Vishnu Purana (Taylor)
by McComas Taylor | 2021 | 157,710 words | ISBN-13: 9781760464400
The Vishnu Purana is an ancient Sanskrit text composed around 1500 years ago. The text details the universe's history, creation, and the essence of Hindu theology. It highlights the roles of gods, human origins, and ideals of Brahminical society. The Purana further narrates stories of devotion, cosmic battles, and Krishna’s famed romantic exploits....
Glossary
Ādityas — deities descended from Aditi
apsarases — semi-divine female beings
avatāras — the physical manifestations of a deity in this world
cāraṇas — a class of heavenly singers
Daityas — demons descended from Diti
Dānavas — demons descended from Danu
gandharvas — semi-divine male beings
guhyakas — demons, similar to rākṣasas
guṇas — the three constituent qualities of the universe
kiṃnaras — a class of semi-divine beings
kimpuruṣas — a class of semi-divine beings
kṣatriyas — the community of warriors
kūṣmāṇḍas — a class of demons
mahat — the fundamental element, ‘greatness’
Manus — legendary rulers of the world
Maruts — wind gods
nāgas — semi-divine serpents
piśācas — flesh-eating demons
Pramathas — a class of demons in the service of Śiva
rākṣasas — night-ranging demons
saṃsāra — the cycle of life, death and rebirth
siddhas — highly accomplished seers with semi-divine powers
śrāddha — a ritual to sustain deceased relatives in the afterlife
śūdras — the community of servants
svayaṃvara — a tournament of warriors at which a noblewoman chooses a husband
vaiśyas — the community of merchants and farmers
Vasus — a class of deities
vidyādhara — a class of semi-divine musicians
Viśvas — a class of deities
yakṣas — a class of semi-divine beings