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The ninth book narrates the Solar and Lunar dynasties ; while the tenth book, which is the characteristic part of the work, is entirely appropriated to the life of Krishna. The eleventh book describes the destruction of the Yddavas and the death of Krishna ; and the twelfth and last book gives lists of later kings like what we have in the Vishnu Pur&na. 6. Ndrada Purdna. — This work contains a variety of prayers to Vishnu, and legends inculcating devotion to Hari. Another work, called Brihat Ndradiya Purdna, contains similar prayers to Vishnu, injunctions to ob- serve various rites and to keep holy seasons in honour of him, as well as various legends. Both these works are very recent, and Dr. Wilson conjectures they are not the original works mentioned in the list of 18 Purdnas. j. M&rkandeya Purdna occupies itself mainly with a narration of legends. Legends of Vritra's death, of Digitized by Google CHAP. V.] RELIGION, &C Baladeva's penance, of Harischandra and of the quarrel between Vasishtha and VisvAmitra are followed by a discussion about birth, death, sin, and hell. Then fol- lows a description of creation and of the Manvantaras. An account of the future Manvantara leads to a nar- rative of the actions of the goddess Durg&, which is the special boast of this Pur&na, and is the text-book of the worship of Chandl or Durgl It is the famous Chandi Pitha ; and this portion of the work is read to the present day in Hindu households, as well as in temples of Durgl 8. A&ni Purdna.— The early chapters describe the incarnations of Vishnu. This is followed by accounts of religious ceremonies, many of which belong to the Tantrika ritual, and some to mystical forms of Saiva worship. Interspersed with these are chapters des- criptive of the earth and the universe. These are followed by chapters on the duties of kings, on the art of war and on laws, after which we have an account of the Vedas and Purinas. The geneological lists are meagre. Medicine, Rhetoric, Prosody, and Grammar, conclude the work. 9. Bhavishya Purdna, with its continuation the Bhavishyottara Purdna. — The first treats of creation, explains the Sanskdras and the duties of the different castes and orders of life, and describes various rites. All this, which occupies about one-third of the work, is followed by conversations between Krishna, his son Digitized by Google 300 PAURANIK PERIOD. [BOOK V. Samba, Vasishtha, Narada, and Vyasa, on the power and glory of the sun. " There is some curious matter in the last chapters relating to the Magas, silent wor- shippers of the sun, from Sakadvipa ; as if the compiler had adopted the Persian term Magh, and connected the fire-worshippers of Iran with those of India."* The Bhavishyottara is like the Bhavishya, a sort of manual of religious offices. 10. Brahma Vaivarta Purdna. — It is divided into four books, describing the acts of Brahma, Devi, Ganesa, and Krishna, respectively. The original character of the work has, however, been much altered, the present work is decidedly sectarial, and prominence is given to Krishna over all other deities. The great mass of the existing work is taken up with descriptions of Vrinda- vana with endless prayers to Krishna, and with tiresome descriptions of the loves of Radha and the Gopis. 11. Linga Purdna. — The work begins with an account of creation, and Siva is the creator. The ap- pearance of the great fiery Linga takes place in the interval of a creation, and Brahma and Vishnu are humbled. The Vedas proceed from the Linga, by which Brahma and Vishnu become enlightened and acknow- ledge the superior glory of Siva. Another creation follows, Siva repeats the story of his 28 incarnations (intended no doubt as a counterpart of the 24 incarna- * Wilson. Preface to Vishnu Purana, lxiv. Digitized by Google CHAP. V.] RELIGION, &C. 301 tions of Vishnu* in the Bhagavata Purana), and this is followed by a description of the universe and of the regal dynasties to the time of Krishna. Legends, rites, and prayers to Siva succeed. It is noticeable that even in the Linga Purana " there is nothing like the phallic orgies of antiquity; it is all mystical and spiritual." f 12. Vardlia Purdna.— The work is almost wholly occupied with forms of prayer and rules for devotional observances addressed to Vishnu, interspersed with legendary illustrations. A considerable portion of the work is taken up with accounts of various Tirthas or places of Vaishnava pilgrimage. 13. Skanda Purdna.— -This work, the most volu- minous of all the Purdnas, is not a work in a collective form, but exists in fragments, the aggregate of which exceeds the limit of 81,100 stanzas of which the Purana is said to consist. The Kasi Khanda is a minute description of the temples of Siva in Benares, mixed with directions for worship and a variety of legends. The Utkala Khanda gives an account of the holiness of Orissa and of Jagannatha, and is no doubt a later appendage by Vaishnava writers, who thus added an account of a Vaishnava Tirtha to an eminently Saiva * The idea of Vishnu*s 24 incarnations was probably originally borrow- ed from the story of the 24 Buddhas who were born before Gautama Buddha. t Wilson-Preface to Vishnu Purana, lxix. Digitized by Google 302 PAURANIK PERIOD. [BOOK V. Purdna. Besides the different Khandas, there are several Sanhitis and numerous MAhitmyas included in this very composite Purina. 14. Vdmana Purdna. — Contains an account of the dwarf-incarnation of Vishnu. The worship of Linga is also treated of. but the main object of the work is to celebrate the sanctity of holy places in India, and the Purina therefore is little else than a succession of Mihitmyas. Legends of Daksha's sacrifice, of the burning of Kimadeva, of the marriage of Siva and Umi, and the birth of Kirtikeya, of the greatness of Bali and his subjugation by Krishna as a dwarf — all come in apparently as reasons for particular sites and Tirthas being considered holy. 1 5. K&rma Purdna.— The name of this, as of the preceding Purina, is that of an incarnation of Vishnu, but nevertheless Kurma is classed with Saiva Purinas, and the greater portion of it inculcates the worship of Siva and Durgi. The first part of the Purina deals with creation, the incarnations of Vishnu, the solar and lunar dynasties up to the time of Krishna, the universe and the Manvantaras, and with these are mixed up hymns to Mahasvara and various Saiva legends. The second part deals with the knowledge of Siva through contemplation and through Vedic rites. 16. Matsya Purdna. — The work opens with an account of the Matsya or fish— incarnation of Vishnu. The story is no doubt a development of the simpler Digitized by Google CHAP. V.] RELIGION, &C. 303 legend in the Satapatha Brahmana* which bears so curious a resemblance to the story of Noah and the Deluge in the Old Testament. In the Purana it is Vishnu who in the shape of a fish preserves Manu with the seeds of all things in an ark from the waters of an inundation. Whilst the ark floats, fastened to the fish, Manu enters into conversation with him, and his ques- tions and Vishnu's replies form the main substance of the Purina. The creation, the royal dynasties, and the duties of the different orders, are successively dealt with. Legends about Siva's marriage with Uma* and the birth of Kdrtekeya follow, and these are mixed up with Vaishnava legends. Some Mdhatmyas are introduced, including the NarmadA-MAhAtmya, and there are chapters on law and morals, on the making of images, on future kings, and on gifts, 17. Garuda Purdna. — It contains a brief notice of the creation, but is mainly occupied with religious observances, holidays, prayers from the TAntrika ritual, astrology, palmistry, medicine, &c The last portion of the work is taken up with directions for the performance of obsequial rites. There is no account in the existing work of the birth of Garuda, and it is possible that the original Garuda Purdna has been lost to us. 18. Brahmdnda Purdna. — This work like the Skan- da is no longer to be found as a collective work, but * Sec ante vol. I, p. 281. Digitized by Google 304 PAURANIK PERIOD. [BOOK V. exists in fragments ; and later writers have taken advantage of this to attach various independent trea- tises from time to time to the non-existent original. A very curious work, called the Adhydtma Rimayana, is considered to be a part of the Brahmanda Purina. The above rapid review of the contents of the 1 8 voluminous Purinas sufficiently indicates the nature of the works. The 1 8 works were originally composed or recast in the Pauranik Period, and existed when Alberuni visited India in the eleventh century ; but there can be no doubt that they have been considerably modified and enlarged since, specially by Saiva and Vaishnava writers, who were anxious to establish the supremacy of their respective creeds. Siva was the first popular god of the Pauranik Period, as we find in the annals of Orissa and some other provinces, as well as in the classic literature of the Pauranik • Age. Krishna, who is almost unknown to Kalid&sa, Bharavi, B&nabhatta Bhavabhuti, and other classic authors, became the popular god of the Hindus at a later date ; M&gha and Jayadeva celebrated his deeds in the eleventh and twelfth centuries ; and all through tfie Musalman rule Krishna was no doubt the most favorite* diety of the Hindus. Much of the Puranas dwelling on the sports and loves of Krishna, as well as all the por- tions dealing with the worship of Siva or Sakti accord- ing to the Tantrika ritual, appear to the productions of centuries subsequent to the Mahommedan conquest. Digitized by Google CHAP. V.] RELIGION, &C.