Chapter 272 - The meritoriousness of making gifts of the different Purāṇas

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

[Full title: The meritoriousness of making gifts of the different Purāṇas (dāna-māhatmya)]

Puṣkara said:

1-2. (The Purāṇa) that was narrated by Brahmā to Marīci in olden days in fifty thousand verses (is said to be) Brahmapurāṇa. One who desires to attain heaven should write and give it as a gift on the full moon day in (the month of) Vaiśākha (May-June) together with water and a cow. The Padma-purāṇa that contains twelve thousand verses should be given (on a similar day) in (the month of) Jyeṣṭha (June-July) together with a cow.

3-4a. (Sage) Parāśara narrated the Vaiṣṇavapurāṇa based on the accounts of the Varāhakalpa^[1] in twenty thousand verses. One who makes a gift (of the same) together with water and a cow in (the month of) Āṣāḍha (July-August) would reach the place of (Lord) Viṣṇu.

4b-5. The Vāyavīya (purāṇa) (that contains) fourteen thousand (verses) (is) dear to (Lord) Hari (Viṣṇu). The Wind god has narrated the righteous way in this (Purāṇa) with reference to (the incidents of) the Śvetakalpa. 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) Śrāvaṇa (August-September).

6-7. It is said to be the Bhagavata (purāṇa) in which the virtues have been explained with reference to the gāyatrī (mantra)^[2] and also the killing of the demon Vṛtra during the Śārasvata-kalpa has been described. It should be given as a gift in (the month of) Proṣṭhapadī (September-October) together with a golden lion. It contains eighteen thousand (verses).

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

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

10b-11. That (Purāṇa) is Āgneya that was spoken by the Fire-god to (sage) Vasiṣṭha. (It contains) twelve thousand (verses) and imparts all knowledge. It should be copied and offered as a gift in (the month of) Mārgaśīrṣa (December-January). It yields everything.

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

13-14a. The Brahmavaivarta (purāṇa) was narrated by Sāvarṇi (Manu) to (sage) Nārada (dealing) with the history of Rathantara and the boar (manifestation of Viṣṇu) 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 Liṅga (Purāṇa) is that in which the great Lord (Śiva) residing in the fiery liṅga in the Āgneyakalpa 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) Śiva.

16-17a. The Varāha (purāṇa) was narrated by (Lord) Viṣṇu in fourteen thousand (verses). The account of the boar (form of Viṣṇu) was propagated by (Lord) Viṣṇu 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) Caitra (April-May) would reach the place of (Lord) Viṣṇu.

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

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

19b-20a. The Kūrma (purāṇa) was narrated by the tortoise (form of Lord Viṣṇu) in eight thousand verses in connection with (the story of) Indradyumna in the nether world. It should be given (as a gift) together with a golden (image of) tortoise.

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

21b-22a. The Garuḍa (purāṇa) was narrated by (Lord) Viṣṇu in the Tārkṣakalpa describing the birth of Garuḍa (the vehicle bird of Lord Viṣṇu) from the universal egg. It should be given (as a gift) together with a golden (image of) haṃsa (swan).

22b-23a. The Brahmāṇḍa (purāṇa) is that in which (Lord) Brahmā described the greatness of the universe in twelve thousand (verses). It should be given (as a gift) to a brahmin.

23b-26. The reciter of the (Mahā) bharata should be honoured with clothes, perfumes, garlands and other things after the completion of each parvan (each one of the eighteen divisions) and brahmins should be fed with sweet gruel. After (the recitation of) each parvan is complete cows, land, village, gold and other things should be given (as gift). After (the recital of the text) of Bhārata is complete, a brahmin and the Saṃhitā texts should be worshipped. Then the book should be wrapped in silken cloth and kept at a sacred place. (Lords) Nara and Nārāyaṇa^[3] and the books should be worshipped with flowers and other things. The recitation should be completed by making gifts of cows, food, land and gold and feeding (the brahmins).

27-29. Great gifts should be made and different kinds of gems should be given. Two or three māṣakas (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 reciter should be worshipped by all the listeners. One who makes a gift of the Epics and Purāṇas (in the above manner) after worship would get long and healthy life and would attain emancipation and heaven.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

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

[2]:

ṚV. 3.62.10.

[3]:

Originally regarded as identical but in mythology and epics considered as distinct beings, Arjuna being identified with Nara and Kṛṣṇa with Nārāyaṇa.