CHAPTER ONE
Introductory
1. I bow to (goddesses) Sri (Laksmi), Sarasvati, Gauri (Parvati) and gods Ganesa, Skanda, I$vara (Siva), Brahma, Vahni, Indra and other celestials and Vasudeva (Krsna).
2. Saunaka and other sages (staying at the sacred forest) of Naimisa, conducting a sacrifice devoted to Hari (Visnu), welcomed Siita (the reciter of ancient lores) on his arrival there after a pilgrimage.
The sages said :
3. OSata ! You are adored by us. Tell us the quintessence of all things, by knowing which alone one gets omniscience. Sita said :
4. The illustrious Visnu (who is) the Supreme Being (and) the Creator, is the quintessence. By know ng that ‘I am Brahman’, one gets omniscience.
5. Two Brahkmans are to be known, the Sabdabrahman (the Vedas) and Parabrahman (the Supreme Spirit). The Atharvant Sruti (Mundakopanisad) refers to this as the two (kinds of) knowledge to be learnt.
6. Mysclf, (sage) Suka (son of sage Vyasa), (sage) Paila (disciple of sage Vyasa) and others bowed Vyasa having resorted to the hermitage at (holy) Badarika$rama. He imparted. to us the quintessence (of all things).
Vyasa said:
7. O siita, listen in the company of Suka and others what Vasistha has said to me about the excellent quintessence of the Brafiman, when he was requested by the sages.
Vasistha said : ° 8. O Vyisa, Listen, in entirety, to the two (kinds of) knowi.-
2 Agni Purdna edge, which (god) Agni narrated to me in the company of the sages and the celestials.
9. The excellent Purdna (known as) the Agneya (or Agni) and the two (kinds of) knowledge, Pard (the superior) and Apara (the inferior) signifying respectively the knowledge about the Brahman and the knowledge about the Rgveda and so on, which satisfies all the celestials (will be narrated to you).
10. The Purdna spoken by Agni and designated as the Agneya by Brahma and which gives bhukti (enjoyment) and mukti (release from mundane existence) for those who read it or hear it (will be narrated to you).
11. Beingrequested by the sages (I will also describe) (god) Visnu in the form of the destructive Fire at the end of the world (who is) the effulgent Brahman (and) the most Supreme Being (who is) worshipped by means of knowledge and action (religious rites and so on).
Vasistha said :
12. O Brahman (Agni), point out to me the masterly way of crossing the ocean of mundane existence, by knowing the quintessence of which knowledge one becomes omniscient. Agni said :
13. Visnu is the destructive Fire at the end of the world (in the form of)Rudra (Siva). I shall tell you the essence of knowl-
edge (in the form of) this Purdpa, which represents all learning and is the cause of all things.
14. (Lord) Visnu, who assumes the form of a fish, a tortoise (and other beings), is the cause of the primary creation, the secondary creation, the genealogy of the sages, the cycles of Manu-periods and the genealogy of the kings.
15-17. O Twice-born ! (Lord) Visnu (is the cause of) the two kinds of knowledge Pard (the superior) and Aperd (the inferior). Here the Apard is represented by the Rgveda, Yajurveda, Sdmaveda, Atharvaveda, the six supplementary texts, (namely)— Siksa (phonetics), Kalpa (rules governing rituals), Vydkarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymological science), (thescience dealing with) the movement of the luminary bodies, Ckandovidhdna (metrics), Mimdmsa (investigation of the interpretation of the ritual of the Vedas), Dharmasdstra (law -books), Purdpas (18 in
1.18—-2.6 3 number), Nydya (logical philosophical system), Vaidya (medical science), Gandharva (science of music), and Arthasdstra (polity). The Para-Vidya (superior knowledge) is that through which the Brahman is known.
18, I shall narrate to you (that Purdpa) which was told to me by Visnu and the celestials by Brahma and which deals with that invisible, incomprehensible, not having a cause for itself and eternal (form of Visnu) which is the cause of the forms such as the fish and others.
CHAPTER TWO
Manifestation of Visnu as Fish
Vasistha said :
1. O Brahmi ! Describe unto me the manifestations of Visnu, such as the Fish etc., which are the cause of creation. Also narrate to me the Agni Purdna as heard from Vispu in the days of yore.
Agni said :
2. O Vasistha ! I shall describe to you the manifestation of Hari as a Fish. Listen. The manifestations are for the destruction of the wicked and for the protection of the pious.
3. At the end of the past kalpa (of 432 million years), there was a periodical dissolution. Brahma was its instrumental cause. O sage ! the ecarth and the people were submerged under the rising water.
4-5. Vaivasvata Manu was practising penance for gaining objects of enjoyment and for release from mundane existence.
Once when he was offering waters of libation in the (river) Krtamala, a small fish came in the waters in his folded palms. As he desired to throw it into the waters, itsaid ‘O excellent man ! do not throw me away.
6. Now I have fear from the crocodiles (and others).” Having heard this (Vaivasvata Manu) put it into a vessel. When
4 Agni Purano it had grown there in size, it requested him, “Get me a bigger vessel”’.
7. Having heard these words, the king put the fish in a bigger vessel. Growing there again in size it requested the king, “O Manu ! Get me a bigger place”.
8. When it was put into a tank, it soon grew in size as big as it (the tank) and said, “Get me to a bigger place”. Then (Manu) put it into the ocean.
9. Inamoment,itgrew insize extending toa lakh of yojanas (one yojana 8 or 9 miles). Seeing that wonderful fish, Manu got surprised and said :
10. “Who are you, but Visnu ? O Narayana (Vispu) I salute you. Why do you stupefy me with your illusory power, O Janirdana (Visnu)”.
11. Having heard the words of Manu, the Fish replied Manu who had been engaged in the protection (of the world), ““I have manifested for the protection of this universe and for the destruction of the wicked.”
12-13. On the seventhday, the ocean would flood the earth. Having put the seeds (of creation) etc. in the boat that would approach you, youwould spend the night (of 1000 mortal years) of Brahmai on it being encircled by the seven sages. (You) bind this boat to my horn with the big serpent.”’.
14, Saying thus, the fish disappeared. Manu, who was waiting for the appointed hour, boarded the boat as the ocean commenced to swell.
15. The fishnow appeared with a single golden horn of one million ygjanas in length. He tied the boat to its horn.
16-17. After having praised it with adoration, he heard from the fish the Purdna known as the Matsya which is capable of destroying the sins. Kesava (Visnu) killed the demon Hayagriva,t the destroyer of the Vedas of Brahman and thus protected the vedic mantras. And when the Vardhakalpa (one of the periods of time) set in, Hari (Visnu) assumed the form of a tortoise.
1. Hayagriva was the name of a powerful demon, who carried away the Vedas during Deluge. He was killed by Visgu manifesting s a fish and the Vedas were reacued. Bhag. P. VII1. xxiv. 8 and 57 P. Index TTL.:p. 742.
3.1.9 5
CHAPTER THREE
Manifestation of Visnu as a Tortoise Agni said : 1. Ishall describe unto you (now) about the manifestation (of Visnu) as a tortoise, by hearing which one’s sins will be destroyed. Indays of yore the celestial gods were defeated by the
-demons in a battle between them.
2. Onaccount of the curse of sage Durvasas,! the celestials were deprived of all their prosperity. Then they praised Visnu who was (reclining) in the milky ocean and said, ‘‘Protect us from the demons”’.
3. Harisaid to Brahma and others, ‘“You make a treaty of peace with the demons for churning the ocean for securing ambrosia.
4. In the interest of an important work even the enemies should be sought for union. I will make you get the ambrosia and not the demons.
5. Making the (Mount) Mandara as the churning rod and (the serpent) Vasuki as the rope, you vigilantly churn the milky ocean with my help”.
6. Concluding an agreement with the demons as suggested by Visnu, (the celestials) came to the milky ocean. The celestials began to churn the ocean (from thatside) where the tail of the serpent was,
7. The celestials who were afflicted by the sighs of the serpent, were comforted by Hari (Visnu). As the ocean was being churned the mountain being unsupported entered into the water.
8. Then Visnu assumed the form of a tortoise and supported the (Mount) Mandara. From the milky ocean which was being churned, first came out the poison known as Halakala.
9. That poison being retained by Hara (Siva) in his neck, Siva became (known to be) Nilakantha (blue-necked). Then the goddess Varuni (The female energy of the celestial god
1. Name of anirascible sage, son of Sage Atri and Anasilyd. Once he met a Vidyidhara maid with a garland. He took that garland and presented it to Indra. Indraputiton his clephant, which in turn threw it on the ground and trampled upon it. Enraged at this the sage cursed him that he would lose all bis fortune. See Vi.P. L. ix. 1 fI.; P. Index I1. p. 106,
6 Agni Purdpa Varuna), the Pdrijdta (tree) and the Kaustubha (gem) came out of the ocean.
10. Then came out the (celestial) kine and the nymphs. Then came out Laksmi, who became the consort of Hari (Vignu). Beholding her and adoring her all the celestials regained their lost prosperity.
11. Then Dhanvantari, (a form of Visnu) and founder of the (science of) Ayurveda rose up holding a water-pot full of ambrosia.
12. Taking theambrosia from his hands the demons Jambha and others having given half of it to the celestials went away with the other half. Then Vispu assumed the form of beautiful damsel.
13. Having seen that beautiful form, the demons became fascinated and said, “O fair-faced one ! Be our wife, take this ambrosia and make us drink it.”
14-15. Hari (Vignu) said, “Let it be so’’, and took it from them and made the celestials drink it. As Rahu assumed the form of the Moon and drank a portion, he was detected by the Sun and the Moon and was brought to the notice of (Visnu). His head was severed by his enemy Hari (Visnu). That severed head of Rahu then said to Hari, the bestower of gifts (by whose grace) it had attained immortality.
16. ““When the intoxicated Rahu would seize the Sun and the Moon, may the charities made on that occasion be imperishable.”
17. Visnu in the company of all the immortals said, “Be it s0”’ and cast off his female form. He was then requested by Hara to show that form (again).
18. (Lord) Hari (Visgu) showed the feminine form to Rudra (Siva). Sambhu (Siva) being captivated by the illusory power, renouncing Gauri (Pirvati) sought that feminine form.
19. Becoming nude and behaving like a mad man, he held the damsel by her hair. She got herself freed and ran away. He too followed her.
20. Wherever the seminal fluid of Hara dropped, there came into being sacred places of lingas and gold.
21. Then knowing her as illusory, Hara (Siva) assumed his original form. Then Hari (Visnu) told Siva, “O Rudra (Siva) My illusory power has been conquered by you.
3.23—4.1-4 7
22-23. There is no other male on the earth besides you, who is capable of conquering this illusory power of mine.”” Then the demons, who had not got the ambrosia were defeated by the celestials in battle. The celestials got back to their celestial home. One who reads this account goes to the celestial region.
CHAPTER FOUR
Manifestations of Visnu as the Boar
1. I describe (unto thee) the manifestation as a Boar (which) removes (one’s) sins. Hiranyaksa! was a demon chief. He conquered the celestials and got established in the heavens.
2. Visnu being praised by the celestials (who had) gone (to him), (he) assumed the form as Yajfiavaraha (boar). Having killed that demon along with the (other) demons (he made the earth) devoid of thorns (difficulties).
3-4. (That) Hari, the protector of righteousness and the celestials (then) disappeared. Then (the demon) Hiranyaka§ipu,? brother of Hiranyaksa after conquering the celestials (was grabbing a share of the offerings) exercised control over all the celestials. (Visnu) assumed the form of Narasirhha (human body with lion’s face) (and) killed him along with the (other) demons.
1. Hiranyiksa, a demon, was one of the sons of Kadyapa and Diti. He waxed cloquent and entered the underworld in search of Visnu. Vigpu assumed the form of a boar and after severe combat slew the demon. See P. Index 111. C. 774.
2. Hiranyaka$ipu, a demon, was the other son of Kasyapa and Diti. He had got a boon that he could not be killed either by a man or by a beast or during the day or the night or inside or outside the house. He conquered the celestials. His son Prahlida was a devotee of Vignu. All the attempts of Hiranyakadipu to wean Prahlida from his devotion to Visnu were of no- avail. Hiranyakadipu subjected Prahlida to many ordeals. Prahlida emerged unscathed. The desperate Hiranyakadipu challenged Prahlida whether that Visnu would be present everywhere and Prahlida could show him in the pillar in front of them and kicked the pillar, Vispu manifested in the form of a man with lion’s face from that pillar and killed Hiranyakasipu placing him on his. lap and at the thresh-hold during the twilight. See P. Index I11. pp. 769-70.
3 Agns Purdna 5-7. (He) re-established the celestials in their original places and was praised by the celestials. Once in the battle between the celestials and the demons, the celestials were defeated by (demon) Bali' and other demons (and) were driven away from the heaven (and) sought refuge in Hari (Visnu). Having given refuge to the devas he being praised by Aditi (wife of the latter) (and mother of the celestials) and Kasyapa (a sage) became a Dwarf (as a son) of Aditi (and) went to the sacrifice (performed by Bali) (and) recited the Vedas at the royal gates of Bali the sacrificer.
8-9. Having heard him reciting the Vedas, the bestower of the wanted things (Bali) said to the Dwarf in spite of being obstructed by Sukra (the preceptor of the demons), “Whatever (you) desire I shall give (you)”. The Dwarf asked Bali, “‘Get (me) three feet of space for the sake of the preceptor. (Bali) said to him, “I shall give (you)”.
10-11. When the water was poured on the hand the Dwarf became a Giant (and) measured the worlds of Bhih, Bhuvah and Svar with the three strides and (sent) Bali to Sutala (a nether world) and (then) Hari (Visnu )gave the worlds to Sakra (Indra). Sakra (Indra) praised Hari (Visnu) along with the celestials (and) remained happy as the ruler of the world.
12-13. *“I shall describe (unto you) the manifestation as Parasurama.” “Hear, O twice-born’’ | Considering the ksatriyas (ruling clan) as haughty, Hari (Visnu), the protector of the celestials and the brahmins manifested as Bhargava, son of Jamadagni and Renuka and proficient in arms for removing the pressure on the earth and for the sake of peace. [Manifestation of Visnu as Para$urama ]
14. Kartavirya became a king by the grace of Dattatreya (considered as a manifestation of the Trinity as son of Atri and Anasiiya). He had thousand arms. He was the lord of the entire world. (Once) he went for hunting.
1. Bali was a powerful demon. He was a son of Virocana and grandson of Prahlida. Being oppressed by him, the celestials sought refuge in Vispu., In deference to their wishes, Visgu assumed the form of a dwarf and approached Bali and requested him to give as much earth as he could cover in three steps. Bali readily conceded to his request. The dwarfsoon grew into a mighty form, covered the earth and heaven in two strides and as the third stride placed his foot on the head of Bali and subdued him. See Ram. I. xxvii.; P. Index II. pp. 469-70 R
4.20—5.1-3 9
15, (He) being tired, was invited by the sage Jamadagni. “The king was fed along with his retinue (by the sage) by the grace of the Kamadhenu (divine cow).
16-20. (The king) sought for the Kamadhenu. When he
(the sage) did not give (the cow) the king took it away. Then Rama (Para$urama) cut off (the king’s) head with his axe in the battle. The cow returned to the hermitage. Jamadagni was killed by the sons of Kartavirya on account of revenge, when (Parasu) Rama had gone to the forest. Seeing his father slain (and) getting angry on account of the loss of his father the great man made the earth devoid of the warrior clan for 21 generations. Making out five pits (kunda) at Kuruksetra and satisfying his ‘manes, having given the earth to Kasyapa, (he) stationed himself at the Mahendra mountains. (One) who hears (the story
-of ) the manifestations as a Fish, a Boar, a Lion and Rama (Para- $urama) goes to the celestial regions.
CHAPTER FIVE
Manifestation of Visnu as Rama :
.Agni said :
1. T shall describe (unto you) the (story of) Ramaiyana, as it (was) once described byNarada to Valmiki (and which) if read in that manner yields enjoyment and release (from mun-
-dane existence). JNdrada said :
2. Brahma (was born) from the lotus in the navel of Visnu. (Sage) Marici (was) the son of Brahma. (Sage) Kasfayapa (was) then (born) from Marici. The Sun (god) (and) Vaivasvata Manu (were born successively in the line).
3. Then from him (Vaivasvata Manu), Ikgviku (was born). Kakutstha (was born) in his line. Raghu (was the son) of Kakutstha. Aja (was born) to him. Then Dasaratha {was born).
10 Agni Purdno
4-7. Hari (Vispu) manifested himself in the four (forms) for the sake of the annihilation of Ravana and others. Rama was born from Das$aratha to Kausalya, Bharata to Kaikeyi and Laksmana and Satrughna to Sumitra simultaneously from partaking of the sweet gruel obtained from (the performance) of the sacrifice of the father. The king being requested by (the sage) Viévamitra for the annihilation of those who impede (the performance) of the sacrifices sent Rama and Laksmana along with the sage. Rama who had gone (with the sage) (and) was taught in the use of the weapons (astra® and fastra)? (became) the killer of (the demoness) Tataka.?
8. (Rama) made (demon) Marica* stupefied by the missile (known as) Manava and led him far away. The valiant killed also (the demon) Subahu, the destroyer of sacrifices along with his army.
9. Residing at the (place) Siddhaérama® along with (the sages) Vi§vamitra and others, (Rama) went along with his brother to see the sacrifice (test for prowess) of Maithila (King Janaka).
10-12. At the instance of (the sage) Satinanda® and on account of the glory of Vi§vamitra, that sage being shown due respects by the king at the sacrifice and Rama being informed. sportively pulled the bow and broke it. (King) Janaka gave Sita, the girl not born of the womb, and associated with a prize bid, to Rama. And when the parents had come, Rama also
1-2. The word astra denotes a weapdn discharged along with the repetition. of the mystic syllables, whereas ‘fastra’ is any ordinary missile.
8. Tatakd was a female fiend, daughter of Suketu. She was the wife of Sunda and mother of Mirica. She had been changed into a fiend by the sage Agastya when she had disturbed his austerities.
Although Rama was at first reluctant to raise his bow against a woman, she was later killed by him, at the instance of Vi§vimitra, when she disturbed the sacrificial performances of Visvimitra. See Rim. I.xv-xxvi.
4. Mairica was a demon, son of Sunda and Tataki. He was the uncle of” Ravana. Ram. l.xiv. 26-27 :
5. Siddhaérama was the place where Visnu manifested as the Dwarf to subdue the demon Bali, and also where the aspirants realized their ambitions. See Ram. I. xxix.
6. Satinandawastheson of sage Gautama and Ahalya and was the familypriest of Janaka. See Ram. IJi.1. ‘
5.13—6.1-8 11 married that Janaki (Sita). In the same way Laksmana (also married) Urmila.
13-14. Then Satrughna and Bharata married Srutakirti and Mandavi, the two daughters of the brother of Janaka. Rama after conquering Jamadagni (Para$urama, son of Jamadagni) went to Ayodhya with (sage) Vasistha and others and Bharata with Satrughna went towards (the country of) Yudhajit (uncle of Bharata).