The different works known by the name of Puranas (old) are evidently derived from the myth-heroic stage of Hindu belief. The Puranas are commonly stated to be eighteen in number. It is said there are also eighteen Upa-Puranas or Minor Puranas-but the names of all these are not found. The principal eighteen Puranas are Brahma, Padma, Visnu, Siva, Bhagvata, Naradiya, Markandeya, Agni, Bhavisya, Brahma Vaivarta, Linga, Varaha, Skanda, Vamana, Kurma, Matsya, Garuda and Brahmanda. All these Puranas are classed into three groups according to the qualities which prevail in them. The Matsya Purana remarks that those in which glory of Hari or Visnu prevails are Sattvika; those in which the legends of Agni of Siva predominate are Tamasa and those which dwell most on the stories of Brahma are Rajasa. A noticeable change can be discerned in the Purana sin social rites and customs, religious traditions and moral ideals and manners from that of the Vedas and others. The Vedic hymns of creations, of praise, portraying incidents connected with some ancient kings, may be taken as the nucleus from which arose, the value of the Puranas can be minimized by calling their avowed theme. The presentation of the history of the Guptas upto the end of the 5th century A.D. the Puranas are a source of valuable information for the ancient period of Indian History. Prior to Bharat war, history can be reconstructed with the Data available from the puranas. The Garuda Purana is a Vaisnave Purana and hence can be termed as Sattvika Purana. It is enumerated in all the lists available in the Puranas, though these lists are not very ancient, yet they show the popularity of the Garuda Purana in the Paranic literature. Also the authors of Dharmasastric digests and philosophical works quote extensively from the Garuda-Purana, thus it holds a unique place among the Puranas. The present English translation by M.N. Dutt was written and published hundred years before. Shri M.N. Dutt translated into English many Puranas and the Garuda Purana was one of them. It was first published in the year 1908. then it was reprinted. Now publishing its English translation with Sanskrit verses. It is a medium size Purana consisting eight thousand verses. Accordings to M.N. Dutt the book comprises three Samhitas viz the Agastya Samhita, the Brhaspati Samhita and the Dhanvantari Samhita. Each one of those Samhitas would give it a permanent value, and accord to it an undying fame among the works of practical ethics or applied medicine. The Agastya Samhita deals with the formation, crystallization and distgisestive. Traits of the different precious gems and enumerates the names of the countries from which our fore-father used to collect these gems the cutting, polishing, setting and apprecising etc. of several kind of jems and dimond, as they were practiced in ancient India, cannot but be interesting to artists and lay men, and the scientific traders unbedded in the highly poetic accounts of these original gems. With the publication of this important Purana alongwith English translation from a rare book by Dr. M.N. Dutt will help the scholars and the devotees as well. Table of Contents: Preface to the New Edition Preface Chapters I. Discourse between Suta and Saunaka and other Rsis in the forest of Naimisa-suta promises to narrate the Garuda Puranam II. Sources of the Garuda Puranam-Visnu Charges Garuda to compose the Garuda Puranam III. Suta Describes the subjects dealt with in the Garuda Puranam IV. Order of Universal creation described by Narayana to Rudra V. Creation of the Prajapatis. The progeny of Daksa described VI. Re-incarnation of Daksa in the form of Prachetas-Origin of the different races of men, the progeny of Kasyapa described VII. Description of the sun-worship etc. as performed by the Swayambhu Manu VIII. Description of the mode of worshipping Visnu IX. The mode of spiritual initiation X. The mode of worshipping the goddess Laksmi XI. Description of the Nava-Vyuha form of worship XII. Description of the order to be observed in the course of worship XIII. The prayer of Visnu Panjaram XIV. A brief discourse on Yoga XV. Enumeration of one thousand epithets of visnu XVI. Description of the mode of meditation on Visnu as well as of the rite of sun-worship XVII. Description of another form of sun-worship XVIII. Mode of worshipping the death-conquering deity (Mrytyunjaya) XIX. The Garudi vidya which is the cure for all kinds of snake-bite XX. Mantra-cure (curative formulas) of snake-bite as narrated by Siva XXI. Mode of worshipping the Pancavaktra (five faced) Manifestation of Siva XXII. The mode of worshipping Siva XXIII. Description of anther form of Siva worship XXIV. The worship of Ganapati XXV. Sandal-worship Paduka puja described XXVI. The mode of performing the rites of Kara-nyasa (location of the energies of different divinities in the different limb by a votary by dint of occult and psychic force) XXVII. Rites for neutralizing the effects of snake venoms XXVIII. The mode the worshipping the Gopala manifestation of visnu XXIX. Mantras to be used in connection with the worship of Sridhara manifestation of Visnu XXX. Elaborate description of the mode of worship the Sridhara manifestation of Vishnu XXXI. Description of other forms of Visnu worship XXXII. Adoration of the five fundamental principles of the universe XXXIII. Worship of the divine discs (Sudarsnam) XXXIV. Hayagriva worship XXXV. The mode of worshipping the Hayagriva manifestation of Visnu XXXVI. Mode of performing the rite of Gayatri Nyasa XXXVII. Description of the glories of Gayatri XXXVIII. The mode of worshipping the deities, Durga, etc. XXXIX. Description of other form of sun-worship XL. Mahesvara worship XLI. Enumeration of diverse incantation, Mantra XLII. Description of investing a phallic emblem with sacred thread (Siva-pavitrarohanam) XLIII. Description of the rite of investing an image of Visnu with the holy thread (Visnu-pavitrarohanam) XLIV. Contemplation of embodied and dis-embodied God XLV. Characteristic marks of Salagrama Stones XLVI. Adoration of the deity presiding over homesteads (Visnu) XLVII. Essential fetures of a divine temple or of a palace XLVIII. Installations of divine images XLIX. Discourse on Yoga and acts of piety L. Discourses on charities and gift-makings, etc LI. Donations LII. Regulations of prayascittas (penitential rites) LIII. Traits of conduct of men marked by the several kinds of Nidhis LIV. Progency of Priya Vrata and incidental description of the Seven Islands of the Earth LV. Description of the Geographical situations of the different countries of the earth, as well as of India with its physical features LVI. Enumeration of the name of princes of the continent of Plaksa, etc. LVII. Cosmogony of Hell and the neither regions LVIII. Positions and dimensions of the sun and other planets LIX. Discourses on Astrology, presiding deities of the different planets and constellations of stars, situations of Yoginis on the different days of the fortnight etc. LX. Discourses on the period of influence of the different planes with that of the sun LXI. Influences of the moon in her different mansions LXII. Discourses of Lagnamana and determination of what one ought or ought not to do from the stable or mobile character of the lagna LXIII. A brief discourse on the auspicious and inauspicious marks on the persons of males LXIV. A brief discourse on the auspicious or in auspicious marks on the person of females LXV. Auspicious marks on men and women as disclosed by the science of Samudrikam LXVI. Description of the specific marks of Sala-grama, description of Tirthas, and of sixty countries such as Prabhasa LXVII. The science of Pavana Vijaya (conquest of breath) and auguring bad of evil from the direction of the breath wind LXVIII. (Agastya Samhita) Description of the origin of gems in the treatise on Ratna Pariksa (test of gems) by the holy Agastya LXIX. Tests of pearls LXX. Tests of Ruby LXXI. Tests of Emerald LXXII. Tests of Sapphires LXXIII. Tests of Lapis Lazui (Vaidurya) LXXIV. Tests of topas (Puspa-raga) LXXV. Tests of Karketana LXXVI. Test of Bhilsma-stone LXXVII. Tests of pulaka stones LXXVIII. Test of blood-stone LXXIX. Tests of crystals LXXX. Tests of corals LXXXI. A brief description of holy pools and sanctuaries LXXXII. Description of the sanctity of Gaya, and its early history LXXXIII. Description of different rites to be performed at different places at Gaya and their merits LXXXIV. Ablutions in the river Phalgu, merit of masing offerings of funeral cakes at Rudra. History of King Visala LXXXV. Merit of offering funeral cakes at Pretasila in Gaya LXXXVI. Merit of performing Sraddhas at Preta Sila LXXXVII. Enumeration of the names of fourteen manus and of the Devas and Saptarsis LXXXVIII. Annals of Ruci incidentally narrated in the discourse between Markandeya and Kraustika LXXXIX. Ruci hymnises the Pitris, who in their turn grant him a boon XC. Marriage of Ruci and birth of Raucya Manu XCI. Contemplation of Hari XCII. Contemplation of Hari and its process XCIII. Laws of virtue as promulgated by the holy Yajnavalkya XCIV. Initiation with the holy thread the study of the Vedas XCV. Duties of house-holders XCVI. Origin of mixed castes-the five great Yajnas, Sandhya-rites, duties of house-holders and members of different castes XCVII. Purifications of metalled articles XCVIII. Gift-making and charity XCIX. Mode of performing Sraddhas C. Worship of Vinayakas, Durga CI. Propitiation of malignant Planets CII. Duties of the order of forest dwelling hermits CIII. Duties of yatis CIV. Signs of sinful souls CV. Rites of atonement (Prayaschitta) CVI. Impurities and Purities CVII. A synopsis of the Dharma sastra by Parasara The Brihaspati Samhita CVIII. Synopsis of rules of conduct CIX. Advice on thrift and economy in the Nitisara CX. Advice as to the non-rejectment of certain goods CXI. Commendable traits in kings, etc. (in the Nitisara) CXII. Commendable traits in servants (in the Nitisara) CXIII. Injunctions as to the appointments of the honest and the erudite in the King’s Service, etc. CXIV. Injunctions as to the distinction of friends and enemies (in the Nitisara) CXV. Counsels by Shaunaka on forswearing bad wives, etc. (End of the Brihaspati Samhita) CXVI. Enumeration of the names of Vratas (vows and penances) Commenced CXVII. The ananga Trayodasi Vratam CXVIII. The Akhanda Dvadasi Vratam CXIX. Agastyatritiya Vratam CXX. The Rambha Trtiya Vratam CXXI. The Caturmasyam Vratam CXXII. The Masopavasa Vratam CXXIII. Kartika Vratas CXXIV. The Siva Ratra Vratam CXXV. The Ekadasi Vratam CXXVI. Visvedava Puja CXXVII. Bhaimi Ekadasi and Dvadasi, Vratam CXXVIII. Various Vratas described CXXIX. The Pratipad Vratas CXXX. Marica Saptami Vratas CXXXI. Rohini Astami Vratas etc CXXXII. The Sadgati Vratam, etc CXXXIII. Asokastami Vratas etc CXXXIV. Maha-Kausika Mantra CXXXV. The Viranavami Vratas,etc CXXXVI. The Sravana Dvadasi Vratam CXXXVII. The Damanaka Trayodasi Vratas CXXXVIII. Genealogy of royal Princes (solar race) CXXXIX. Genealogy of the princes of the lunar race CXL. Description of the race of Puru CXLI. Description of kings who came after Janamejaya CXLII. Incarnations of Visnu and the glory of nuptial fidelity of Sita described CXLIII. The Ramayanam CXLIV. Description of the Harivamasa CXLV. The Mahabharatam The Dhanvantari Samhita CXLVI. Description of the Nidanam of all the diseases CXLVII. The Nidanam of Fever CXLVIII. The Nidanam of Raktapittam (Haemorrhage) CXLIX. The Nidanam of Cough CL. The Nidanam dyspaksea CLI. The Nidanam of Hic cough CLII. The Nidanam of Pulmonary consumption CLIII. The Nidanam of Aversion of Food CLIV. The Nidanam of heart disease CLV. The Nidanam of diseases resulting from the excess or abuse of wine CLVI. The Nidanam of Haemorrhoids CLVII. The Nidanam of Dysentery CLVIII. The Nidanam of Stangury, etc. CLIX. The Nidanam of disease of the Urinary organs (Pramehas) CLX. The Nidanam of abscesses, etc. CLXI. The Nidanam of Ascited, etc. CLXII. The Nidanam of Chlorosis CLXIII. The Nidanam of Erysipelas CLXIV. The Nidanam of cutaneous affections (Kusthas) CLXV. The Nidanam of bodily parasites CLXVI. The Nidanam of diseases of the nervous system CLXVII. The Nidanam of Vata-Raktam CLXVIII. The Nidanam of Mukha-roga CLXIX. The Nidanam of diseases of the ears CLXX. The NidAnam of diseases of the nose CLXXI. The Nidanam of diseases of the eyes CLXXII. The Nidanam of disease of the head CLXXIII. The Nidanam of diseases of the female reproductive organs CLXXIV. The Nidanam of difficult labour CLXXV. The Nidanam of diseases peculiar to perturient women CLXXVI. The Nidanam of diseases peculiar to infant-life CLXXVII. The Nidanam of Syphilis CLXXVIII. The Nidanarn of Variola CLXXIX. The Nidanan of minor affections CLXXX. The Nidanarn of Fistual in Anas, etc. CLXXXI. The Nidanam of poisons CLXXXII. The Nidanam of Goitre, scrofula and glandular swellings CLXXXIII. The Nidanam of vomiting CLXXXIV. The Nidanam of Urticaria CLXXXV. The Nidanam of hula, neuralgic pain etc. CLXXXVI. The Nidanam of aphonia CLXXXVII. The Nidanam of Udavarta CLXXXVIII. The Nidanam of traumatic ulcers etc. CLXXXIX. The Nidanam of Sarira Vranas (idiopathic ulcers) CXC. The Nidanam of fractures CXCI. Medicinal recipes of inffalible efficacies CXCII. Medical treatment of fever, etc. CXCIII. Medical treatment of Sinus etc. CXCIV. Visnu Kavacha CXCV. Fulfillment of deceses in senenvisgod’s CXCVI. Visnudhara CXCVII. Various medicinal compounds disclosed by Hari to Garuda CXCVIII. Eulogy of Tripura CXCIX. The syantwdhava CC. The same continued CCI. The same continued CCII. The same continued CCIII. The same continued CCIV. The same continued CCV. Grammar CCVI. Grammar CCVII. Prosody CCVIII. Prosody CCIX. Prosody CCX. The same continued CCXI. Prosody CCXII. Prosody CCXIII. Dharmashastra CCXIV. Dharmashastra CCXV. Dharirtashastra CCXVI. Dharmashastra CCXVII. Dharmashastra CCXVIII. Dharmashastra CCXIX. Dharmashastra CCXX. Dharmashastra CCXXI. Dharmashastra CCXXII. The Prayaschittas CCXXIII. Yuga Dharma CCXXIV. Dissolution CCXXV. Results of Karma CCXXVI. Yoga CCXXVII. Yoga CCXXVIII. Devotion to Visnu CCXXIX. Devotion to Visnu CCXXX. Devotion to Visnu CCXXXI. Hymn to Narasingh CCXXXII. Meditation to God CCXXXIII. Mrtyavastaka Hymn CCXXXIV. Chakradhara Hymn CCXXXV. Vedanta and Samhkya knowledge of Brahman CCXXXVI. Vedanta and Samhkya CCXXXVII. Essence of Gita CCXXXVIII. Essence of Gita CCXXXIX. Brahma Gita CCXL. The eight essentials of Yoga, etc. the merit that may be acquired by hearing the narration of the Garuda Puranam etc. About the Editor: Prof. Pushpendra Kumar has retired from the University of Delhi-Sanskrit Deptt. After serving it for more than forty years. He served this Deptt. As lecturer, Reader and Professor and Head of the Deptt. More than 20 books are highlighting his acadmic merit. He has written more than seventy research articles. He has traveled widely in the European Universities for higher studies and lectures. Besides many honours and awards, He has been honoured by the 'Certificate of Honour' by the Presidend of India in the year. 2000 for his meritorious service for Sanskrit and for his scholarship. He specializes in the Puranas, Tantras, Buddhism, Indian Art, Epigraphy, Sanskrit Literature and Aesthetics. He is presently working on a major project - Cultural Heritage from the Puranas.
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