Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s3.t12.28

v2.c10.s3.t12.28

**16. Matsya Purana** has about 14,000 verses and is deemed as a very old text that also contains later additions. Many of its stories, such as Pururavas, Vikramorvasi, Yayati, described the battles between devas and demons, the churning of the Ocean of Milk and Savitri, are consistent with the *Mahabharata*. Like other *Puranas*, it also describes the major 18 *Puranas*, nine celestial bodies, seven states, four epochs, avatars of Vishnu, Vishnu killing the demon, birth of Mars, genealogy of dynasties, responsibilities of the kings, family rituals, ceremonies, religious festivals, astrology, dream interpretation, law, morality and the like.