For a common man, understanding vedas is not an easy task. So Vyasa compiled and systematized the the essence of vedas into Puranas with sections and chapters. On the surface it looks simple like a mere fantasy, but actually they contain subtle truths on brahma sakshatkara or realization of the self.
The word purana comes from the Sanskrit word pura nava, which means always appearing new or fresh. The Puranas can also be classified based on the narration of five main distinguishing characteristics or 5 types of essential knowledge. They are
Sarga is about the original creation of the universe by the supreme Lord
Visarga or Pratisarga is about the periodical process of destruction and secondary re-creation by Lord Brahma
Manvantara describes the different eras or cosmic cycles and the reign of Manus
vamsa charitra describes ancient lineages, the histories of the solar (Surya Vamsha) and lunar (Chandra Vamsa) dynasties of Gods and sages
Vamshanucharita describes ancient histories and the genealogies of kings
Each of the Puranas differs in the material it covers. The Puranas are not entirely methodical in the information they provide, but have greater authority when viewed as a whole. Some Puranas and Stotrams like Vishnu Sahasranama or Lalitha Sahasranama or Lakshmi Ashtottara Satanama Stotram consists of three sections:
A prolog - which gives the background on why the Stotram was imparted. Vishnu Sahasranama was told to Yudhishthira by Bhishma.
Sthothram - The thousand names of Vishnu, organized in a poetic format in 107 stanzas, in the anushtup chandas, (a meter with eight syllables in a quarter), with two quarters per line, and two lines per stanza.
The phala sruti or fruits of hearing, recaps the benefits that can accrue by chanting the Stotram.
Dasa Lakshanas of Bhagavatam
Among all the Vedic scriptures, Bhagavatam is compared to be the ripened fruit of the desire tree, the essence of all scriptures (akhila-sruti-saram). Vyasa compiled it in the maturity of his knowledge. The only qualification for enjoying the nectar of knowledge is to proceed step by step cautiously, chapter by chapter, one after another. Do not jump forward haphazardly as with an ordinary book.
The ten classical Characteristics is described in verse (SB 2.10.1).
atra sargo visargas ca sthanam posanam utayah manvantaresanukatha nirodho muktir asrayah
All aspects of knowledge important for the human beings, summarized in the above ten categories, are more vividly described in specific cantos. The ultimate purpose of the first nine topics is to help us understand the tenth topic, Asraya Tatwa. Without studying the first nine topics, one might perceive the pastimes of Krishna in the tenth canto as ordinary.
The first and second cantos form a perfect prelude to the rest of the Bhagavatam.
The Third and the Fourth Cantos describe the topics of sarga and visarga, through the conversation of Vidura and Maitreya. The Third Canto also describes time, embryology, family life, Sankhya, bhakti-yoga, astanga-yoga, jnana-yoga, the spiritual and the material worlds, Vaikunta, the household life of Kardama Muni and Devahuti, and the teachings of Lord Kapila etc.
Sthanam in Fifth Canto describes the positioning of various planetary systems within the structure of the universe for the inhabitation of various living entities. The majesty and grandeur of the Lord’s creation is unfathomable for an ordinary human. It is recommended that one faithfully adhere to the teachings the scriptures and pursue the spiritual path. The canto concludes with a description of various hellish planets.
Posanam The Sixth Canto is primarily centred on the theme of posanam or protection offered by the Lord to his devotees like the episode of Ajamila. The canto concludes with the transformation of Diti and Indra by bhakti.
Uti or inclination to act is described in the 7th Canto. The auspicious and inauspicious inclinations of the jivas lead them to perform pious and impious acts, which becomes the cause of their future happiness and distress in various births. Suddha bhakti or pure devotional service of Prahlada and misra-bhakti or mixed devotional service done by varnasrama followers are explained in the last five chapters.
Manvantara or the reign of the Manus is presented in the 8th canto. Manus are the administrators of the universe, appointed by the Supreme Lord. There are fourteen Manus who rule in one day of Lord Brahma (kalpa) that spans over 1000 chatur yugas. In every manvantara, there are six kinds of personalities who manage various functions of the universe. They are: the Manu, the sons of Manu, the demigods, Indra, the seven great sages and the Manvantara avatara of the Lord. Six types of main persons in each of the fourteen manvantaras (past, present and future) in the current day of Brahma are elaborated. The Lord’s protection aspect is vividly described in the episodes of Gajendra Moksha, Samudra Manthan and Matsya avatara.
Isanukatha The stories of various devotees and incarnations in sun dynasty and the moon dynasty are there in the 9th canto. Lord Ram appeared in moon dynasty and Lord Krishna in sun dynasty. However glorious a dynasty may be, none of its kings or members forever enjoy its opulence. Only the bhakti rendered with a sincere heart remains with the self as an eternal asset.
Nirodha : The 12th canto describes the topic of the winding up of the creation or returning back to god at the end of Brahma’s day or naimittika pralaya. Nirodha is the phase when Lord turns His eyes away from the creation and goes to sleep.
Mukti Uddhav Gita and the highly philosophical conversations between King Nimi and Nava Yogendras (9 sons of Rshabhadeva) is there in the 11th Canto. The dialogue between Krishna and his dear friend Uddhav, just before Krishna left for Vaikunta is Uddhav Gita. The destruction of Yadu dynasty by the curse of the sages is also described here.
Asraya The 10th canto (dasama skandam) vividly describes the appearance and pastimes of Lord Krsna in Vrndavana, Mathura, Dvaraka, Hastinapura and other places.
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM IN A NUT SHELL
The following is a brief outline of the twelve cantos of the Bhagavatam that represent the bodily limbs of Lord Krishna and present the above ten topics.
The First Canto and the Second Cantos form a perfect prelude to the rest of the Bhagavatam by introducing the reader to its key philosophical concepts and prominent characters. They also establish Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and bhakti-yoga as the topmost spiritual path, the birth and activities of Pariksit Maharaja and the exclusive dependence of devotees like Uttara, Pandavas, Kunti and Bhisma on Lord.
The Fifth Canto describes the dynasty of Priyavrata, the other son of Manu. Priyavrata’s dynasty consists of several notable personalities like Agnidhra, Nabhi, Lord Rsabhadeva and Bharata in his three lives as a King, a deer and a brahmana. All these episodes culminate in the glorification of bhakti. The latter half of this canto discusses sthanam,
The Seventh Canto describes uti or inclination, which is of two types – auspicious and inauspicious. The auspicious and inauspicious inclinations of the jivas lead them to perform pious and impious acts, which becomes the cause of their future happiness and distress in various births.
The Seventh Canto presents two types of bhakti: (i) suddha-bhakti or pure devotional service of Prahlada (for whom Lord Nrsimhadeva appeared and killed Hiranyakasipu), in the first ten chapters, and (ii) misra-bhakti or mixed devotional service done by varnasrama followers, in the last five chapters. In misra-bhakti, bhakti is mixed with karma or jnana as a major or minor element.
The Eighth Canto vividly presents the theme of manvantara or the reign of the Manus. Manus are the administrators of the universe. There are fourteen Manus who rule in one day of Lord Brahma (kalpa) that spans over 1000 chatur-yugas. In every manvantara, there are six kinds of personalities who manage various functions of the universe. They are: the Manu, the sons of Manu, the demigods, Indra, the seven great sages (Saptarishis) and the Manvantara avatara of the Lord. In all episodes of Gajendra, Samudra Manthan, Bali Maharaja’s deliverance by Lord Vamanadeva and the pastimes of Matsya avatara, the Lord’s protection aspect is vividly described.
The Ninth Canto predominantly describes isanukatha, or the topics of the Lord and His devotees. This canto describes the stories of various devotees and the Lord’s incarnations in the sun dynasty (Surya Vamsha) and the moon dynasty (Chandra Vamsha). Some prominent kings of the Surya Vamsha were Sudyumna, Ambarisa, Sagara, Iksvaku and Lord Ramacandra. The Chandra Vamsha has kings like Pururava, Yayati, Yadu etc., and Lord Krishna appeared in this dynasty. However glorious a dynasty may be, none of its kings or members forever enjoy its opulence. Only the bhakti one has rendered with a sincere heart remains with the self as an eternal asset.
The Tenth Canto vividly describes the topic of asraya, or the Supreme shelter Sri Krishna. The appearance and pastimes of Lord Krishna in Vrndavana, Mathura, Dvaraka, Hastinapura and other places, Krishna’s unlimited transcendental attributes, his amazing reciprocations with the love of his devotees and his compassionate deliverance of those who are inimical to him, as described in this canto are the worthiest subject matters for one’s contemplation. They constitute the most precious gift for the devotees to absorb themselves in Krishna’s glories.
The Eleventh Canto prominently describes the topic of mukti or liberation. This canto mainly deals with the subject matter of the disappearance of Lord Krishna and the enigmatic destruction Yadava dynasty by the curse of the sages. It contains the highly philosophical conversations between King Nimi and Nava-yogendras, and Lord Krishna and Uddhava (Uddhava-gita) that enlighten us on deeper truth of this universe, various spiritual paths and the supreme spiritual path of bhakti.
The Twelfth Canto describes the topic of nirodha or destruction. There are four types of destruction (or pralaya) namely nitya pralaya or constant deterioration of material objects that happens at every moment; naimittika pralaya or the destruction of planets at the end of Brahma’s day; prakrtika pralaya or destruction of universe at the end of Brahma’s life; and atyantika pralaya or the final destruction of the conditioned soul’s false ego that causes liberation. In front of these great destructions or changes, the small losses we experience in material world including death, are actually insignificant.
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