Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland (Volume 5) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1839 Excerpt: ... M ahadeo, are now alike in a state of ruin: this could not have been the case when the Brahma Purana celebrated their glories, and they would appear, at the time when the Purana was compiled, to have divided the veneration of the Hindus with their more fortunate competitor. The internal evidence which the work offers, therefore, renders it exceedingly probable, that it was composed in the course of the thirteenth or fourteenth century, or after the worship of Jagannatha predominated, but before Siva and the Sun had fallen into utter disrepute. The work which is called the Uttara Khanda, or "Last portion" of the Brahma Purana, is, as has been observed, always met with in a detached form, and as an independent composition. The subjects of which it treats, are also of a character wholly dissimilar from those of the Brahma Purdna, and it is very obvious that there is no connexion between the two. If there be any Purva Khanda, or prior section of the Brahma Purana, of which the Uttara Khanda is a continuation, it must be something very different from the work of which the preceding summary has been given. The Uttara Khanda of the Brahma Purana consists of thirtyseven chapters, containing about three thousand stanzas. It is repeated by Saunaka to Satanika, as it was formerly narrated by Agastya to Supratika, a sage. It so far merits the denomination of Brahma Purina, that it has Brahmd for its hero: commencing with his incestuous passion for Saraswati, and the birth of a son, Sumridika, in consequence. Sumridika being offended with his parent, creates, by arduous penance, the brood of Asuras 'or Titans, by whom the gods are defeated, and Brahma is expelled from heaven. Brahma, however, by propitiating Siva, is restored to his dignity and power, and employs Viswak...