After the recitation and recording of the entire Kalika
Puranam in this blog, there developed an intense desire to recite and record
the entire Vishnu Puranam and make it available to all devotees so the feeling
of being an audience to the Rishi Himself is obtained. By the Divine Will of
Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Maha Lakshmi, Sri Maha Saraswati, Sri Maha Kali Devi, Sri
Kanchi Maha Periyava, Sri Dr. G. Krishna Kumar and All the Divine Elevated Souls,
here is the Original Entire Vishnu Puranam recited in beautiful Sanskrit for
the common good of all. This set of 6 posts represents a major entry in
this blog. This effort has taken more than a year to complete. This is
especially useful if one wants to undertake a “Shravana Vratam” ( loosely
defined as an “auspicious austere offering of devotion by listening” ) to Sri Maha
Vishnu by listening to the entire Puranam. Or one could listen to individual
chapters here and there depending upon one’s inclination. As in other audio in
this blog site, this is a humble offering by Adiyen- the humble servant here – the audio is not professionally
recorded.
And now the details. This presentation comprises of 5,479 verses
covering 126 chapters. Because of the sheer volume, there are a total of 6
parts here each representing an Amsha (Part)(Book). The total hours of audio
ends up being 15 hours, 22 minutes and 37 seconds. Some chapters are short and
some are long. If one is simply listening for heavenly pleasure or for
individual meritorious chapters, then individual chapters may be listened to (
some exceptions exist and they are detailed as and when needed, since one cannot
break away from a story partially ). However, if a “vratam” is undertaken (
either with a formal “sankalpam”(vow) or simply a mental desire ) , then one
needs to plan ahead. The vratam can be planned to be completed in 126 days at
the rate of one chapter a day or in 14 days at the rate of 9 chapters a day or
in 9 weekends at the rate of 14 chapters every weekend or any other time combination
period. Extended periods are not preferred because so many worldly hurdles may
crop up thereby introducing anxiety. It is advisable to peruse through FIRST by
way of timing of each section, listen to one or two chapters and plan well in
advance and of course pray for the success of the mission. Adiyen has performed this vratam in 15 days.
The number of shlokams and the audio time of each
chapter is given individually, along with restrictions if any regarding
necessity of keeping chapters together. A very brief description
of each chapter is also given, so one has some idea of what is being listened
to. While listening, because of the tremendous level of peace that ensues, the
body may tend to get so relaxed that one might fall asleep; to avoid this,
please ensure plenty of sleep is given to the body ahead of time. To get the
most benefit, try to pay attention to the words even if not fully understood.
Understanding is great but not necessary; devotion is more important. One MUST
sit and listen; per Srimad Devi Bhagawatham, one cannot lie down and
listen, unless you are sick and / or handicapped. One needs to shower clean, (
if showering cannot be done because of sickness, apply Thiru Namam, Vibhuti or
Kumkumam ), wear clean clothes and light a lamp and offer something to Sri Maha
Vishnu every day that the vratam is followed; it could be some formal food,
fruits, raisins, milk or at least some sugar. If you are listening in the car,
then a chapter CANNOT be stopped without completing completely, even if your “destination”
has been reached. If there is a requirement to keep chapters together, then
that MUST be followed also. Please offer the HIGHEST level of Respect and
Devotion that is possible. This is a POWERFUL treatise, full of POTENT mantras
and should NOT be taken lightly.
Being not qualified to advise whether women who choose to
undertake the vratam can continue during days of “cycles”, they are hereby
advised either to seek the advice of the learned or try to schedule ahead of
time to avoid such periods completely.
The presentation here is ONLY the original Sanskrit
shlokams that are hundreds of years old and no copyrights cover these. If
interested in knowing the meanings of these shlokams, there are some wonderful
Books available: (a) for English translation one is highly recommended to
purchase the Book “Vishnu Puranam – Sanskrit with English Translation by H.H.Wilson;
Edited by K.L.Joshi” by Parimal Publications – this is available from http://exoticindiaart.com – the ISBN is: 978-81-7110-212-9. Translations in other languages may also be available.
This is stated only as a reference and
helpful suggestion; there is NO financial commissions, incentives or commercial
motivation behind these recommendations - NOTHING. These publishers are
performing Divine Service by translating these ancient gems of shlokams. If any
Book is purchased, one must place the Book with reverence in a sacred area
since it contains Divine mantras and represents the Deity Himself.
Downloading Files
Note: This note is NOT repeated in the other parts of this set.
NOTE: BECAUSE SOME OF THE AUDIO FILES
IN CHAPTERS ARE VERY LARGE FILES, YOU WILL HAVE TO DOWNLOAD AND THEN LISTEN. On
mobile devices and some computers, you may get the message -- This file is too
large for Google to scan, download anyway? -- You will have to answer
"YES" and then listen after download. On some computers, when you hit
the play button, if nothing seems to happen, click the Download arrow at the
top, click download anyway and then listen. Sorry for the inconvenience -- but
these are big files and praise to Sri Maha Vishnu -- His Grace is
magnificent !
( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)
And Now the Audio
of Sri Vishnu Puranam:
Book1:
Ch 1: 35 Verses: 5 minutes 41 seconds: Size: 5 MB
Brief:
Brief obeisance to Lord Vishnu by Maharishi Parashara, the grandson of Sage
Vasishta, who is questioned by disciple Maitreya as to the substance of the
world, its elements, Gods, Manus, time periods such as Manvantaras, duties of
various castes, etc. Parashara recollects the boon given to him by Maharishi
Pulastya, everything that was said to him by Pulastya and Vasishta and promises
to impart them to Maitreya.
Book 1: Ch 2: 68
Verses: 10 minutes 5 seconds: Size: 9 MB
Brief: Parashara praises Lord Vishnu, the support and
substratum of all things, the unchanged, imperishable Purushottama, One who
cannot be comprehended by the senses; birthless and deathless known as Vasudeva,
colorless and formless and is the Chief Principle and Spirit ( Pradhaana and
Pumaan). The concept of Intellect, Ego and the senses is then dealt with in
this chapter.
Book
1: Ch 3: 28 Verses: 4 minutes 10 seconds: Size: 4 MB
Brief:
Brief description of the units of time from seconds (blinking of eye) to
Kalpas.
Book 1: Ch 4: 52 Verses: 8 minutes 36 seconds: Size: 8 MB
Brief: Narayana first assumes the form of fish, tortoise and
then a boar and raises Prthvi, Mother Earth. Verse 12 onwards is praise of
Vishnu by Prthvi.
Book
1: Ch 5: 65 Verses: 9 minutes 41 seconds: Size: 9 MB
Brief:
Primary creation by Vishnu in the form of Brahma; immovable things created
first from absolute darkness; then animals, beasts, Gods, Rakshasaas, Yakshaas,
Pishachas, Sarpas, Gandharvas, humans. Intellect, ego, senses, desire for
action and qualities of goodness and darkness are dealt with in this chapter.
Book 1: Ch 6: 41 Verses: 5 minutes 52 seconds: Size: 5 MB
Brief: Formation of the four castes; importance of Yagnas
(sacrifices); materials to be offered in Yagnas; fruits of leading pious lives
currently that is felt in the after-life.
Book
1: Ch 7: 45 Verses: 6 minutes 22 seconds: Size: 6 MB
Brief:
Story of creation continued. How Brahma created nine Brahmarishis from His mind
and then Rudra; then Swayambhuva Manu and His wife Satarupa from whom were born
sons Priyavrata and Uttanapada and daughters Prasuti and Akuti and the lineage
of Daksha started, including Dharma and Adharma. Brief dealing with
dissolution.
Book 1: Ch 8: 32 Verses: 5 minutes 4 seconds: Size: 5 MB
Brief: Origin of the Eight Rudras, namely Rudra, Bhava,
Sarva, Isana, Pasupati, Bhima, Ugra and Mahadeva. Rudra marries Sati who later
was born as Daughter of Himavan. Divinities Dhatru and Vidhataa and daughter
Sri Lakshmi, born of the Ocean, were born to Bhrugu; this last statement is
questioned by Maitreya and is answered by Parashara in the next chapter.
Book
1: Ch 9: 147 Verses: 20 minutes 33 seconds: Size: 19 MB
Brief:
Story of Sage Durvasa who gives the garland given to him by a nymph over to
Indra, who in turn places on the brow of Airavata, his elephant, who in turn
throws to the ground; this action infuriates Sage Durvasa, who feels Indra
insulted him by throwing down the gifted garland and curses that Indra will
lose all Kingdom. Indra asks for forgiveness but Durvasa refuses to forgive.
Indra loses all kingdom and the Gods go to Brahma, Who asks Them to go to
Vishnu. The Gods praise Vishnu and are asked to churn the ocean to get the
nectar of immortality; during the churning, Sri Laksmi comes out from the
ocean; the nectar of immortality is obtained; but Vishnu dressed as a beautiful
lady confuses the demons and prevents them from partaking the nectar which is
consumed only by the Devas, who then by renewed vigor conquer the demons and
get back their kingdoms. Verses 116 to
137 in this chapter are the hymns of praise for Sri Lakshmi. Verse 137 states:
“Sri Laksmi states that ‘I will never turn my face away from that mortal who morning
and evening shall repeat the hymn of praise you just said’.” Thus, Sri Lakshmi
was first born to Bhrugu and at a later time, born of the ocean.
Book 1: Ch 10: 20 Verses: 3 minutes 21 seconds:
Size: 3 MB
Brief: Brief description of the progeny of the daughters of
Daksha Prajapati including Ayati, Niryati, Markandeya, Sinivali, Kuhu, Raka, Anumati,
Agastya, Pavaka, Pavamana, etc.
Book
1: Ch 11: 56 Verses: 8 minutes 38 seconds: Size: 8 MB
Brief:
The second son of Swayambhuva Manu, named Uttanapada had two wives Suruci and
Suniti. Through Suruci was born Uttama and through Suniti was born Dhruva; the
former was the favorite of the King. Once, the King Uttanapada placed Uttama on
his lap and unseated Dhruva, who becoming extremely disappointed, asks his
mother who advises him to pray to Vishnu. Dhruva goes to the forest and
consults the Rishis who give the Mantra: “ Hiranyagarbha Purusha Pradhana
Vyaktha Roopine; Om Namo Vasudevaya Shudhdha Gyaana Swabhavine” to Dhruva to
repeat to propitiate Vishnu. It may be
noted that this same mantra appears in Chapter 32 of Kalika Puranam which can be found in this blog!
Book 1: Ch 12: 102 Verses: 14 minutes 58 seconds: Size:
14 MB
Brief: Dhruva commences a tenacious and austere penance
against all odds and difficulties. Finally, Sri Maha Vishnu comes to him and
asks him to ask for boons. Dhruva seeks an exalted station, superior to all
that shall endure forever; thus Dhruva exalted to the sky and remains as
pole-star.
Merit: He who describes or studies this ascent to the sky of Dhruva
will get freed from sins and remain in an exalted position of dignity.
Book
1: Ch 13: 94 Verses: 14 minutes 19 seconds: Size: 13 MB
Brief:
In the lineage of Dhruva, King Vena was born who was extremely wicked. After
repeated efforts to set him right failed, the rishis decided to get him slain.
Without a king, the kingdom fell into disarray; the rishis then decided to rub
his thigh and from it, Nishada was born to carry away the sins. The rishis then
rubbed his right arm and thence was born the resplendent Prthu. Mother Earth
that was destroyed during the period of anarchy soon produced famine and all
people went hungry; at this point, Prthu decides to kill Mother Earth. Mother
Earth then pleads Prthu not to do so and instead to make several areas level
and She would provide the milk needed for nourishment. Prthu listens and
follows Her advice and famine gets removed and all beings live happily.
Merit:
Verse 93 and 94 state that He who hears this story of the birth of the
magnanimous Prthu shall not face any bad dreams and his evil acts get pardoned.
Book 1: Ch 14: 49 Verses: 7 minutes 44 seconds: Size: 7
MB
Brief: In the lineage of Prthu was Prachenabarhish who had
ten sons who were called Prachetasas who were experts in military science.
Their father asked them to increase the number of people by multiplying and
advised that the best way to do so was by propitiating Sri Maha Vishnu; and so
they went into the ocean and performed severe penance. This story continues in
the next chapter. Great hymns of praise to Sri Vishnu in verses 23 through
verse 43.
Book
1: Ch 15: 156 Verses: 22 minutes 4 seconds: Size: 20 MB
Brief:
This is a very powerful chapter. As Prachetasas were in penance, Earth was
getting taken over by overgrown trees and mankind was perishing; getting angry
the Sages caused heavy winds and fire to destroy all trees. Soma, the Moon, who
is in charge of vegetation begged the Sages to calm down and said He would give
them Marisha – the daughter of the woods as their wife with whom they can
multiply mankind. The story of Marisha starts. Formerly a Sage named Kandu was
practicing austerities and the King of the Gods sent down the nymph Pramlocha
to disturb him; she did so and at the end of several hundred years of mutual
enjoyment, the Sage realized He had steered away from his penance and allowed
the nymph Pramlocha to return to her abode in the heavens after getting angry;
as Pramlocha got ready to leave, droplets of perspiration from her body landed
on the dry tree leaves and with the help of the wind and nourishment from Soma
(Moon), a lovely girl called Marisha was born who was given as wife to
Prachetasas when she became older. Marisha, the progeny of Sage Kandu and wife
of Prachetasas, produced the Patriarch Daksha, who produced several offsprings.
Maitreya
confounds Parashara with his doubt that Daksha was supposed to be born of
Brahma; how is it that He is told be born as son of Marisha; Parashara clears
the doubt. Daksha produced several sons named Haryasvas and ordered them to
multiply to increase mankind population. Sage Narada misguides them and they
get lost in the woods. Disappointed, Daksha produces more sons named Savalasvas
and asks them to multiply; Narada ill-advises them also to follow the footsteps
of their brothers and they get vanished also. Angered, Daksha curses Narada and
produces sixty daughters who are given away to various sages. Their names and
the names of their progeny are given included in whom are Hiranyaksha,
Hiranyakashipu and the wise Prahlada.
Book 1: Ch 16: 16 Verses: 2 minutes 40 seconds: Size: 2
MB
Brief: Disciple Maitreya asks Sage Parashara to describe in
detail the story of the wise Prahlada, the troubles he faced and his responses.
Book
1: Ch 17: 91 Verses: 15 minutes 0 seconds: Size: 14 MB
Brief:
Story of Prahlada starts. Hiranyakashipu, the son of Diti, had conquered the
sovereignty of Indra and was troubling the Devas. Prahlada, his son, was being
sent to school and when asked what he had learnt thus far, said that the
absolute power in this universe was Sri Maha Vishnu. This angered his father,
Hiranyakashipu, who tried every possible method to kill his own son Prahlada.
Prahlada is protected by Sri Maha Vishnu against all the efforts of his father
to destroy him. Verses 55 to 91 that comprise the discourse given by Prahlada
to his peers is simply philosophically and lyrically superb !
Book 1: Ch 18: 43 Verses: 6 minutes 54 seconds: Size: 6
MB
Brief: Hiranyakashipu orders his cooks to poison Prahlada,
but the posion does not work. Later, he asks the Brahmanas to perform magical
rites to destroy Prahlada; but Prahlada prays to Sri Maha Vishnu to pardon the
Brahmanas for conducting such improper rites; the Brahmanas get pardoned and
they all bless the Great Prahlada! This is quite a moving chapter.
Book
1: Ch 19: 86 Verses: 12 minutes 50 seconds: Size: 12 MB
Brief:
Hiranyakashipu asks Prahlada wherefrom did he get the powers to thwart all
attempts to destroy him; to which Prahlada refers back to Sri Maha Vishnu;
angered, Prahlada is ordered to thrown out of a tall mountain peak; Prahlada
survives this. Hiranyakashipu then orders Asura Samvara to do black magic
against Prahlada which also meets with failure. The demon king Hiranyakashipu
then asks Prahlada about what he knows about how kings should behave; when
Prahlada gives the discourse, his father does not like it, and orders the
asuras to hurl Prahlada to the bottom of the ocean against rocks; at that
point, Prahlada sings hymns in praise of Sri Maha Vishnu – these are covered in
verses 64 through 86 and are simply superb !
Book 1: Ch 20: 39 Verses: 6 minutes 0 seconds: Size: 6 MB
Brief: Prahlada goes into deep meditation at the bottom of
the ocean and recognizes the oneness of the spirit in him and Sri Maha Vishnu
and tears asunder the rocks and ocean and comes up only to belod Vishnu clad in
yellow robes. When Sri Maha Vishnu tells him to ask for boons, all that he asks
is that his devotion see no decay and that he should never forget Sri Maha
Vishnu. Upon insistence from Sri Maha Vishnu to ask for yet another boon,
Prahlada simply asks that his father be forgiven for all that he put him
through. Sri Maha Vishnu grants that and after the killing of Hiranyakashipu by
Sri Maha Vishnu in the form of Sri Narasimha, Prahlada becomes the king of the
Daityas and then attains liberation. This is quite a moving chapter.
Merit: Verses 36 to 39 state that one who listens to this story of Prahlada that is Chapter 17,18,19 and 20, has his sins washed away; and all the unfair dealings of the world against him get annihilated with just one hearing of this great story; one who hears this story on a full-moon day, new moon day or the eighth or the twelfth lunar day gets merits equal to that of donating a cow; and just as Vishnu protected Prahlada, so will the hearer of this story be protected by Vishnu.
Merit: Verses 36 to 39 state that one who listens to this story of Prahlada that is Chapter 17,18,19 and 20, has his sins washed away; and all the unfair dealings of the world against him get annihilated with just one hearing of this great story; one who hears this story on a full-moon day, new moon day or the eighth or the twelfth lunar day gets merits equal to that of donating a cow; and just as Vishnu protected Prahlada, so will the hearer of this story be protected by Vishnu.
Book
1: Ch 21: 40 Verses: 6 minutes 10 seconds: Size: 6 MB
Brief:
Names and description of Prahlada’s descendants. Included are Prahlada’s son
Virochana, his son Bali, children of Vaisvanara, Pauloma, the thousand serpents descended from Kadru including Vasuki, Taksha, etc, the Great Eagle Garuda Who was borne by Vinata, etc. This creation is to have taken place in the
second manvantara called Svarochisha. There is a brief description of the birth
of the forty-nine Deities called Maruts from Diti.
Book 1: Ch 22: 89 Verses: 12 minutes 25 seconds: Size: 11
MB
Brief: The first part of this chapter deals with the
assignment of sovereignty of various creations over their subordinates. The
four-fold steps of achieving supreme knowledge is touched upon as wells as the
form of Sri Maha Vishnu as all-pervading Supreme Energy. The symbolism of every
part of Sri Maha Vishnu’s personified body is beautifully explained including
the Kaustubha gem, conch, mace, Vaijayanti necklace, etc.
Merit: Verses 87 through 89 state the merits of listening to
this first book of Sri Vishnu Purana. It is stated to expiate all sins; one who
hears this gets the fruit of bathing in the holy Pushkara lake for twelve years
in the month of Karthik. It is stated that the Gods bestow the grace of a Sage
on the hearer.
Please proceed to Part 2.
Om Sri Vishnave Namaha !
No comments:
Post a Comment