HariVamsha Mahapurana

Harivamsha Mahapurana

I started reading Harivamsha Mahapurana from today (July 24, 2009). From a long time, I have been searching for the book written in Kannada by Pandharinathacharya Galgali. My dad had gone and searched all the book houses in Bangalore but to no avail. The book store keeper too tried to procure it from the printing press in Dharawad, but this book was out of print now. Then, my mother in law borrowed the copy from my sister-in-laws place and gave it to me when she came to Singapore.

The notes I am making here are only for my understanding. I hope and pray that I get the import correctly. Ideally, for a great work like this, you need somebody well versed who can read through and bring out the meaning properly.
However, as of now, in my house, I am the only one who can read Kannada, so I have to rely on myself to bring out what ever I understand.

With deep devotion and prayer to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswathi, I start reading this book and making notes.

Notes:
Chapter 1:

The Harivamsha Mahapurana is the creation of Vedvyasa Maharishi. It is believed that the Maharishi is one of the amsha (part) of Bhagawan Shri Vishnu. This Mahapurana was retold when Janamejaya (son of Parikshit who was the grandson of Arjuna) requested Vaishampayana Maharishi.

The Mahapurana starts with the creation of universe.
The entire universe was created by Shri Naryana.
Shri Hari (another name of Shri Narayana) first created four-headed Brahma (Chaturmukha Brahma). Shri Hari himself is swayambhu or Aja (self created). Brahma’s body is “Mahatatwa”. From this Mahatatwa came “Ahamkara”. From this Ahamkara came “Panchatanmatras”.

From this Panchatanmatras came the Panchabhootas. The first of the 5 elements created was water. It is believed that in this water, Shri Hari resided for one thousand years. Because of this, he is also called as Narayana. The word Naryana when split means one who resides in water (Naara + Aayana). Narayana also means one who is faultless (dosha rahita).

It is believed that the creative power of Lord Vishnu grew as a golden egg (orb) within which Brahma lived for 1 year.
Note that the year denoted here is not the same timeframe as for we earthlings. The 1 year is as per Devamaana or God’s calendar. *** (more research to be done).

Since Brahma was created out of a golden egg, he is also known as HiranyaGarbha. When Brahma came out of this orb, it split into two parts. One became heaven or swarga and another became Earth or Prithvi. Along with this, God created Sun, Moon, other planets and stars. Through Sun came the 8 directions.

Chaturmukha Brahma created the 7 Rishis or Saptarishis – Marichi, Atri, Angirasa, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Vasishta. These Maharishis were created to take the whole creation forward. These rishis are known as Manasaputras. Apart from these rishis, Brahma also created seven more sages – Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, Sanatkumara, Skanda, Narada, and Rudra. Rudra was created out of Brahma’s anger.
After this, the Vedas, medicines, clouds, lightning, plants, trees were created. Brahma also created the devas from his face, Pitru from his heart, human beings from creative organs and rakshasas from bottom. All these creations were “Ayonija” meaning without the use of “yoni”. These creations are called Visarga.

Among the Saptarishis, Vasishta created the female and male form out of his own body. These later grew in number through sexual union. These kinds of creations (Yonija) were called Manvantara.