Lineage of the Sun, its emergence and kings' description

वैवस्वतवंशोद्भवराजवर्णनं नामैकोनचत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः
Lineage of the Sun, its emergence and kings' description Chapter 39



सूत उवाच |
Suta Goswami said (to the sages)



दीर्घबाहुः सुतस्तस्य रघुस्तस्याभवत्सुतः |
अजस्तस्य तु पुत्रोऽभूत्तस्माद्दशरथोऽभवत् || 16 ||
रामो दशरथाज्जज्ञे धर्मात्मा यो महायशाः |
स विष्ण्वंशो महाशैवः पौलस्त्यो येन घातितः || 17 ||
तच्चरित्रं च बहुधा पुराणेषु प्रवर्णितम् |
रामायणे प्रसिद्धं हि नातः प्रोक्तं तु विस्तरात् || 18 ||
Dirghabahu was his son, Raghu became his (Dirghabahu's) son, Aja indeed became his (Raghu's) son; from him became Dasharatha.
Rama, the great soul of Dharma who had great fame, was born of Dasharatha. He was a little part of Lord Vishnu, a great follower of Lord Shiva, by whom Ravana (Paulastya) was killed.
And his life events have been described in many ways in the Puranas. (It is) really well known in Ramayana. Therefore, it is not spoken (here) in detail.



रामस्य तनयो जज्ञे कुश इत्यतिविश्रुतः |
अतिथिस्तु कुशाज्जज्ञे निषधस्तस्य चात्मजः || 19 ||
निषधस्य नलः पुत्रो नभः पुत्रो नलस्य तु |
नभसः पुण्डरीकश्च क्षेमधन्वा ततः स्मृतः || 20 ||
As Rama's son, Kusha was born, which is very well known. Atithi was indeed born of Kusha, and Nishadha (was) his (Atithi's) son.
Nala (was) the son of Nishadha, Nabha (was) indeed the son of Nala, and Pundarika (was the son) of Nala; Kshemadhanva (was) his (son).



The lineage is described further in the chapter including the sons to occur in future from the time this Purana was spoken.

Description of Sun (and his events) in Manvantara narration

मन्वन्तरकीर्तने वैवस्वतवर्णनं नाम पञ्चत्रिंशोऽध्यायः
Description of Sun (and his events) in Manvantara narration - Chapter 35



सूत उवाच |
Suta Goswami said (to the sages)



मनुः प्रजापतिस्त्वासीत्सावर्णिः स तपोधनः |
भाव्यः स कर्मणा तेन मनोः सावर्णिकेन्तरे || 39 ||
मेरुपृष्ठे तपो घोरमद्यापि चरते प्रभुः |
यवीयसी तयोर्या तु यमी कन्या यशस्विनी || 40 ||
अभवत्सा सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा यमुना लोकपावनी |
That Manu, the ancestor of people is Savarni, who has done a lot of penance. Because of his karma, he is to be the Manu in the next Manvantara.
On the side of (the mountain) Meru, the Lord is practising severe/horrible penance now also. His younger sister, (is) indeed the girl Yami (Yamuna) of great fame.
She became a great river Yamuna who makes the world holier.



Savarni Manu, Shani (Saturn) and Tapti (Tapi, now a river) were born of Chhaya, who was left by Samgnya unable to face the brilliance of the Vivasvaan (Sun).

Narration of all Manvantaras

सर्वमन्वन्तरानुकीर्तनं नाम चतुर्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः
Narration of all Manvantaras – Chapter 34



सूत उवाच |
Suta Goswami said (to sage Shaunaka)



स्वायंभुवो मनुश्चैव ततः स्वारोचिषस्तथा |
उत्तमस्तामसश्चैव रैवतश्चाक्षुषस्तथा || 2 ||
एते च मनवः षट् ते संप्रोक्ता मुनिपुङ्गव |
वैवस्वतो मुनिश्रेष्ठ सांप्रतं मनुरुच्यते || 3 ||
Svayambhuva Manu, and then Svarochisha, and Uttama, and Tamasa, and Raivata and Chakshusha -
And the best sage, these are said to be those six Manus. Best sage, the present Manu is said to be Vaivaswata (born of the Sun - Vivasvaan).

Seven more are to come, of which the next one is Savarni Manu.

Averting time/death

कालवञ्चनवर्णनं नाम षड्विंशोऽध्यायः
Averting time/death description Chapter 26



शंकर उवाच |
Lord Shiva said (to supreme Goddess Parvati)



न हन्यते देववरैस्तु दैत्यैः सयक्षरक्षोरगमानुषैश्च |
ये योगिनो ध्यानपराः सदेहा भवन्ति ते घ्नन्ति सुखेन कालम् || 12 ||
Time/death cannot be killed (controlled) by the best of the Devas, demons, also Yakshas, Serpents (Nagas), and humans. Those Yogis with (gross human) bodies who become meditation-intensive (manage to) kill/control death easily.



आकाशाज्जायते वायुर्वायोस्तेजश्च जायते |
तेजसोऽम्बु विनिर्दिष्टं तस्माद्धि पृथिवी भवेत् || 15 ||
From sky/ether air is born, from air is fire/brilliance born, from fire manifests water, from that only is earth created.

Description of the worlds

लोकवर्णनं नामैकोनविंशोऽध्यायः
Description of the worlds – Chapter 19



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



तत ऊर्ध्वं न लोकाश्च गोलोकस्तत्समीपतः |
गोमातरः सुशीलाख्यास्तत्र सन्ति शिवप्रियाः || 40 ||
तत्पालः कृष्णनामा हि राजते शङ्कराज्ञया |
प्रतिष्ठितः शिवेनैव शक्त्या स्वच्छन्दचारिणा || 41 ||
There are no worlds above that, (but) Goloka is nearby. Favourite of Lord Shiva, mothers of cows called Sushilaa are there.
Their cowherd by the name of Krishna really resides (there) by the instruction of Lord Shiva, placed by Lord Shiva and (supreme Goddess) Shakti, who are independent (who go where they please).

Description of the worlds

लोकवर्णनं नामैकोनविंशोऽध्यायः
Description of the worlds – Chapter 19



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



तस्योपरिष्टाद्विज्ञेयः शिवलोकः सनातनः |
अविनाशी महादिव्यो महाशोभान्वितः सदा || 38 ||
विराजते परं ब्रह्म यत्र शम्भुर्महेश्वरः |
त्रिदेवजनकः स्वामी सर्वेषां त्रिगुणात्परः || 39 ||
The eternal Shivaloka should be known to be above that (Umaloka), which is indestructible, highly divine, always with a great appearance.
Where the supreme element, the great God Shiva resides, father of the three Devas, everybody's Lord, above the three characteristics (of nature, sattva, rajas, tamas).

Worlds

लोकवर्णनं नामैकोनविंशोऽध्यायः
Description of the worlds – Chapter 19



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



ब्रह्माण्डादुपरिष्टाच्च सन्ति लोका मुनीश्वर | 33
Great sage, there are worlds above the universe also.



The universe consists of the 14 worlds (7 below the mortal world, and 6 above) and the hells, but above the universe are Shivaloka, Umaloka, Vaikuntha, etc.



ततः परमुमालोको महादिव्यो विराजते |
यत्र शक्तिर्विभात्येका त्रिदेवजननी शिवा || 36 ||
परात्परा हि प्रकृति रजःसत्त्वतमोमयी |
निर्गुणा च स्वयं देवी निर्विकारा शिवात्मिका || 37 ||
Above that (Kumaraloka, which is above Vaikuntha) is situated the highly divine Umaloka, where Shakti (the energy of the universe, the supreme Goddess) Shivaa, the Mother of the three Gods shines (looks wonderful).
Higher than the highest Prakriti with sattva, rajas and tamas characteristics, and the formless Goddess herself, free from defects (is) Shivatmika (similar to Lord Shiva, or from the same element as Lord Shiva).

Salvation from hell

नरकोद्धारवर्णनं नाम षोडशोऽध्यायः
Salvation from hell description Chapter 16



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



पुमान्न नरकं याति यः स्मरेद्भक्तितो मुने |
अहर्निशं शिवं तस्मात्स क्षीणाशेषपातकः || 35 ||
Sage, a man does not go to hell who remembers Lord Shiva by devotion day and night. Therefore his sins reduce to none.

Description of the nether worlds

पाताललोकवर्णनं नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः
Description of the nether worlds – Chapter 15



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



दिवार्करश्मयो यत्र न भवन्ति विधोर्निशि |
न शीतमातपो यत्र मणितेजोऽत्र केवलम् || 29 ||
भक्ष्यभोजान्नपानानि भुज्यन्ते मुदितैर्भृशम् |
यत्र न ज्ञायते कालो गतोऽपि मुनिसत्तम || 30 ||
Where there are no sun rays nor moon at night, where (there is) no heat nor cold, only (light is the) brilliance of jewels (is) here (in the nether worlds).
Eatable food and drinks are enjoyed gladly in plenty (large amounts). Best of the sages, (those places are) where time is unknown (there is no concept of time), (including) even the past.



Demons including Daityas (progeny of Diti) and Danavas (progeny of Danu) live in Rasatala. Below the Patala are the hells.

Description of the nether worlds

पाताललोकवर्णनं नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः
Description of the nether worlds – Chapter 15



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



अतलं वितलं चैव सुतलं च रसातलम् || 22 ||
तलं तलातलं चाग्र्यं पातालं सप्तमं मतम् |
भूमेरधः सप्त लोका इमे ज्ञेया विचक्षणैः || 23 ||
Atala and Vitala, Sutala and Rasatala, Tala (Mahatala), Talatala, and the main Patala, considered the seventh of these seven (nether) worlds below this world, should be known by the wise.

Importance of Purana

पुराणमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः
Purana importance/greatness description Chapter 13


सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



ये शृण्वन्ति कथां शंभोः सदा भुवनपावनीम् |
ते मनुष्या न मन्तव्या रुद्रा एव न संशयः || 23 ||
Those who listen to Lord Shiva's stories, which always make the world holier, should not be considered human beings; undoubtedly they are like Rudras (the Shiva element).



Compare with



ये शृण्वन्ति मुने शैवं पुराणं शास्त्रमुत्तमम् |
ते मनुष्या न मन्तव्या रुद्रा एव न संशयः || 15 ||


from Chapter 1 of the importance section (taken from Skanda Purana) before Vidyeshwara Samhita.



पापं संक्षीयते नित्यं धर्मश्चैव विवर्धते |
पुराणश्रवणाज्ज्ञानी न संसारं प्रपद्यते || 37 ||
By listening to Purana, sins shrink continuously and Dharma increases, (and) a knowledgeable person does not come back to the material world (take rebirth).

Importance of Purana

पुराणमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः
Purana importance/greatness description Chapter 13



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



ये शृण्वन्ति कथां शंभोः सदा भुवनपावनीम् |
ते मनुष्या न मन्तव्या रुद्रा एव न संशयः || 23 ||
Those who listen to Lord Shiva's stories, which always make the world holier, should not be considered human beings; undoubtedly they are like Rudras (the Shiva element).

Purana Importance

पुराणमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः
Purana importance/greatness description Chapter 13



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



पुराणश्रवणाच्छंभोर्निष्पापो जायते नरः |
भुक्त्वा भोगान्सुविपुलाञ्छिवलोकमवाप्नुयात् || 20 ||
By listening to Shiva Purana, a man becomes free from sin. After enjoying a lot of pleasures, (he) attains Shivaloka.

Penance

तपोमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नाम द्वादशोऽध्यायः
Penance importance description Chapter 12



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



तपसा प्राप्यते स्वर्गस्तपसा प्राप्यते यशः |
तपसा प्राप्यते कामस्तपः सर्वार्थसाधनम् || 40 ||
By penance one gets heaven, by penance one gets fame, by penance one's desires are fulfilled. Penance is the means to achieve everything.

Ramayana has several instances mentioning the greatness of penance. Narada tells Himalaya that Parvati should practise penance and Lord Shiva can even change her future.



जौं तपु करै कुमारि तुम्हारी | भाविउ मेटि सकहिं त्रिपुरारी ||
Penance is said to be the basis for everything, the universe including creation, maintenance and destruction. The message in the first two of the following three lines also repeats in Ramayana.



तपबल रचई प्रपंचु विधाता | तपबल बिष्नु सकल जग त्राता ||
तपबल संभु करहिं संघारा | तपबल सेषु धरइ महिभारा ||
तप आधार सब सृष्टि भवानी | करहि जाई तपु अस जियँ जानी ||

Food Donation

अन्नदानमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकादशोऽध्यायः
Importance of food donation Chapter 11



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



अन्नं प्रजापतिः साक्षादन्नं विष्णुः स्वयं हरः |
तस्मादन्नसमं दानं न भूतं न भविष्यति || 48 ||
कृत्वापि सुमहत्पापं यः पश्चादन्नदो भवेत् |
विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः स्वर्गलोकं स गच्छति || 49 ||
Food is Lord Brahma in visible form, food is Lord Vishnu, food is Lord Shiva himself. Therefore, there has never been and will never be donation as good as that of food.
If one becomes a donor of food even after commiting a grave sin, one gets liberated from all sins and goes to heaven.

Food Donation

अन्नदानमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकादशोऽध्यायः
Importance of food donation Chapter 11



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



अन्नदः प्राणदः प्रोक्तः प्राणदश्चापि सर्वदः |
तस्मादन्नप्रदानेन सर्वदानफलं लभेत् || 25 ||
A donor of food is said to be a donor of life and a donor of life is (said to be) a donor of everything. Therefore, one who gives food gets the fruits of donating everything.

Food Donation

अन्नदानमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकादशोऽध्यायः
Importance of food donation Chapter 11



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



सर्वेषामेव दानानामन्नदानं परं स्मृतम् |
सद्यः प्रीतिकरं हृद्यं बलबुद्धिविवर्धनम् || 17 ||
Of all kinds of donations, donation of food is considered to be the highest. (It is) immediately affection causing, pleasant, increases strength and intelligence.

Maya

शिवमायाप्रभाववर्णनं नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः
Description of the might of the illusory power of Lord Shiva – Chapter 4



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



ब्रह्मा च बहुवारं हि मोहितः शिवमायया |
अभवद्भोक्तुकामश्च स्वसुतायां परासु च || 27 ||
And Lord Brahma really many times (came) under the influence of Lord Shiva's illusory power and became desirous of his own daughter (Sandhya) as well as others' (daughters).



Only God himself has managed to scrape by with minimal influence of the illusory power.

Maya

शिवमायाप्रभाववर्णनं नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः
Description of the might of the illusory power of Lord Shiva – Chapter 4



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



शिवमायाप्रभावेणाभूद्धरि काममोहितः |
परस्त्रीधर्षणं चक्रे बहुवारं मुनीश्वर || 17 ||
By the might of Lord Shiva's illusory power, Lord Vishnu became confused/infatuated by desire. Great sage, (He) attacked/violated others' women many times.

Maya

शिवमायाप्रभाववर्णनं नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः
Description of the might of the illusory power of Lord Shiva – Chapter 4



सनत्कुमार उवाच |
Sanatkumar said (to sage Vyasa)



तन्माया परमा दिव्या सर्वत्र व्यापिनी मुने |
तदधीनं जगत्सर्वं सदेवासुरमानुषम् || 15 ||
Sage, His divine, highest, illusory power (Maya) is all pervading. The whole universe is dependent on (subject to) it, including Devas, demons and humans.