A History of Indian Literature v1.c9.s8.69

v1.c9.s8.69

The fact that the Harivaṃśa is absolutely and entirely a *Purāṇa* is also shown by the numerous, often literally identical, coincidences with passages in several of the most important Purāṇas.[^1) Nevertheless, it was necessary to speak of the Harivaṃśa here, and not only later in the chapter on the Purāṇas, not only because this work is regarded by the *Indians* as belonging to the Mahābhārata, but also because this supplement and the way in which it is added to the epic is peculiarly adapted for throwing light on the history of the Mahābhārata itself. We will now turn to this history.