Vishnu Purana

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The Vishnu Purana (Sanskrit: विष्णुपुराण, romanised: Viṣṇupurāṇa) is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas, a genre of ancient and medieval texts in Hinduism. It is a primary source for the theology of Vishishtadvaita and other Vaishnava traditions. Manuscripts of the Vishnu Purana have survived into the modern era in many versions. More than any other major Purana, the Vishnu Purana presents its contents in the Pancalaksana format which includes: Sarga (cosmogony), Pratisarga (cosmology), Vamsa (genealogy of the gods and goddesses, sages, and kings and queens), Manvantara (cosmic cycles), and Vamsanucarita (legends during the times of various kings and queens). Some manuscripts of the text are notable for omitting sections found in other major Puranas, such as those on mahatmyas and pilgrimage guides. However, other versions include chapters on temples and travel guides to sacred pilgrimage sites. The text is also notable as the earliest Purana to have been translated and published—in 1840 CE...

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