Logo

Synopsis The Visnudharmottara Purana is an encyclopaedic work consisting of three khandas and dealing not only with various stories, myths and legends but also with varied subjects, viz cosmology and cosmogony, geography, astronomy and astrology, division of time, pacification of unfavourable planets and stares, omens and portents, genealogies, manners and customs, penances, results of actions, rules about vrata and Sraddha, description and praise of various kinds of donation law and politics, science of war, anatomy, medicine etc. This work is divided in three khandas according to their subjects. First Khanda is related with the pauranika legends and rebirths. The second khanda deals in pauranika ritualism. This is avowedly a Vaisnava work claiming to deal with various duties of the Vaisnavas. It recommends the Pancaratra method of Visnu worship, adds great importance to the due observance of Panca-kala, holds the scriptures of the Pancaratra in high esteem and extols one who honours or makes gifts to those who are versed in these scriptures. The third Khanda deals with architecture, sculpture, painting, dancing and music, the basic topics of Fine Arts in a very comprehensive and systematic way that one can call it a complete treatise on the Fine Arts of ancient India.