Page:Works by the late Horace Hayman Wilson Vol 6.djvu/131

 CONTENTS.

BOOK I.

CHAPTER I.

Invocation. Maitreya inquires of his teacher, Parasara, the origin and nature of the universe. Parasara performs a rite to destroy the demons: reproved by Vasishtha, he desists: Pulastya appears, and bestows upon him divine knowledge: he repeats the Vishnu Purana. Vishnu the origin, existence, and end of all things.

CHAPTER II.

Prayer of Parasara to Vishnu. Successive narration of the Vishnu Purana. Explanation of Vasudeva: his existence before creation: his first manifestations. Description of Pradhana or the chief principle of things. Cosmogony. Of Prakrita or material creation; of time; of the active cause. Development of effects; Mahat; Ahamkara; Tanmatras; elements; objects of sense; senses; of the mundane egg. Vishnu the same as Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, Rudra the destroyer.

CHAPTER III.

Measure of time. Moments or Kashthas, &c. ; day and night; fortnight, month, year, divine year: Yugas or ages: Mahayuga or great age: day of Brahma: periods of the Manus: a Manwantara: night of Brahma and destruction of the world: a year of Brahma: his life: a Kalpa: a Parardha: the past or Padma Kalpa: the present or Varaha.