CHAPTER XXII.

Dominion over different provinces of creation assigned to different beings. Universality of Vishnu. Four varieties of spiritual contemplation. Two conditions of spirit. The perceptible attributes of Vishnu types of his imperceptible properties. Vishnu everything. Merit of hearing the first book of the Vishnu Purána.

BOOK II.

CHAPTER I.

Descendants of Priyavrata, the eldest son of Swayambhuva Manu: his ten sons: three adopt a religious life; the others become kings of the seven Dwipas or isles of the earth. Ágnídhra, king of Jambu-dwípa, divides it into nine portions, which he distributes amongst his sons. Nábhi, king of the south, succeeded by Rishabha, and he, by Bharata: India named, after him, Bhárata: his descendants reign during the Swayambhuva Manwantara.

CHAPTER II.

Description of the earth. The seven Dwipas and seven seas. Jambu-dwípa. Mount Meru: its extent and boundaries. Extent of Ilávrita. Groves, lakes, and branches of Meru. Cities of the gods. Rivers. The forms of Vishnu worshipped in different Varshas.

CHAPTER III.

Description of Bhárata - varsha: extent: chief mountains: nine divisions: principal rivers and mountains of Bhárata proper: principal nations: superiority over other Varshas, especially as the seat of religious acts. (Topographical lists.)

CHAPTER IV.

Account of kings, divisions, mountains, rivers, and inhabitants of the other Dwipas, viz., Plaksha, Śálmala, Kuśa, Krauncha, Śáka,

and Pushkara: of the oceans separating them: of the tides: of the confines of the earth: the Lokáloka mountain. Extent of the whole.

CHAPTER V.

Of the seven regions of Pátála, below the earth. Nárada's praises of Pátála. Account of the serpent Sesha. First teacher of astronomy and astrology.

CHAPTER VI.

Of the different hells, or divisions of Naraka, below Pátála: the crimes punished in them, respectively: efficacy of expiation: meditation on Vishnu the most effective expiation.

CHAPTER VII.

Extent and situation of the seven spheres, viz. earth, sky, planets, Mahar-loka, Jana-loka, Tapo-loka, and Satya-loka. Of the egg of Brahma, and its elementary envelopes. Of the influence of the energy of Vishnu.

CHAPTER VIII.

Description of the sun: his chariot; its two axles: his horses. The cities of the regents of the cardinal points. The sun's course: nature of his rays: his path along the ecliptic. Length of day and night. Divisions of time: equinoxes and solstices, months, years, the cyclical Yuga or age of five years. Northern and southern declinations. Saints on the Lokáloka mountain. Celestial paths of the Pitris, gods, Vishnu. Origin of Gangá, and separation, on the top of Meru, into four great rivers.

CHAPTER IX.

Planetary system, under the type of a Sisumára or porpoise. The earth nourished by the sun. Of rain whilst the sun shines. Rain the support of vegetation, and, Nárayana the support of all beings.

Of rain from clouds.

thence, of animal life.

CHAPTER X.

Names of the twelve Ádityas. Names of the Rishis, Gandharvas,

Apsarasas, Yakshas, Uragas, and Rákshasas, who attend the

chariot of the sun in each month of the year. Their respective

functions.

CHAPTER XI.

The sun distinct from, and supreme over, the attendants on his

car: identical with the three Vedas and with Vishnu: his

functions.

CHAPTER XII.

Description of the moon: his chariot, horses, and course: fed by
the sun drained, periodically, of ambrosia by the progenitors
and gods. The chariots and horses of the planets: kept in
their orbits by aerial chains attached to Dhruva, Typical
members of the planetary porpoise. Vásudeva alone real.

CHAPTER XIII.

Legend of Bharata. Bharata abdicates his throne and becomes
an ascetic: cherishes a fawn, and becomes so much attached
to it, as to neglect his devotions: he dies: his successive births:
works in the fields, and is pressed, as a palankin-bearer, for
the Raja of Sauvíra: rebuked for his awkwardness: his reply:
dialogue between him and the king.

CHAPTER XIV.

Dialogue continued. Bharata expounds the nature of existence,

the end of life, and the identification of individual with uni-

versal spirit.

CHAPTER XV.

Bharata relates the story of Ribhu and Nidágha. The latter, the
pupil of the former, becomes a prince, and is visited by his
preceptor, who explains to him the principles of unity, and
departs.

CHAPTER XVI.

Ribhu returns to his disciple, and perfects him in divine knowledge.
The same recommended to the Raja, by Bharata, who, there-
upon, obtains final liberation. Consequences of hearing this legend.

BOOK III.

CHAPTER I.

Swarochisha

Account of the several Manus and Man wantaras.
the second Manu: the divinities, the Indra, the seven Rishis,
of his period, and his sons. Similar details of Auttami, Támasa,
Raivata, Chákshusha, and Vaivaswata. The forms of Vishnu,
as the preserver, in each Manwantara. The meaning of Vishnu.

CHAPTER II.

Of the seven future Manus and Manwantaras. Story of Sanjná and
Chhayá, wives of the sun. Sávarni, son of Chhayá, the eighth
Manu. His successors, with the divinities, &c. of their respec-
tive periods. Appearance of Vishnu in each of the four Yugas.

CHAPTER III.

Division of the Veda into four portions, by a Vyása, in every
Dwápara age. List of the twenty-eight Vyásas of the present
Manwantara. Meaning of the word Brahma.

CHAPTER IV.

Division of the Veda, in the last Dwápara age, by the Vyása
Krishna Dwaipayana. Paila made reader of the Rich; Vaisam-
payana, of the Yajus; Jaimini, of the Sáman; and Sumantu,
of the Atharvan. Súta appointed to teach the historical poems.
Origin of the four parts of the Veda. Samhitás of the Rig-veda.

CHAPTER V.

Divisions of the Yajur-veda. Story of Yajnavalkya: forced to
give up what he has learned: picked up by others, forming
the Taittiriya-yajus. Yajnavalkya worships the sun, who
communicates to him the Vájasaneyi-yajus.

CHAPTER VI.

Divisions of the Sáma-veda: of the Atharva-veda. Four Pauránik Sambitás. Names of the eighteen Puráñas. Branches of knowledge. Classes of Rishis.

CHAPTER VII.

By what means men are exempted from the authority of Yama, as narrated by Bhishma to Nakula. Dialogue between Yama and one of his attendants. Worshippers of Vishnu not subject to Yama. How they are to be known.

CHAPTER VIII.

How Vishnu is to be worshipped, as related by Aurva to Sagara. Duties of the four castes, severally and in common: also in time of distress.

CHAPTER IX.

Duties of the religious student, householder, hermit, and mendicant.

CHAPTER X.

Ceremonies to be observed at the birth and naming of a child. Of marrying, or leading a religious life. Choice of a wife. Different modes of marrying.

CHAPTER XI.

Of the Sadácháras or perpetual obligations of a householder. Daily purifications, ablutions, libations, and oblations: hospitality: obsequial rites: ceremonies to be observed at meals, at morning and evening worship, and on going to rest.

CHAPTER XII.

Miscellaneous obligations, purificatory, ceremonial, and moral.

CHAPTER XIII.

Of Śráddhas or rites in honour of ancestors, to be performed on occasions of rejoicing. Obsequial ceremonies. Of the Ekoddishta or monthly Śráddha, and the Sapindana or annual one. By whom to be performed.