Brahma Purana Volume 1

by Anonymous, Bibek Debroy

The eighteen Puranas are counted among the foundational texts of Hinduism. The holy trinity of Brahma as the creator, Vishnu as the preserver and Shiva as the destroyer play a central deities of the Puranas and feature in the narratives. The Puranas where creation themes feature prominently are identified with Brahma (Brahma, Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya). Puranas where Vishnu features prominently are identified as Vaishnava Puranas (Bhagavata, Garuda, Kurma, Matysa, Narada, Padma, Vamana, Varaha, Vishnu). Puranas where Shiva features prominently are identified as Shaiva Puranas (Agni, Lings, Shiva, Skanda, Vayu).
The Brahma Purana is so named because it was originally recounted by Brahma. It is described as Adi Purana in several Purana texts, underlining its importance. Odisha and the temples in that region are a key component of the text.

Genres: Mythology, Hinduism, Religion

564 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2022

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[The Conch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often younger generation is blamed to be disconnected with Indian tradition and historical texts like Puranas, Upanishads, Mahabharata etc. The absence of authentic translation could be the main reason and apart from that, 'Doniger' type of (mis)translation further weans them away from culture. In this context, Bibek Debroy's mission to offer quality translation is a ground-breaking effort to lure generation to read ancient texts of Bharat.

Flow of book is reader-friendly. Footnotes and relevant references are given on the same page to prevent frequent turning of pages back and forth. The book begins with the origin, time and location of Bramha Purana. The Introduction provides enlightening information regarding division of Puranas, description of Upa-Puranas and criteria by which a text can be called Purana. Author points out various accounts of the same incident due to oral transmission.

Puranas are repositories of history, genealogy, geography, cosmology, biodiversity and evolution of the earth; all is sanctified with touch of divinity, hymns and prayers. Readers will find beautiful hymns dedicated to Shri Krishna, Shri Vishnu, Aditya and Jagannatha of Purushottam khestra (Puri, Odisha). As per the author, the origin of Bramhapurana was Odisha.

One may get an idea about the social structure of ancient India. There was movement between varnas for e.g."sons of Nabhaga and Dhrista were originally kshatriyas, but later became vaishyas" or "Prishadhra caused injury to cow...he was cursed that he would become a shudra". So, it can be said karma is one of the determinants for varnas. Social stature was based on performance of austerity and control over senses.

The Major part is dedicated to Shri Krishna's life. The Last section gives an emotional description about Shri Krishna's departure from the earth and the lawlessness of society due to the arrival of Kali. Arjun's lamentation while he was unable to lift the Gandiva (Arjuna's bow, gifted to him by Agni Devata) and protect princess and women of Dwaraka is really heart-wrenching. One may doubt whether there is really any free will exists. Energy by which our body, mind and intellect are functioning; they are all of Eeshwara.

However, the term 'medha' in the word 'ashwamedha' and related context is loosely translated as sacrifice of horse and ox etc. More research maybe carried out to find the deeper meaning of the word 'medha'. Dr.Subhah Kak, renowned physicist, has written several books on this subject.

Due to the long list of progenies of kings and sages, sometimes monotonous feeling may generate, but this is one of the major components of Purana. This book is useful for those who want to study ancient texts seriously.

[Neel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume 1 book on Brahma Purana by Bibek Debroy is an epic book. I say so, after having read the first volume only and waiting to read the second. The Brahma purana, known as Adi purana or Saura purana is one of the 18 major Maha Puranas. The Puranas are something we hear of in the abstract – it is rare for most of us to ever come across the Puranas in its pure form. This book does that for you in a perfectly translated form. The stories that we read in childhood as comics or heard from our elders are narrated in an (almost) contiguous form in a manner that is as close to the original as possible. That being said, the description of the world in terms of how the ancient Hindu seers saw it, of the teerthas from Orissa to Ujjain – to a high level of specificity, the description of the vegetation of the country to an incredible level of detail with the names of the flowers and the trees and the birds and the abodes of gods to the benefits that the “bhakta” will accrue by visiting the teerthas makes for some wonderful reading. Bibek takes the reader through a all the stories from the origin of Devas and Asuras to the manvantaras to the description of the world, continents and geography to Shiva to the birth and death of Krishna and the life cycle of Samsara in Volume 1. The citations in the book take it to another level by adding an additional layer of detail. That said, this book is not a lazy read in the afternoon – it demands and deserves your fullest attention. And as I read it, I paused and wondered at the minds of those who had composed it to this level of detail and passed it down the centuries. Brilliant epic translation.

[Sooraj Naga · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author introduces puranas in general and cites the work that provided inspiration for the two-volume Brahma Purana. The emphasis on which Itihasas are classified as additions and puranas, as well as the traits that are given to them, is a revelation to me. Through his scholarship, he also explores these qualities and makes it obvious what is and is not a Purana.

The beginning of the Brahmapurana goes on to describe the formation of asuras and devas and gives copious information pertaining to Manvantaras, the rulers (Manus) of successive yugas, and their genealogy. This sets the tone of shristi manifestations and reveals key facets of the Akanda. These insights help to elucidate the basic tenets of Gotra, Sutra, and their chronological progression. A comprehensive account of Aditya and his contributions to the world. In subsequent sections, the Pancha Maha-Bhoota, the trigunas (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas), and the BMW paradigm (Body, Mind, and World) are explained.

A number of chapters of Vol-I focus on Karma-Mimamsa rites, their implications, and strategies for dealing with Punya and Papa in relation to the karmic balances. Apparently, people have always sought comfort in their lives. The Puranas present remedies for now and the future that will allow them to reach places like Vaikunta, Shveta Dvipa, and Kailasha, etc..

[Geetha D · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Brahma Purana" by eminent author & translator Shri Bibek Debroy ji should be a readers choice of Hindu sacred texts in English. The book is in easy to read style, with grouping of a set of slokas into chapters , narrated in direct speech. making it interesting to explore rishis intention in the slokas. Each story is concise so can be read one at a time as a complete topic without the need to wait for extended reading time in busy schedules. The description of the temples described will inspire the reader to visit them personally. The author's effort to ensure the original Sanskrit vocabulary is translated without any distortion is well appreciated. It will be a great choice to own & study this book and refer it when on a yatra. Thank you.

[Vikram Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a chasm between Indian tradition and ancient knowledge and today's Indians. There are several reasons for this, including atrocities and foreign rule. The main cause, however, is a scarcity of reading materials with accurate translations from Sanskrit to numerous popular languages in contemporary India.

This generation is looking for sources of information to help them navigate various aspects of life, and they are looking elsewhere due to a lack of accurate knowledge resources of ancient Indian texts in widely spoken modern Indian languages.

Puranas are some of the oldest Indian texts which we hear in the form of stories from elders or in comics, rarely in their purest form. This book presents the stories in a manner that is as close to the original as possible.

Volume 1 of the book takes us through the origins of the mahapuranas (Major Purans) to the origins of Devas and Asuras to Manavatars and Shri Krishna's life to a description of the geographical world of that time, giving readers an idea of the civilization of that time.

The citations and footnotes in the book take it to another level by adding another layer of detail. The books make you curious about the world of that time which helps in visualization. Bibek Debroy has done an accurate translation of 'The Bramha Purana' in Volume 1 and I can't wait to read Volume 2.

Epic translation. Easy to Read. Invigorating. Ending the review with the hope that our generation of people will now take more interest in ancient knowledge resources and rebuild the cultural heritage of our civilization.

[Romesh Chander]

BOOK REVIEW – THE BRAHMA PURANA
This book which is named "The Brahma Purana" is the English translation of the “Brahma Purana” by Bibek Debroy who is a renowned economist, scholar and translator. There is a dearth of reading resources with reliable translations from Sanskrit to a number of widely spoken languages but this work of Bibek Debroy should be the Hindu sacred literature of choice for English readers. The book is written in an easy-to-read way, with slokas which are organised into chapters and presented in plain speech.
The book which is printed at Replika Press Pvt. Ltd, is comprises of 540 pages. It is divided into 112 chapters, which collectively has 7274 shlokas. These shlokas, which are originally written in the Sanskrit, are being translated in this book. The Chapter 1 provides us the knowledge about the origin of devas and asuras and it continues with other chapters taken to the last chapter which provides us the valuable understanding regarding offering pindas which are essential part of the Hindu rituals after the death.
The Puranas are a repository of history, genealogy, geography, cosmology, biodiversity, and the evolution of the world; all of this information is elevated to a divine level through the use of hymns and prayers. This book walks us through the history of the Manavatars as well as the life of Shri Krishna. After that, it moves on to provide a description of the geographical environment during that time period. In the Purushottam khestra, readers will come across wonderful hymns that are devoted to Shri Krishna, Shri Vishnu, Aditya, and Jagannatha (Puri, Odisha). According to the author, Odisha was where Bramhapurana was first practised.
It is possible to gain some insight into the social structure that existed in ancient India. There was transition between varnas, as evidenced by statements like when Prishadhra injured a cow...he was cursed that he would become a shudra and Sons of Nabhaga and Dhrista who became vaishyas but were originally kshatriyas.
Karma-Mimamsa ceremonies, their ramifications, and methods for coping with Punya and Papa in light of the karmic balances are discussed in depth across several chapters. The final segment provides an emotive account of Shri Krishna's departure from Earth and the breakdown of social order brought on by the entrance of Kali. Even while the vast list of descendants of kings and sages can occasionally feel tedious, it is one of the main Purana elements.
It is described as Adi Purana in several Purana texts, underlining its importance. This book is not something you can read while doing other things. It deserves and needs your full attention. The Puranas provide treatments for today and the future that will enable them to attain places as Vaikunta, Shveta Dvipa, and Kailasha, etc. Appreciate the author's efforts to ensure that the original Sanskrit vocabulary is translated accurately. I have faith that the next generation will revitalise our civilization's cultural heritage by delving deeper into its ancient knowledge sources through such translated books. Although it would be unfair to call it a book, it is an epic.
I recommend readers to read this book.

[Divya Goel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not grow up hearing or reading Puranic stories, so I was excited to read this book. I really enjoyed the introduction where the translator gives an overall context for the Puranas and brief details about the cosmology. It starts with the creation of Brahma followed by creation of the worlds and important people/gods/goddesses in Hindu cosmology. The book also describes some geographical areas of India in a lot of detail including the flora. There are also descriptions on the correct way of doing rituals at certain tirthas. The procedure of performing ancestral rituals is also described. The other worlds such as netherworlds and heavenly realms also find mention in the text. There is also a description of the punishments one would receive in the afterlife when in the wrong.

As this is a direct translation without any commentary, I found it tedious to read through details of family trees. It was like reading an index. I found the writing style quite dry with lengthy paragraphs that can run into a couple of pages. I don't know how the original text is written, so I'm not sure if this was intentional on the part of the publishers. There are lengthy descriptions in every section that can be tedious to get through. There are also lengthy dialogues praising Vishnu or Shiva that can run into pages. I think these would have more impact in an Indian language.

I appreciated that the translator retained the essence of the Sanskrit words by not translating them and providing footnotes instead. I could tell that he did a thorough job while translating the text. I think this book will appeal to people who are familiar with Puranic stories and have a devotional bent of mind.

[Lulu]

earliest core of text maybe from 4th century CE, continuously edited thereafter over time and it exist in numerous versions
Most scholarship places this text to be from centuries later, in the 4th- to 6th-century CE. The text is generally assumed, states Ludo Rocher, to have achieved its current structure about 1000 CE.
The text underwent continuous revisions after the 10th century, and new sections probably replaced older ones. The 13th-century Yadava dynasty scholar Hemadri quoted large parts of the then existing Brahmanda Purana, but these parts are not found in currently surviving versions of the same text.

The Adhyatma-Ramayana, the most important embedded set of chapters in the extant versions of the Purana, is considered to have been composed centuries later, possibly in the 15th century


Another trans https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

[Anni Bhardwaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to check out karma vipak samhita which enlists nakshtras and pending karmas of the jeeva but I think that js a part of volume 2.

But the first volume contains many stories on the vedic gods, than Shiva and Parvati, Vishnu and even Markendya rishi

Describes mysteries of universe in a lucid way.

[Aman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Persons of tranquility, engaged in truth and piety and devoid of all external symbols, are free from doubts. They are fettered neither by piety nor by blasphemy.

[P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me ages to finish this book. Who are the Vishwadevas?