yatra tiṣṭhaty ante samastam idaṃ astam upaiti yatra /
tasmai namaḥ sadasadādivikalpaśūnya caitanyamātravapuṣe puruṣottamāya //

From whom this world was born, in whom it abides, and into whom all this dissolves at the end / —to that Puruṣottama, free from distinctions such as existence and non-existence, whose body is consciousness alone, reverence.

1.1.0x16x

tattvena yaś ca dadhadīśvaratatsvabhāva bhogāpavargatadupāyagatīr udāraḥ /
saṃdarśayan niramimīta purāṇaratnaṃ tasmai namo munivarāya parāśarāya //

And who, noble in mind, truly establishing the Lord, His nature, enjoyment, liberation, and the paths of the means thereto, / revealing them, composed this jewel of a Purāṇa—to that best of sages, Parāśara, reverence.

1.1.0x17

aṃśaiḥ ṣaḍbhiḥ samākīṇam aṅgair vedam ivāparam
purāṇaṃ vaiṣṇavaṃ cakre yas tam vande parāśaram //

Composed of six sections, like another Veda with its limbs, / who made the Vaiṣṇava Purāṇa—to that Parāśara I bow.

1.1.0x17.p1

oṃ śrīviṣṇave namaḥ |

Oṃ, reverence to Śrī Viṣṇu.

1.1.0x17.p2

śrīmahāgaṇapataye namaḥ |
avighnam astu |

Reverence to Śrī Mahāgaṇapati. / May there be no obstacle.

1.1.0x18

paṅkeruhākṣāya bhavauṣadhāya bhaktārtināśāya parāt parāya
tārkṣyādhirūḍhāya sukhapradāya akṣmīvarāhāya namaḥ parasmai //

To the lotus-eyed, the medicine for existence, the destroyer of devotees' distress, higher than the highest, / mounted upon Tārkṣya, the giver of happiness, the supreme Lakṣmīvarāha—reverence.

1.1.0x18.p1

hariḥ oṃ viṣṇupurāṇaṃ saṃputaṃ ārambhaṃ śubham astu avighnam astu śrīśriyai nmaḥ [namaḥ] śrīhayagrīvāya nmaḥ [namaḥ] śrīrāmacandrāya parasmai brahmaṇe nmaḥ [namaḥ] hariḥ oṃ avighnam astu |

Hariḥ oṃ. The Viṣṇupurāṇa collection begins. May there be auspiciousness. May there be no obstacle. Reverence to Śrī Śrī. Reverence to Śrī Hayagrīva. Reverence to Śrī Rāmacandra, the Supreme Brahman. Hariḥ oṃ. May there be no obstacle.

1.1.0x18.p2

śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ avighnena parisamāptir astu |

Reverence to Śrī Gaṇeśa. May there be completion without obstacle.

1.1.0x19

yasyāsīt prapitāmaho guṇanidher devaḥ purāṇo jagat sṛṣṭā yasya pitāmaho matimatāṃ śreṣṭho vasiṣṭhaḥ pitā
śaktir yasya jagaddhitāya bhagavān vyāso hariḥ putratāṃ yāto yasya parāśaraṃ tam atulam vandāmahe nirmalam //

Whose great-grandfather was the ancient god, the creator of the world, a treasure-house of virtues; whose grandfather was the foremost of the wise, Vasiṣṭha; whose father was Śakti; / and whose son, for the welfare of the world, was the blessed Lord Vyāsa, Hari himself—to that peerless, pure Parāśara we bow.

1.1.1

parāśaraṃ munivaraṃ kṛtapūrvāhṇikakriyam
maitreyaḥ paripapraccha praṇipatyābhivādya ca //

Maitreya, having bowed down and greeted the best of sages, Parāśara, / who had completed his morning rites, questioned him:

1.1.2

tvatto hi vedādhyayanam adhītam akhilaṃ guro
dharmaśāstrāṇi sarvāṇi vedāṅgāni yathākramam //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.3

tvatprasādān muniśreṣṭha mām anye nākṛtaśramam
vakṣyanti sarvaśāstreṣu prāyaśo ye 'pi vidviṣaḥ //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.4

so 'ham icchāmi dharmajña śrotuṃ tvatto yathā jagat
babhūva bhūyaś ca yathā mahābhāga bhaviṣyati //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.5

yanmayaṃ ca jagad brahman yataś caitac carācaram
līnam āsīd yathā yatra layam eṣyati yatra ca //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.6

yatpramāṇāni bhūtāni devādīnāṃ ca saṃbhavam
samudraparvatānāṃ ca saṃsthānaṃ ca yathā bhuvaḥ //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.7

sūryādīnāṃ ca saṃsthānaṃ pramāṇaṃ munisattama
devādīnāṃ tathā vaṃśān manūn manvantarāṇi ca //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.8

kalpān kalpavikalpāṃś ca caturyugavikalpitān
kalpāntasya svarūpaṃ ca yugadharmāṃś ca kṛtsnaśaḥ //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.9

devarṣipārthivānāṃ ca caritaṃ yan mahāmune
vedaśākhāpraṇayanaṃ yathāvad vyāsakartṛkam //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.10

dharmāṃś ca brāhmaṇādīnāṃ tathā cāśramavāsinām
śrotum icchāmy ahaṃ sarvaṃ tvatto vāsiṣṭhanandana //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.11

brahman prasādapravaṇaṃ kuruṣva mayi mānasam
yenāham etaj jānīyāṃ tvatprasādān mahāmune //

Maitreya said, Master! I have been instructed by you in the whole of the Vedas, and in the institutes of law and of sacred science: through your favour, other men, even though they be my foes, cannot accuse me of having been remiss in the acquirement of knowledge. I am now desirous, oh thou who art profound in piety! to hear from thee, how this world was, and how in future it will be? what is its substance, oh Brahman, and whence proceeded animate and inanimate things? into what has it been resolved, and into what will its dissolution again occur? how were the elements manifested? whence proceeded the gods and other beings? what are the situation and extent of the oceans and the mountains, the earth, the sun, and the planets? what are the families of the gods and others, the Menus, the periods called Manwantaras, those termed Kalpas, and their subdivisions, and the four ages: the events that happen at the close of a Kalpa, and the terminations of the several ages: the histories, oh great Muni, of the gods, the sages, and kings; and how the Vedas were divided into branches (or schools), after they had been arranged by Vyása: the duties of the Brahmans, and the other tribes, as well as of those who pass through the different orders of life? All these things I wish to hear from you, grandson of Vaśisht́ha. Incline thy thoughts benevolently towards me, that I may, through thy favour, be informed of all I desire to know.

1.1.12

parāśara uvāca:
sādhu maitreya dharmajña smārito 'smi purātanam
pituḥ pitā me bhagavān vasiṣṭho yad uvāca ha //

Paráśara replied, Well inquired, pious Maitreya. You recall to my recollection that which was of old narrated by my father's father, Vaśisht́ha. I had heard that my father had been devoured by a Rákshas employed by Viswámitra: violent anger seized me, and I commenced a sacrifice for the destruction of the Rákshasas: hundreds of them were reduced to ashes by the rite, when, as they were about to be entirely extirpated, my grandfather Vaśisht́ha thus spake to me: Enough, my child; let thy wrath be appeased: the Rákshasas are not culpable: thy father's death was the work of destiny. Anger is the passion of fools; it becometh not a wise man. By whom, it may be asked, is any one killed? Every man reaps the consequences of his own acts. Anger, my son, is the destruction of all that man obtains by arduous exertions, of fame, and of devout austerities; and prevents the attainment of heaven or of emancipation. The chief sages always shun wrath: he not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let no more of these unoffending spirits of darkness be consumed. Mercy is the might of the righteous.

1.1.13

viśvāmitraprayuktena rakṣasā bhakṣito mayā
śrutas tātas tataḥ krodho maitreyāsīn mamātulaḥ //

Paráśara replied, Well inquired, pious Maitreya. You recall to my recollection that which was of old narrated by my father's father, Vaśisht́ha. I had heard that my father had been devoured by a Rákshas employed by Viswámitra: violent anger seized me, and I commenced a sacrifice for the destruction of the Rákshasas: hundreds of them were reduced to ashes by the rite, when, as they were about to be entirely extirpated, my grandfather Vaśisht́ha thus spake to me: Enough, my child; let thy wrath be appeased: the Rákshasas are not culpable: thy father's death was the work of destiny. Anger is the passion of fools; it becometh not a wise man. By whom, it may be asked, is any one killed? Every man reaps the consequences of his own acts. Anger, my son, is the destruction of all that man obtains by arduous exertions, of fame, and of devout austerities; and prevents the attainment of heaven or of emancipation. The chief sages always shun wrath: he not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let no more of these unoffending spirits of darkness be consumed. Mercy is the might of the righteous.

1.1.14

tato 'haṃ rakṣasāṃ satraṃ vināśāya samārabham
bhasmīkṛtāś ca śataśas tasmin satre niśācarāḥ //

Paráśara replied, Well inquired, pious Maitreya. You recall to my recollection that which was of old narrated by my father's father, Vaśisht́ha. I had heard that my father had been devoured by a Rákshas employed by Viswámitra: violent anger seized me, and I commenced a sacrifice for the destruction of the Rákshasas: hundreds of them were reduced to ashes by the rite, when, as they were about to be entirely extirpated, my grandfather Vaśisht́ha thus spake to me: Enough, my child; let thy wrath be appeased: the Rákshasas are not culpable: thy father's death was the work of destiny. Anger is the passion of fools; it becometh not a wise man. By whom, it may be asked, is any one killed? Every man reaps the consequences of his own acts. Anger, my son, is the destruction of all that man obtains by arduous exertions, of fame, and of devout austerities; and prevents the attainment of heaven or of emancipation. The chief sages always shun wrath: he not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let no more of these unoffending spirits of darkness be consumed. Mercy is the might of the righteous.

1.1.15

tataḥ saṃkṣīyamāṇeṣu teṣu rakṣaḥsv aśeṣataḥ
mām uvāca mahābhāgo vasiṣṭho 'smatpitāmahaḥ //

Paráśara replied, Well inquired, pious Maitreya. You recall to my recollection that which was of old narrated by my father's father, Vaśisht́ha. I had heard that my father had been devoured by a Rákshas employed by Viswámitra: violent anger seized me, and I commenced a sacrifice for the destruction of the Rákshasas: hundreds of them were reduced to ashes by the rite, when, as they were about to be entirely extirpated, my grandfather Vaśisht́ha thus spake to me: Enough, my child; let thy wrath be appeased: the Rákshasas are not culpable: thy father's death was the work of destiny. Anger is the passion of fools; it becometh not a wise man. By whom, it may be asked, is any one killed? Every man reaps the consequences of his own acts. Anger, my son, is the destruction of all that man obtains by arduous exertions, of fame, and of devout austerities; and prevents the attainment of heaven or of emancipation. The chief sages always shun wrath: he not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let no more of these unoffending spirits of darkness be consumed. Mercy is the might of the righteous.

1.1.16

alam atyantakopena tāta manyum imaṃ jahi
rākṣasā nāparādhyante pitus te vihitaṃ tathā //

Paráśara replied, Well inquired, pious Maitreya. You recall to my recollection that which was of old narrated by my father's father, Vaśisht́ha. I had heard that my father had been devoured by a Rákshas employed by Viswámitra: violent anger seized me, and I commenced a sacrifice for the destruction of the Rákshasas: hundreds of them were reduced to ashes by the rite, when, as they were about to be entirely extirpated, my grandfather Vaśisht́ha thus spake to me: Enough, my child; let thy wrath be appeased: the Rákshasas are not culpable: thy father's death was the work of destiny. Anger is the passion of fools; it becometh not a wise man. By whom, it may be asked, is any one killed? Every man reaps the consequences of his own acts. Anger, my son, is the destruction of all that man obtains by arduous exertions, of fame, and of devout austerities; and prevents the attainment of heaven or of emancipation. The chief sages always shun wrath: he not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let no more of these unoffending spirits of darkness be consumed. Mercy is the might of the righteous.

1.1.17

mūḍhānām eṣa bhavati krodho jñānavatāṃ kutaḥ
hanyate tāta kaḥ kena yataḥ svakṛtabhuk pumān //

Paráśara replied, Well inquired, pious Maitreya. You recall to my recollection that which was of old narrated by my father's father, Vaśisht́ha. I had heard that my father had been devoured by a Rákshas employed by Viswámitra: violent anger seized me, and I commenced a sacrifice for the destruction of the Rákshasas: hundreds of them were reduced to ashes by the rite, when, as they were about to be entirely extirpated, my grandfather Vaśisht́ha thus spake to me: Enough, my child; let thy wrath be appeased: the Rákshasas are not culpable: thy father's death was the work of destiny. Anger is the passion of fools; it becometh not a wise man. By whom, it may be asked, is any one killed? Every man reaps the consequences of his own acts. Anger, my son, is the destruction of all that man obtains by arduous exertions, of fame, and of devout austerities; and prevents the attainment of heaven or of emancipation. The chief sages always shun wrath: he not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let no more of these unoffending spirits of darkness be consumed. Mercy is the might of the righteous.

1.1.18

saṃcitasyāpi mahatā vatsa kleśena mānavaiḥ
yaśasas tapasaś caiva krodho nāśakaraḥ paraḥ //

Paráśara replied, Well inquired, pious Maitreya. You recall to my recollection that which was of old narrated by my father's father, Vaśisht́ha. I had heard that my father had been devoured by a Rákshas employed by Viswámitra: violent anger seized me, and I commenced a sacrifice for the destruction of the Rákshasas: hundreds of them were reduced to ashes by the rite, when, as they were about to be entirely extirpated, my grandfather Vaśisht́ha thus spake to me: Enough, my child; let thy wrath be appeased: the Rákshasas are not culpable: thy father's death was the work of destiny. Anger is the passion of fools; it becometh not a wise man. By whom, it may be asked, is any one killed? Every man reaps the consequences of his own acts. Anger, my son, is the destruction of all that man obtains by arduous exertions, of fame, and of devout austerities; and prevents the attainment of heaven or of emancipation. The chief sages always shun wrath: he not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let no more of these unoffending spirits of darkness be consumed. Mercy is the might of the righteous.

1.1.19

svargāpavargavyāsedhakāraṇaṃ paramarṣayaḥ
varjayanti sadā krodhaṃ tāta mā tadvaśo bhava //

Paráśara replied, Well inquired, pious Maitreya. You recall to my recollection that which was of old narrated by my father's father, Vaśisht́ha. I had heard that my father had been devoured by a Rákshas employed by Viswámitra: violent anger seized me, and I commenced a sacrifice for the destruction of the Rákshasas: hundreds of them were reduced to ashes by the rite, when, as they were about to be entirely extirpated, my grandfather Vaśisht́ha thus spake to me: Enough, my child; let thy wrath be appeased: the Rákshasas are not culpable: thy father's death was the work of destiny. Anger is the passion of fools; it becometh not a wise man. By whom, it may be asked, is any one killed? Every man reaps the consequences of his own acts. Anger, my son, is the destruction of all that man obtains by arduous exertions, of fame, and of devout austerities; and prevents the attainment of heaven or of emancipation. The chief sages always shun wrath: he not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let no more of these unoffending spirits of darkness be consumed. Mercy is the might of the righteous.

1.1.20

alaṃ niśācarair dagdhair dīnair anaparādhibhiḥ
satraṃ te viramatv etat kṣamāsārā hi sādhavaḥ //

Paráśara replied, Well inquired, pious Maitreya. You recall to my recollection that which was of old narrated by my father's father, Vaśisht́ha. I had heard that my father had been devoured by a Rákshas employed by Viswámitra: violent anger seized me, and I commenced a sacrifice for the destruction of the Rákshasas: hundreds of them were reduced to ashes by the rite, when, as they were about to be entirely extirpated, my grandfather Vaśisht́ha thus spake to me: Enough, my child; let thy wrath be appeased: the Rákshasas are not culpable: thy father's death was the work of destiny. Anger is the passion of fools; it becometh not a wise man. By whom, it may be asked, is any one killed? Every man reaps the consequences of his own acts. Anger, my son, is the destruction of all that man obtains by arduous exertions, of fame, and of devout austerities; and prevents the attainment of heaven or of emancipation. The chief sages always shun wrath: he not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let no more of these unoffending spirits of darkness be consumed. Mercy is the might of the righteous.

1.1.21

evaṃ tātena tenāham anunīto mahātmanā
upasaṃhṛtavān satraṃ sadyas tadvākyagauravāt //

Being thus admonished by my venerable grandsire, I immediately desisted from the rite, in obedience to his injunctions, and Vaśisht́ha, the most excellent of sages, was content with me. Then arrived Pulastya, the son of Brahmá, who was received by my grandfather with the customary marks of respect. The illustrious brother of Pulaha said to me; Since, in the violence of animosity, you have listened to the words of your progenitor, and have exercised clemency, therefore you shall become learned in every science: since you have forborne, even though incensed, to destroy my posterity, I will bestow upon you another boon, and, you shall become the author of a summary of the Puráńas; you shall know the true nature of the deities, as it really is; and, whether engaged in religious rites, or abstaining from their performance, your understanding, through my favour, shall be perfect, and exempt from). doubts. Then my grandsire Vaśisht́ha added; Whatever has been said to thee by Pulastya, shall assuredly come to pass.

1.1.22

tataḥ prītaḥ sa bhagavān vasiṣṭho munisattamaḥ
saṃprāptaś ca tadā tatra pulastyo brahmaṇaḥ sutaḥ //

Being thus admonished by my venerable grandsire, I immediately desisted from the rite, in obedience to his injunctions, and Vaśisht́ha, the most excellent of sages, was content with me. Then arrived Pulastya, the son of Brahmá, who was received by my grandfather with the customary marks of respect. The illustrious brother of Pulaha said to me; Since, in the violence of animosity, you have listened to the words of your progenitor, and have exercised clemency, therefore you shall become learned in every science: since you have forborne, even though incensed, to destroy my posterity, I will bestow upon you another boon, and, you shall become the author of a summary of the Puráńas; you shall know the true nature of the deities, as it really is; and, whether engaged in religious rites, or abstaining from their performance, your understanding, through my favour, shall be perfect, and exempt from). doubts. Then my grandsire Vaśisht́ha added; Whatever has been said to thee by Pulastya, shall assuredly come to pass.

1.1.23

pitāmahena dattārghyaḥ kṛtāsanaparigrahaḥ
mām uvāca mahābhāgo maitreya pulahāgrajaḥ //

Being thus admonished by my venerable grandsire, I immediately desisted from the rite, in obedience to his injunctions, and Vaśisht́ha, the most excellent of sages, was content with me. Then arrived Pulastya, the son of Brahmá, who was received by my grandfather with the customary marks of respect. The illustrious brother of Pulaha said to me; Since, in the violence of animosity, you have listened to the words of your progenitor, and have exercised clemency, therefore you shall become learned in every science: since you have forborne, even though incensed, to destroy my posterity, I will bestow upon you another boon, and, you shall become the author of a summary of the Puráńas; you shall know the true nature of the deities, as it really is; and, whether engaged in religious rites, or abstaining from their performance, your understanding, through my favour, shall be perfect, and exempt from). doubts. Then my grandsire Vaśisht́ha added; Whatever has been said to thee by Pulastya, shall assuredly come to pass.

1.1.24

pulastya uvāca:
vaire mahati yad vākyād guror asyāśritā kṣamā
tvayā tasmāt samastāni bhavāñ chāstrāṇi vetsyati //

Being thus admonished by my venerable grandsire, I immediately desisted from the rite, in obedience to his injunctions, and Vaśisht́ha, the most excellent of sages, was content with me. Then arrived Pulastya, the son of Brahmá, who was received by my grandfather with the customary marks of respect. The illustrious brother of Pulaha said to me; Since, in the violence of animosity, you have listened to the words of your progenitor, and have exercised clemency, therefore you shall become learned in every science: since you have forborne, even though incensed, to destroy my posterity, I will bestow upon you another boon, and, you shall become the author of a summary of the Puráńas; you shall know the true nature of the deities, as it really is; and, whether engaged in religious rites, or abstaining from their performance, your understanding, through my favour, shall be perfect, and exempt from). doubts. Then my grandsire Vaśisht́ha added; Whatever has been said to thee by Pulastya, shall assuredly come to pass.

1.1.25

saṃtater na mamocchedaḥ kruddhenāpi yataḥ kṛtaḥ
tvayā tasmān mahābhāga dadāmy anyaṃ mahāvaram //

Being thus admonished by my venerable grandsire, I immediately desisted from the rite, in obedience to his injunctions, and Vaśisht́ha, the most excellent of sages, was content with me. Then arrived Pulastya, the son of Brahmá, who was received by my grandfather with the customary marks of respect. The illustrious brother of Pulaha said to me; Since, in the violence of animosity, you have listened to the words of your progenitor, and have exercised clemency, therefore you shall become learned in every science: since you have forborne, even though incensed, to destroy my posterity, I will bestow upon you another boon, and, you shall become the author of a summary of the Puráńas; you shall know the true nature of the deities, as it really is; and, whether engaged in religious rites, or abstaining from their performance, your understanding, through my favour, shall be perfect, and exempt from). doubts. Then my grandsire Vaśisht́ha added; Whatever has been said to thee by Pulastya, shall assuredly come to pass.

1.1.26

purāṇasaṃhitākartā bhavān vatsa bhaviṣyati
devatāpāramārthyaṃ ca yathāvad vetsyate bhavān //

Being thus admonished by my venerable grandsire, I immediately desisted from the rite, in obedience to his injunctions, and Vaśisht́ha, the most excellent of sages, was content with me. Then arrived Pulastya, the son of Brahmá, who was received by my grandfather with the customary marks of respect. The illustrious brother of Pulaha said to me; Since, in the violence of animosity, you have listened to the words of your progenitor, and have exercised clemency, therefore you shall become learned in every science: since you have forborne, even though incensed, to destroy my posterity, I will bestow upon you another boon, and, you shall become the author of a summary of the Puráńas; you shall know the true nature of the deities, as it really is; and, whether engaged in religious rites, or abstaining from their performance, your understanding, through my favour, shall be perfect, and exempt from). doubts. Then my grandsire Vaśisht́ha added; Whatever has been said to thee by Pulastya, shall assuredly come to pass.

1.1.27

pravṛtte ca nivṛtte ca karmaṇy astamalā matiḥ
matprasādād asaṃdigdhā tava vatsa bhaviṣyati //

Being thus admonished by my venerable grandsire, I immediately desisted from the rite, in obedience to his injunctions, and Vaśisht́ha, the most excellent of sages, was content with me. Then arrived Pulastya, the son of Brahmá, who was received by my grandfather with the customary marks of respect. The illustrious brother of Pulaha said to me; Since, in the violence of animosity, you have listened to the words of your progenitor, and have exercised clemency, therefore you shall become learned in every science: since you have forborne, even though incensed, to destroy my posterity, I will bestow upon you another boon, and, you shall become the author of a summary of the Puráńas; you shall know the true nature of the deities, as it really is; and, whether engaged in religious rites, or abstaining from their performance, your understanding, through my favour, shall be perfect, and exempt from). doubts. Then my grandsire Vaśisht́ha added; Whatever has been said to thee by Pulastya, shall assuredly come to pass.

1.1.28

tataś ca bhagavān prāha vasiṣṭho me pitāmahaḥ
pulastyena yad uktaṃ te sarvam etad bhaviṣyati //

Being thus admonished by my venerable grandsire, I immediately desisted from the rite, in obedience to his injunctions, and Vaśisht́ha, the most excellent of sages, was content with me. Then arrived Pulastya, the son of Brahmá, who was received by my grandfather with the customary marks of respect. The illustrious brother of Pulaha said to me; Since, in the violence of animosity, you have listened to the words of your progenitor, and have exercised clemency, therefore you shall become learned in every science: since you have forborne, even though incensed, to destroy my posterity, I will bestow upon you another boon, and, you shall become the author of a summary of the Puráńas; you shall know the true nature of the deities, as it really is; and, whether engaged in religious rites, or abstaining from their performance, your understanding, through my favour, shall be perfect, and exempt from). doubts. Then my grandsire Vaśisht́ha added; Whatever has been said to thee by Pulastya, shall assuredly come to pass.

1.1.29

iti pūrvaṃ vasiṣṭhena pulastyena ca dhīmatā
yad uktaṃ tat smṛtiṃ yātaṃ tvatpraśnād akhilaṃ mama //

Now truly all that was told me formerly by Vaśisht́ha, and by the wise Palastya, has been brought to my recollection by your questions, and I will relate to you the whole, even all you have asked. Listen to the complete compendium of the Pur pas, according to its tenour. The world was produced from Vishńu: it exists in him: he is the cause of its continuance and cessation: he is the world.

1.1.30

so 'haṃ vadāmy aśeṣaṃ te maitreya paripṛcchate
purāṇasaṃhitāṃ samyak tāṃ nibodha yathātatham //

I, that very person, shall speak all to you, Maitreya, who ask. / Understand that Purāṇa collection completely, just as it is.

1.1.31

viṣṇoḥ sakāśād udbhūtaṃ jagat tatraiva ca sthitam
sthitisaṃyamakartāsau jagato 'sya jagac ca saḥ //

From Viṣṇu the world has arisen, and within him alone it stands; / he is the author of the sustenance and destruction of this world, and he is the world.

1.1.31x20

mitrāputravaco niśamya sakalaṃ smṛtvātmanas tad varam satraṃ caiva nivāritaṃ sa sumahābhāgo 'bhavat tāraṇam
kṛtvā vaiṣṇavam uttamaṃ munivaraṃ maitreyam adhyāpayat tattvārthapratipādanaṃ pravadatāṃ sarvārthadaṃ śṛṇvatām //

Having heard all the words of Maitreya, and remembering his own boon, the sacrifice having been checked, that highly fortunate one became the savior; / having composed the excellent Vaiṣṇava [Purāṇa], he taught the best of sages, Maitreya, which sets forth the true reality, granting all ends to those who recite it and those who listen.

1.1.31x20.p1

iti śrīviṣṇupurāṇe prathame 'ṃśe prathamo 'dhyāyaḥ

Thus ends the first chapter in the first book of the glorious Viṣṇupurāṇa.