Chapter XXII Dominion over different provinces of creation assigned to different beings. Universality of Viṣṇu. Four varieties of spiritual contemplation. Two conditions of spirit. The perceptible attributes of Viṣṇu types of his imperceptible properties. Viṣṇu everything. Merit of hearing the first book of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa. WHEN Prithu was installed in the government of the earth, the great father of

Chapter I Descendants of Priyavrata, the eldest son of Svāyambhūva Manu: his ten sons: three adopt a religious life; the others become kings of the seven Dvīpas, or isles, of the earth. Āgnīdhra, king of Jambu-dvīpa, divides it into nine portions, which he distributes amongst his sons. Nābhi, king of the south, succeeded by Riṣabha; and he by Bharata: India

Chapter II Description of the earth. The seven Dvīpas and seven seas. Jambu-dvīpa. Mount Meru: its extent and boundaries. Extent of Īlāvrita. Groves, lakes, and branches of Meru. Cities of the gods. Rivers. The forms of Viṣṇu worshipped in different Varṣas. MAITREYA:--You have related to me, Brahman, the creation of Svāyambhūva; I am now desirous to hear from you a

Chapter III Description of Bhārata-Varṣā: extent: chief mountains: nine divisions: principal rivers and mountains of Bhārata proper: principal nations: superiority over other Varṣas, especially as the seat of religious acts. (Topographical lists.) THE country that lies north of the ocean, and south of the snowy mountains, is called Bhārata, for there dwelt the descendants of Bharata. It is nine thousand

Chapter IV Account of kings, divisions, mountains, rivers, and inhabitants of the other Dvīpas, viz. Plakṣa, Śālmala, Kuśa, Krauncha, Śāka, and Puṣkara: of the oceans separating them: of the tides: of the confines of the earth: the Lokāloka mountain. Extent of the whole. IN the same manner as Jambu-dvīpa is girt round about by the ocean of salt water, so

Chapter V Of the seven regions of Pātāla, below the earth. Nārada's praises of Pātāla. Account of the serpent Śeṣa. First teacher of astronomy and astrology. PARĀŚARA: The extent of the surface of the earth has been thus described to you, Maitreya. Its depth below the surface is said to be seventy thousand Yojanas, each of the seven regions of

Chapter VI Of the different hells or divisions of Naraka, below Pātāla: the crimes punished in them respectively: efficacy of expiation: meditation on Viṣṇu the most effective expiation. PARĀŚARA.--I will now, great Muni, give you an account of the hells which are situated beneath the earth and beneath the waters, and into which sinners are finally sent. The names of

Chapter VII Extent and situation of the seven spheres, i.e. earth, sky, planets, Mahar-loka, Janaloka, Tapo-loka, and Satya-loka. Of the egg of Brahmā, and its elementary envelopes. Of the influence of the energy of Viṣṇu. MAITREYA: The sphere of the whole earth has been described to me by you, excellent Brahman, and I am now desirous to hear an account

Chapter VIII Description of the sun: his chariot; its two axles: his horses. The cities of the regents of the cardinal points. The sun's course: nature of his rays: his path along the ecliptic. Length of day and night. Divisions of time: equinoxes and solstices, months, years, the cyclical Yuga, or age of five years. Northern and southern declinations. Saints