BRAHMAVAIVART PURANA
This
is the twelfth Purana. It contains four parts- Brahma khand, Prakriti khand,
Ganesh khand and Shri Krishna Janma khand.
In Naimisharanya Tirth, addressing a gathering of great sages like Shaunak etc.,
Sutaji has described this Purana as a marvelous creation. This Purana describes
the plays of Lord Krishna and Radha in considerable detail. Thus, it is a basic
source of inspiration for all subsequent treatises that depict the life of
Radha. It is the only Purana that exclusively describes the episodes from the
life of Radha, the most beloved lady of Lord Shri Krishna.
Brahma khand: Creation
of the universe. Origin of Narayana from the body of Shri Krishna. Origin of
Radha in Rasamandal. Origin of Gopas, Gopis and cows from the bodies of Radha
and Krishna. Creation of all other animate-inanimate world.
Prakriti khand: Greatness of Durga, Radha,
Lakshmi, Saraswati and Savitri in the creation of the world. Tales of
Savitri-Satyavaan, Surabhi, Swaha and Swadha. Description of the clan of Surath.
Tale of Ganga. Tales from Ramayana. Curse of Durvasa on Indra. Worship of
Lakshmi.
Ganesh khand: Mainly
discusses the greatness of Lord
Ganesh. Also contains tales of Jamadagni, Karteveerya, Parashurama etc.
Shri Krishna khand: Describes
the life and plays of Lord Shri Krishna, under the heads of Braj leela, Mathura
leela, reunion of Radha and Krishna. Migration of the residents of Gokul to
Gokula.
In the treatise of this Purana, there are ten features of Maha Purana. These
are: creation, preservation, Pralaya (destruction), fostering, karma,
description of lust, description of each of the fourteen Manus and their
dynasties. Description of salvation, recitation of the virtues of Shri Hari and
description of the glory of the gods. But Puranas with five features and Upa
Puranas have the following common features: creation, destruction, description
of Chandra and Surya dynasties and their kings and description of the fourteen
Manus.
AGNI PURAN
|
This
Purana is basically preaching to the sage Vashishth by Agni. In his
turn, Vashishth narrated it to Vyasaji, who related it to Sutji.
Ultimately, Sutji narrated Agni Purana to an assembly of the sages in
Naimisharanya. |
BHAVISHYA
PURANA
Eleventh
among the Puranas, it contains five parts. The first part describes the genesis
of the greatness of dates and worship of Lords Vishnu, Shiva and Surya. The
second, third and fourth parts describe the greatness of Shiva, Vishnu and Surya
respectively.
The fifth part contains a description of heaven. Like other Puranas, Bhavishya
Purana also contains a description of the ancient kings and Chandra and Surya
dynasties. Interestingly, Bhavishya Purana contains a description of a game that
resembles modern chess to a great extent. In all, the subject matter of
Bhavishya Purana seems to be an attempt to establish the supremacy of Brahma.
