97 - The Náradiya Purāņa: Contents 

Śhri Brahmä said: 

1. O Brahmaņa, listen, I shall recount to you the Náradiya Purana comprising the twenty-five thousand verses,1 based on the story of Bruhat Kalpa. 

1. According to the Väyu, Mt. P., Bh. P. A.P., Br. Vaivarta and the statement of the NP. here, this Purana consists of 25000 verses. But actually the Venkateshvar Press edition of the NP contains 18550 verses (13144 in the 1 part and 5406 in the II Part) PJ. VII 2, p 349 states that it consists of 17549 verses. According to Hazra, the Mi, P., AP and Sk. P. had a different-an earlier-version of the NP before them, as that NP (according to these Purānas) was declared by Närada with reference to Bruhat Kalpa which is merely mentioned here. In the present NP., Närada is a listener. Hence the present NP is different. Moreover, a number of Nibandha-writers quote from the NP but the quotations are untraceable in this extant Purana. For example, the 47 lines quoted from the NP by Jimútaváhana in Kalaviveka are not traced in this NP. It appears that an earlier edition of the NP was a bigger one when the mediaval Dharma-shästra writers used it. 

2-3a. In the first quarter of the earlier (first) division, there is a dialogue between Sūta and Shaunaka, then there is a succinct description of Creation. Many holy religious stories connected with Pravrutti (activity) have been narrated in the first quarter of the first division by Sanaka, the great soul. 

3b-4. In the second quarter called ‘Mokșha Dharma’, there is the review of the means to salvation, the detailed narration of the ancillaries of the Vedas and the birth of Shuka. All these have been recounted to the noble-souled Nārada by Sanandana. 

5-7a. In the third quarter, the following have been narrated to Nárada by sage Sanatkumāra: Pashu’s (individual soul’s) liberation from Pāśha (bondage of Samsára) as explained in Mahā Tantra; the consecration of the Mantras, the initiation, the uplift of the Mantras, the mode of worship, practical application, Kavacha (recitation of mantras as protection or coat of mail), the thousand names, the hymns to Gaņeśha, Sūrya, Vişhņu, Shiva and Shakti in due order. 

7b-9. The following topics have been recounted to Nárada by Sage Sanatana in the fourth quarter: The characteristics of the Purāņa, the authorities and means of valid knowledge, charitable gifts, etc. have been mentioned separately along with the proper time for the gifts. The holy vows that destroy all sins and that have to be observed on the Pratipad (first day) and other (subsequent) Tithis in all the months such as of Chaitra etc. 

10. Thus the first division is summarised. It is called Bruhadākhyāna. In the second division there is the enquiry about the vowed observance of Ekadashī. 

11-18. It is a dialogue between Vasishtha and Mändhātă: It contains the meritorious story of Rukmangada, the origin and activities of Mohinī, the curse on Mohini by Vasu and then the way of extrication therefrom; the holiest story of the Gangā, the narration of the pilgrimage to Gayá; the incomparable greatness of Kāśhi; the description of Purushottama, the injunctions regarding the pilgrimage to the holy centres along with many incidental anecdotes; the greatness of Prayaga; thereafter, that of Kurukshetra; the description of Haridvāra; the narration of Kámoda; the greatness of the holy centre Badari as well as that of Kamakshā; the greatness of Prabhāsa; then the description of Pushkara; the story of Gautama afterwards and then the hymn called Veda pada; the greatness of the holy centre of Gokarna; the narrative of Lakşhmaņa; the narration of the greatness of Setu (the Bridge built by Rāma from Bharata to Lankā); the description of the sacred river Narmadā; the greatness of Avanti; and that of Mathurā; the greatness of Vrundavana; the approach of the Pashu (individual soul) near Brahman, the story of Mohini thereafter. These are the contents of the Náradiya Purana.1 

1. Despite the difference noted above, the division of the NP in five parts and the contents of each mentioned therein, do tally with the contents of the extant Puraņa. 

19-21. The man who hears this with devotion or narrates it with great concentration goes to the abode of Brahmā; no hesitation or doubt need be entertained in this respect. He who gives (the manuscript of) this book to an excellent Brāhmaņa on the Işhupūrņā* (on the full moon day of the 5th month viz. Śhråvaņa) along with seven cows, attains salvation. He who describes this index of Náradiya Purāņa or listens to it with concentration attains Heaven. 

*The correct reading should be Işhă Pūrnima; it will mean “Full-moon day of Ashvina (September-October).