The Garuda Mahapuranam (2 Volumes.)

by Pushpendra Kumar and M.N. Dutt

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.