272 - The meritoriousness of making gifts of the different Purānas 

Pushkara said: 

1-2. (The Purāna) that was narrated by Brahmå to Marichi in olden days in fifty thousand verses (is said to be) Brahma purāņa. One who desires to attain heavenshould write and give it as a gift on the full moon day in (the month of) Vaisakha (May-June) together with water and a cow. The Padma purāņa that contains twelve thousand versesshould be given (on a similar day) in (the month of) Jyestha (June-July) together with a cow. 

3-4a. (Sage) Paráśara narrated the VaišhnavaPurāna based on the accounts of the Vardhakalpa¹ in twenty thousand verses. One who makes a gift (of the same) together with water and a cow in (the month of) Ashådha (July-August) would reach the place of (Lord) Vishņu. 

1. There are thirty-two kalpa periods each equal to 432 million years of mortals.

4b-5. The Vayaviya (Purāna) (that contains) fourteen thousand (verses) (is) dear to (Lord) Hari (Vishņu). The Wind god has narrated the righteous way in this (Purāna) with reference to (the incidents of) theshvetakalpa. It has to be copied and given as a gift to a brahmin together with the molasses and a cow (on the full moon day) in (the month of) Srāvana (August-September). 

6-7. It is said to be the Bhāgavata (puräna) in which the virtues have been explained with reference to the gāyatri² (mantra) and also the killing of the demon Vrutra during the Sarasvatakalpa has been described. Itshould be given as a gift in (the month of) Proshthapadi (September-October) together with a golden lion. It contains eighteen thousand (verses.). 

2. RV. 3.62.10.

8-9a. It is said to be the Náradiya (purāņa) consisting of twenty five thousand (verses) in which (the sage) Nārada described the virtues based on the Bruhatkalpa. One can have the supreme attainment by making a gift (of the same) (on a full moon day) in (the month of) Asvina (October-November) together with a cow.

9b-10a. The Mārkandeya (puräna) (contains) nine thousand (verses) in which there is a discussion of righteousness and unrighteousness relating to the enemies. Itshould be given as a gift (on the full moon day) in (the month of) Karttika (November-December). 

10b-11. That (Purāņa) is Agneya that was spoken by the Agni to (sage) Vasishtha. (It contains) twelve thousand (verses) and imparts all knowledge. Itshould be copied and offered as a gift in (the month of) Märgaširsha (December-January). It yields everything. 

12. The Bhavishya (Purāna) (contains) fourteen thousand (verses). It had its origin from the Sun. (Lord) Bhava (Śiva) narrated it to Manu. Itshould be offered as a gift in (the month of) Paushya (January-February) together with molasses etc. 

13-14a. The Brahmavaivarta (purāna) was narrated by Såvarņi (Manu) to (sage) Närada (dealing) with the history of Rathantara and the boar (manifestation of Vishnu) in eighteen thousand (verses). One who gives it in the month of) Māgha (February-March) as a gift would reach the world of Brahmā. 

14b-15. The Linga (Purāna) is that in which the great Lord (Śiva) residing in the fiery linga in the Agneyakalpa described the virtues in eleven thousand (verses). One who makes a gift of the same in (the month of) Phālguna (March-April) together with sesamum and cow would have the vision of (or attain to) Siva. 

16-17a. The Varāha (purāņa) was narrated by (Lord) Vishņu in fourteen thousand (verses). The account of the boar (form of Vishņu) was propagated by (Lord) Višhņu on the earth (assuming the form) of a man. (One who makes a gift of it) together with a golden (image of) eagle in (the month of) Chaitra (April-May) would reach the place of (Lord) Vishnu. 

17b-18a. The great Skānda (purāņa) was narrated by (Lord) Skanda in eighty-four thousand (verses) on the virtues in the Tatpurusha kalpa. Oneshould make a gift (of the same). 

18b-19a. The Vāmana (purāņa) narrates the story of (Lord) Hari (Vishnu) relating to Dhaumakalpa in ten thousand (verses) dealing with the virtues and material prosperityshould be given (as a gift) during autumnal equinox. 

19b-20a. The Kurma (purāņa) was narrated by the tortoise (form of Lord Vishņu) in eight thousand verses in connection with (the story of) Indradyumna in the nether world. Itshould be given (as a gift) together with a golden (image of) tortoise. 

20b-21a. The Matsya (puräna) was narrated by (Lord Vishnu in the form of a) fish to Manu at the beginning of the kalpa (period). Itshould be given (as a gift) at the time of the equinox together with a golden (image of) fish. 

21b-22a. The Garuda (purāņa) was narrated by (Lord) Vishņu in the Tärkshakalpa describing the birth of Garuda (the vehicle bird of Lord Vishnu) from the universal egg. Itshould be given (as a gift) together with a golden (image of) hamsa (swan). 

22b-23a. The Brahmānda (purāna) is that in which (Lord) Brahmå described the greatness of the universe in twelve thousand (verses). Itshould be given (as a gift) to a brahmin. 

23b-26. The reciter of thc (Mahā) bhāratashould be honoured with clothes, perfumes, garlands and other things after the completion of each parvan (each one of the eighteen divisions) and brahminsshould be fed with sweet gruel. After (the recitation of) each parvan is complete cows, land, village, gold and other thingsshould be given (as gift). After (the recital of the text) of Bhārata is complete, a brahmin and the Samhitā textsshould be worshipped. Then the bookshould be wrapped in silken cloth and kept at a sacred place. (Lords) Nara and Nārāyana¹ and the booksshould be worshipped with flowers and other things. The recitationshould be completed by making gifts of cows, food, land and gold and feeding (the brahmins). 

1. Originally regarded as identical but in mythology and epics considered as distinct beings, Arjuna being identified with Nara and Krishna with Nārāyana. 

27-29. Great giftsshould be made and different kinds of gemsshould be given. Two or three meshakas (a particular weight of gold)should be given every month. It is laid down that gift (should be given) to the reciter at the commencement of the solstice. O Brahmin! The recitershould be worshipped by all the listeners. One who makes a gift of the Epics and Purānas (in the above manner) after worship would get long and healthy life and would attain emancipation and heaven.