Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.656

c7.656

HARIVAMŚA (M). An appendix to the Mahābhārata in 10,000 verses. The main object of it is to sing the praises of Mahāviṣṇu. It contains three parts called respectively Harivaṁśa Parva, Viṣṇu Parva, and Bhaviṣya Parva. Creation of the world, kings of the solar dynasty and of the lunar dynasty, Yadu dynasty and the birth of Śrī Kṛṣṇa form the theme of Harivaṁśa Parva. Viṣṇu Parva deals mainly with the pranks and games of Śrī Kṛṣṇa in his childhood. Though there occur certain hints about the future at the beginning of the Bhaviṣya Parva, the creation of the world, the incarnation of Viṣṇu as Vāmana (Dwarf) and as Narasimha (half man and half lion), Śiva and Viṣṇu constitute its main theme.