Human History in the Matsya Purāṇa (Introduction)

Human history is a special part of the various sections of history. Human history means the history of human events. In fact, history means the study of human past events and activities. Many scholars have interpreted history as a branch of the humanities and social sciences. In fact, history is a bridge between the humanities and the social sciences because methodological help and various elements are taken from both these scriptures of history. Human history explains when human life an originated on earth, how their lives progressed, the story of their evolution, and how they evolved to from today’s society.

Since the Purāṇas are one of the literary evidences of history, there are several reliable examples of human history in the Purāṇas as well. Vaṃśa and vaṃśānucarita by these two characteristics of Purāṇa this history has been highlighted in the past. By the Vaṃśa , the genealogy of different deities and sages and by the Vaṃśānucarita the genealogy of different kings have been described in different Purāṇas .

These genealogies are the study of families and the search for the history of their lineage. The genealogists use a variety of historical records, genetic analysis, other records and oral traditions to obtain information about a family and to display information about the governance of its members. Different families preserve their family history through various pictures or compositions to preserve it for the next generation or to preserve their own heritage.

In other words, the history of this lineage is the today’s human history. Nowadays the popularity of this history has increased because everyone has a strong desire to know the history of their lineages. Everyone wants to get to know the origins of their own lineages and as a result this aspect of history is growing in popularity.

The aspects of human history that we find in the Purāṇas are the stories of different kings, sages, gods and demons. Many Purāṇa have interpreted only the history of kings as human history, but later all other Purāṇas have included the history of kings as well as the lineages of the gods, sages and demons. Along with the history of kings, the genealogy of sages and gods have also enriched our history. Not only genealogy but also their deeds, misdeed, fault, virtues have been discussed as the subject of human history.

There are certain requirements of human history. The study of Puranic has some social, religious and political significance in human history. There are several things in the social significance of human history that have enriched human history. Such as the usefulness of listening and learning of ancient genealogy, giving importance to the genealogy of both sons and daughters, proper implementation of Caturāśrama and Varnāśrama system, importance of donation system in society, management of dynasty inheritance, emphasis on growing generation in society, importance of marriage system in society, knowledge and strength are both the importance of culture and religious beliefs and so on. Religious significance is another aspect of human history. Reading the history of different kings, we learn that they performed various offerings, worships and rituals which are almost nonexistent now. We can learn about those sacrifices. Besides, the way sages used to lead their lives in the right way through various rituals is a very important lesson in our life today. Besides, the rules of worship of gods and goddesses are also known in that context. From a political point of view, this human history has an important role to play, such as the description of a king as well as his rule. We also know the various diplomatic arrangements of the kings. We can know the diplomatic relations of other country with another, how the kings used to occupy and rule the other states, their war strategy etc. It is also known how he ruled the people in his kingdom. All these political aspects are of great importance at the present time. We can also learn about the kings and their conquests and expansion of the kingdom from which the geography is also known.

Here is a discussion of lineages of which kings, sages and demons are found in the chapters of the Matsya Purāṇa .