32 Puranas as Sources of Indian History and Culture

Rani Sadasiva Murty

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PURANAS AS THE SOURCE OF INDIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE ANCIENT INDIAN TIME SCALE

 

From time immemorial’ is a common phrase one comes across while referring to the ancient Indian culture, civilization and heritage. There is a great allegation against the ancient Indian authors regarding their least consideration for the chronological details of the past events of our country.

 

But the fact varies from this popular notion. If the following aspects of Puranas are considered the perception will get a total change. As it has been known to all, one of the five prime characteristics of Puranas is KALA or TIME. TIME calculation system of Indians was one of the most precious gifts to the world of Indian scholars by the sage Veda Vyasa. To understand the TIME system of India the following terms are to be understood.

 

Nimesha, Kshanam, Vighatika, Ghatika, Dinam, Saptaha, Paksha, Masa, Samvatsara, Yuga, Maha Yuga, Kalpa, Manvantara and Pararatha, Brahmayush are the Indian Unitis of time.

 

There are three phases of time calculation in Indian System:

 

Phase I

  • 1 Nimesha = Time required to wink for one time
  • 24 Nimeshas= Kshanam
  • 24 Kshanams = 1 Vighatika
  • 60 Vighatikas= 1 Ghatika
  • 60 Ghatikas = one Day
  • 7 Days = 1 Week
  • 15 days = 1 Fortnight
  • 2 Fortnights = 1 Month
  • 6 Months = 1 Ayanam

2 Ayanams (Uttara Ayanam + Dakshina Ayanam) or twelve months = One human Year This is one phase of calculation required for recording our routine activity.

 

II Phase :

  • 17,28,000 human years = 1 Krta Yuga
  • 12,96,000 human years = 1 Treta Yuga
  • 8,64,000 human years = 1 Dvapara Yuga
  • 4,32,000 human years = 1 Kali Yuga
  • 43,20,000 human years = The SUM of the above FOUR YUGAS hence called 1 CATUR YUGA or MAHA YUGA

This is the second phase in the calculation of Human TIME SCALE. This phase is helpful in considering the historicity of our ancient puranic events and larger than every human life span of Kali Age.

 

III Phase

The time calculations of this Phase are useful to assess the events with the interference of Divine elements in the history of Universe.  In this Phase:

  • 1000 Maha Yugas = 1 Kalpa (1 Day Time of BRAHMA)
  • In Human Years the length of One Kalpa = 43,20,000 X 1000 = 4,32,00,00,000 human years
  • The same is the length of BRAHA’s Night = 4,32,00,00,000 human years
  • So One Aho Ratram for BRAHMA = 8,64,00,00,000 human years
  • 8,64,00,00,000 X 360 = One BRAHMA’s Year = 3110400000000 Human years
  • 3110400000000 X 100 = 311040000000000 Human years is A Hundred years’ LIFE SPAN of BRAHMA

The Total Life Span of Brahma has Two haves : I Parartha and II Parartha Each of the two Pararthas = 155520000000000 Human years. Some more TIME UNITS of this III Phase are to be Known:

 

One KALPA or A DAY TIME of BRAHMA = 1000 Maha YUGAS or THE TIME SPAN of 14 MANUS So 1 MANU’s TIME SPAN = 1000/14 = 71 MAHA YUGAS = 1 MANVANTARAM

 

The Names of the 14 MANUS are: Svayambhuva, Svarochisha, Auttami, Tamasa, Raivata, Cakshusha, Vaiavasvata (Satyavrata), Savarna, Daksha Savarna, Brahma Savarna, Dharma Savarna, Rudra Savarna, Rauchya and Bhautya. Of these Fourteen Manvantaras the present Manvantara is the Seventh One i.e. Vaivasvata Manavantara.

 

So Presently the Human World is in the

 

II PARARTHA OF BRAHMA – IN THE SVETA VARAHA KALPA AND IN THE VAIVASVATA MANAVANTARA.

 

In this manner Indian Timescale seems to be cyclic but it is clearly linear only.

 

Accordingly if the dynasties of the Kings who ruled the country through this long span of time is to be calculated basing on the information available in the PURANAS.

 

Here are the details of the Dynasties of the Kings who ruled BHARATA VARSHA in the present MANVANTARA is given in the following manner basing the information available in the PURANAS.

 

THE RULERS OF SATYA YUGA and TRETA YUGAa) The Descendants Of Vaivasvata Manu And Suryavamsa:

 

Ikshvaku Vamsa, Ikshvaku Putra Vamsa, Raghu Vamsa, Kusa Vamsa, Kushadhvaja Vamsa, Danda Vamsa, Karusha Vamsa, Kavi Vamsa, Dishta Vamsa, Dhrushta Vamsa, Narishyanta Vamsa, Nabhaga Vamsa, Nrga Vamsa, Prishadhra Vamsa, Pramsu Vamsa, Sharyati Vamsa and Sudyumna Vamsa

 

THE DYNASTIES OF TRETA AND DVAPAR YUGAS The Descendants of Chandra Vamsa:

 

Anga Vamsa, Anu Vamsa, Anenas Vamsa, Amavasu Vamsa, Kshatra Vriddha Vamsa, Turvasu Vamsa, Druhyu Vamsa, Nahusha Vamsa andYadu Vamsa

 

Various Races of Yadu Vamsa :

 

Kakura or Andhaka Vamsa, Kratha Vamsa, Kroshtu Vamsa, Devavritha Vamsa, Nighna Vamsa, Bhajamana Vamasa, Mahabhoja Vamsa, Vrishni Vamsa, Prishni Vamsa, Shini Vamsa, Haihaya Vamsa, Raji Vamsa

 

Other Major Vamsas other than Chandra Vamsa :

 

Puru Vamsa, Garga Vamsa, Dvijamidha Vamsa, Nara Vamsa, Nila Vamsa, Puru Janamejaya Vamsa, Brihakshatra Vamsa, Brhadishu Vamsa, Mahavirya Vamsa, Sudhanu Vamsa and Suhotra Vamsa

 

DYNASTIES OF KALI AGE

 

Paurava Vamsa, Ikshvaku Vamsa, Barhadratha Vamsa, Pradyota Vamsa, Sisunaga Vamsa, Nanda Vamsa, Maurya Vamsa, Sunga Vamsa, Kanva Vamsa, Andhra Vamsa, Pramara Vamsa, Chapahani Vamsa, Agni Vamsa, Shalivahana Vamsa, Bhoja Vamsa, Tomara Vamsa, Sukla Vamsa, Panihara Vamsa, Videsha Raja Vamsas

 

GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF JAMBU DVIPA – BHARATA VARSHA

 

In this Universe the Dvipas are several thousands in number and out of them seven are important ones. Jambu, Plaksha, Salmali, Kusha, Krauncha, Saka and Pushkara are the names of the Seven Major Dvipas. These Seven Dvipas are the 7 major regions of Maha Bhumi which consists of the Seven Lokas from the Earth till the end of Dhrva Star. Out of these Seven Dvipas the Region in which human beings are dwelling that is Bhugola is identified with the name Jambu Dvipa. Some people try to locate all the seven Dvipas on this earth only. But according to the measurements of the Jambu Dvipa available in the Puranas they agree with the measurements of the human globe.

 

Here is the description of Jambu Dvipa and its subdivisions – Seven Varshas. Jambu Dvipa’s breadth (diameter) is 100,000 yojanas (A Yojana = 5 miles or 8 kilometers) and many countries and beautiful cities are to be found in it. It is full of Siddhas and Charanas, and is adorned by mountains, full of ores of all metals streaming out (aslava) from the different sides of rocks. Besides these, it is beautifully embellished by various rivers flowing from the mountains, There are these seven ranges of mountains, running from east to west, demarcating the seven VARSHAS.

 

the Himalaya, full of snow (hima) and

  • Hemakuta full of gold (hema)
  • Nisadha mountain, which is beautiful on all sides.
  • Meru, the golden mountain with its four colours on its fours sides, with an extent of 24,000 yojanas on four sides
  • The mountain Nala is studded with lapin-lazuli,
  • The mountain Sveta is yellow and full of gold.
  • The mountain Sringin is made of gold (satakumbha), and has the colors of the tail of a peacock.

These mountains are the kings among their kind, and are the abode of Siddhas and Charanas. Their inner diameter is 9,000 yojansas.

 

The sum of the breadths of these varsad and mountain ranges is breadth of the jambudvipa, as mentioned above. Of these Nila, Nisadha are the longest, and those that come after them diminish in length. So are Sveta, Hema Kuta, Himavan and Sringavan. Risabha (Meru) is said to have the same extent as Jambudvipa.

 

Hema-Kuta is shorther (than Meru) by 12,000 yojanas, and Himavan is shorter (than Meru) by 20,000 yojanas. The grat Hema-kuta is 88,000 jojanas-24

 

The Mount Hima-van is 80,000 yojanas, from east to west.

 

The dvipa (Jambudvipa) being spherical, this difference in extant of the mountains has sprung up

 

As there is distribution of the mountains, so is there a distribution of the Varsas (along with them) one after another. Many peopled districts are in them. These varsas are seven in number.

 

They (the varsas) are surrounded by insurmountable mountains. All the seven are mutually inaccessible by different rivers. In those regions, various species of animals are found everywhere.

 

The Seven Varshas in Jambu Dvipa:

 

The Varsa of the Himavat is known as Bharata. Beyond that, up ot Hema-kuta, is the land (varsa) of the Kimpurusas, and form the borders of Hema Kuta up to Nisadha is the Harivarsa.

 

The other limit of Hari-Varsa is Meru, and further on is Illvarata, beyond which extends Ramyaka to the Nila mountain. Next to Ramyaka stands the Sveta mountain in whose region is Hiranyaka (varsa) and next to it, is Sringasaka, which is also known as Kuru.

 

BHARATA VARSHA

 

Vaivasvata Manu came to be known as Bharata by his creation and protection of the people of Bharata. According to Nirukta, that place is Bharata varsa where human beings can obtain haven, emancipation and a middle course of the two.

 

Bharatavarsas has nine divisions, Viz.- Indradvipa, Kasera, Tamraparnl, Gabhastimana, Nagadvipa, Saunya, Gandharva, Varuna, and Bharata Khanda which is surrounded on all sides by the ocean. The whole of the dvipa is a thousand yojanas in extent, from north north to south. It is gradually broader from kumari (Cape Comorin) to the mouth of the Ganges, where it has risen to a height of ten thousand youjanas in an oblique direction. The Kiratas and the Yavanas inhabit the east and the west of it.

 

Bharata Khanda

 

Here exist the asramas in their due order in which the five fold disires of men are fulfilled (viz, niskama dharma as well as the four ordinary desires, consisting of dharma, artha, kama and moksa). Here, men engage in activities for the sake of obtaining Heaven and emancipation.

 

The Seven Mountains of this Region

 

There are seven prinoipal mountains in this countinent, viz., Mahendra, malaya, sahya, Sakriman, Riksavan, Vindhya and Pariyatra, and there are thousands of smaller ones adjacent to each of these. Some of these are known to have fine peaks and tablelands, covered with many kinds of trees, &c. The smaller ones are less productive, and are distinguished from the bigger ones by countrast.

 

The Mlechhas and the Aryan reside there mingling with each other without distinction, and they drink the waters of many rivers, such as the Ganges, the Sindhu, the Sarasvati, the Sutlej, the Chandrabhaga, the Yamuna, the Sarayu, the Airavati, the Vitatsa, the Devika, the Kuhu, the Gomati, the Dhautapapa, the Vahuda, the Drisadvati, the Kausiki, the Tritya, the Nischala, the Gandaki, the Iksu, the Lauhita (all these having their source in the snow clad mountains of the Himalayas)

 

The Rivers of this Region

 

The Vedasmriti, the Vetravati, the Vritraghni, the Sindhu, the Parnasa, the Narmada, the Kaveri, the Mahi, the Para, the Dhanvati, the Rupa, the Vidupa, the Venumati, the Sipa, the Avati, the Kunti (all these rivers having their source in the pariyatra mountain).

 

The Mandakini, the Dasarna, the Chitrakuta, the Tamasa, the Pippali, the Syeni, the Chitrotpala, the Vimala, the Chanchala, the Dhutavahimi, the Saktimanti, the Suni, the Lajja, the Mukuta, the Hradika (these having their source in the Risyavan mountain).

 

The Tapi, the Payosni, the Nirvindhya, the Kshipra, the Risabhas, the vena, the Vaitarani, the Visvamala, the Kumudvati, the Toya, the Mahagauri, the Durgama, the Sila (these rivers of cool water having their source in the Vindhya mountains).

 

The Godavari, the Bhimarathi, the krisnaveni, the Banjula, the Tungabhadra, the Supayoga, the Vahya, the Kaveri (these rivers in the south having their source in the Sahya mountains)

 

The Krinamala, the Tamraparni, the Puspaja, the Utpalavati (these rivers of the cool water having their source in the Malayachala mountain).

 

The Tribhaga, the Risikulya, the Iksuds, the Tridiva, the Chalatamraparni, the Muli, the Sarva, the Vimala (these having come from the Mahendra mountain) the Kasika, the Sukumari, the Madanga, the Mandavahini, the Kripa, the Pasini (these having come from Saktimanta)

 

All the rivers named above are sacred, and fall into the sea, and their waters are pure and sacred, and every on drinks from them. They are the mothers of the universe and purge the sin to the world.

 

From these rivers thousands of rivers are branched off, and into them thousands of tributaries fall.

 

NAMES OF THE RACES OF PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT REGIONS OF BHARATA VARSHA

 

In the Puranas abundant information is available regarding the races which dwelt on this globe whom the above said dynasties ruled during various ages: Entire Bharata Varsha was divided into the following categories for racial details of the human inhabitance:

 

Northern Region, Southern Region, Mountain region, Western Region, Eastern Region, Madhya Desa (Central INDIA) and Vindhya Desa. Here are the names of different races which dwelt in these areas.

 

Races of Northern Region:

 

Angalikas, Anibhadras, Aparantas, Avaganas, Aabhiras, Aurasas, Kantakaras, Kambojas, Kalatoyas, Kashmiras, Kiratas, Kunindas, Kulutas, Kaikeyas, Kshatriyas, kShduras, Gandharas, Charmakhandikas, Chinese, Chulikas, Jagudas, Tanganas, Tusharas, Tomaras, Daradas, Darvas, Dashamanakas, Daserakas, Pahlavas, Paaradas, Prasthulas, Bahulas, Bahlikas, Bharadvajas, Madrakas, Yavanas, Ramthas, Lampakas, Varvaras, Vatadhanas, Vahikas, Shatadrujas, Shudras, Sindhavas, Sauviras, Hamsamargas, Harahunakas and Hunas.

 

Races of Southern Region:

 

Andhras, Alupas, Asmkas, Aatavyas, Udbhidas, Rishikas, Kalingas, Kaveras, Kuntalas, Kumaras, Keralas, Chaishikas, Cholas, Dandakas, Nalakas, Pandyas, Pulindas, Paurikas, Bhogavardhanas, Maharashtras, Mahishakas, Mushikas, Maulikas, Vanavasakas, Vidarbhas, Vindyamulikas, Sabaras and Setus.

 

Mountain Races:

 

Karna Pravaranas, Kiratas, Kuravas, Khasas,.Tanganas, Tomaras, Trigartas, Darvas, Niraharas, Malavas, Hamsamargas, Hunas and Huhukas

 

Western Races:

 

Aparantas, Arbudas, Aanartas, Uttaranarmadas, Kacchiyas, Karaskaras, Kolavanas, Tamasas, Talikatas, Durgas, Nasikyas, Puleyas, Bharukacchhas, Maheyas, Muralas, Raminas, Surapaarakas, Saarasvatas and Surashtras.

 

Eastern Races:

 

Angas, Antargiris, Angeyas, Gonardas, Taamraliptikas, Paundras, Pragjotishikas, Bahirgiris, Brahmottaras, Bhargavangeyas, Magadhas, Maladas, Mallas, Mallakas, Mallavartakas, Mudgarakas, Vangas, Vangeyas, Videhas and Srivijayas

 

Madhyadeshikas:

 

Andhakas, Aavantas, Kaasyaas, Kiraatas, Kuntayas, Kurupanchaalas, Kulyaas, Koshalaas, Jaangalas, Patacharas, Bodhas, Bhadrakaaras, Bhulingas, Magadhas, Matsyaas, Shaalvas and Shuurasenas.

 

Vindhyadeshiyas:

 

Anupas, Avantyas, Utkalas, Uttamarnas, Karushas, Kishkindhas, Koshalas, Tundkeras,

 

Tumbavanas, Tumbaanas, Toshalas, Traipuras, Dasharnas, Nishadhas, Patavas, Bhojas, Maladas, Melakas, Vati Hotras and Vaidishas.

 

56 REGIONS OF BHARATA VARSHA

 

So far the Time Scale of Ancient India, the Dyansties ruled Bharatavarsha, the geographical description of Jambu Dvipa, Bharata Varsha and Bharata Khanda re explained. Now the other most important event to be learnt is About the 56 Regions of Bharata Varsha. The details are in the following manner.

 

Depending on the sides of the rivers these 56 regions and other geographical divisions are explained here.Before explaining the 56

 

The River side Cities:

 

On their banks are situated the following (janapadas) places: Panchala, Kuru, Salva, Jangala, Surasena, Bhadrakasa, Vahya, Muka and Matsya, Kirata, Kulya, Kuntala, Kasi, Kosala, Avanti, Kalinga, Muka and Andhaka. These are all the countries of Madhyadesa.

 

Northern Janapadas:

 

Bahlika, Vatadhana, Abhira, Kalatoyaka, Purandhra Sudra, Pallava, Atta Khandika, Gandhara, Yavanas, Sindhu, Sauvire, Madraka, Saka, Druhya, Pulinda, Parada, Harmurtika, Ramatha, Kantakara, Kaikeya, Dasanamaks, Prasthala, Daseraka, Prasthala, Daseraka, Lampaka, Talagana, Sainika, Jangala, and other places peoples peopled by te Bharadvaja Brahmanas, Ksatriya, Vaisyas, and Sudras:- These pleces (janapadas) are on the north.

 

Dakshina Janapadas:

 

Pandya, Karala, Chola, Kulya, Setuka, Sutika, Kupatha, Vajivasika, Navarastra, Mahisika, Kalinga, Karusa, Aisika, Atavya, Svara, Pulinda, Vindya, Pusika, Vidarbha, Dandaka, Kuliya, Sirala, Rupasa, Tapass Taitirika, Karaskara, Vasika and the countries on the banks of the Narmada.

 

The Western Janapadas

 

The following countries are on the western extremity of the Vindhyachala:-Malava, Karusa, Mekala, Utkala, Aundra, Masa, Dasarna, Bhoja, Kiskindhaka, Tosala, Kosala, Traipura, Vaidisa, Tumura, Tumvara Padgama, Naisadha, Arupa, Saundikara, Vitihotra, Avanti.

 

The Eastern Janapadas

 

Anga, Vanga, Madguraka, Antaragiri, Vahirgiri, Plavanga, Matanga, Yamaka, Mallavarnaks, Suhma, Uttara Pravijaya, Marga, Vageya, Malava, Pragjyotisa, Puddra, Videha, Tamraliptaka, Salva, Magadha and Gonardla.

 

The Mountain Regions

 

Nirahara, Srvaga, Kupatha, Apatha, Kuthupravarana, Urna, Darva, Samudgaka, Trigarta, Mandala, Kirata and Amara.

 

Some of the above Janapadas can be identified in the following manner.

 

Bahlika=Modern Balkha, Sindhu= The country of the upper Indus, Saka= The countries on the North West Frontier, Kaikaya=Bordering on the Sindhu Desa, Abhira:- South of Sri Konkana and on Western bank of the Tapti is the lands of the Abhiras on the Vindhya hills, Anga=Near Bhagalpur, Vanga= Also called Samatala, Eastern Bengal, Vidiha= Country lying to the North East of Magadha, Magdha=Bihar, Kerala- Modern Malabar, The strip of land between Western Ghauts and the sea north of the Kaveri, Chola=Tanjore, Pandya=Tinnevelly, Vidarbha=Berar, Saurastra or Anrta=Kathiawar, Arbuda=Abu, Malava=Malwa. Utkala=Orissa, Kiskindha=A city in the Deccan, Dasarna= The country through which the Dasan flows, Kosala= The country along the banks of the Sarayu,Tripura and Avanti=Country to the north of the Narmada (Ujjain) are the some of the places which can be identified with their modern names.

 

All these Geographical divisions into Dvipas, Varshas, Khandas, Janapadas, Mountains, Rivers and other such have lot of cultural, social and historical significance in assessing our ancient Indian history. All this material is available in Puranas.

 

A keen study of Puranas will be of a great benefit to estimate the cultural richness of our country. The Historicity of our country also well presented in the Puranic texts. So those texts should read and reread from this stand point for rewriting Indian History.

 

Summary

  • Names of the Dynasties are available in the Puranas.
  • The stories of the kings, their kingdoms and their geographical boundaries also are available.
  • Time span during which they ruled also is available.
  • The races and tribes of different regions are also available.
  • A notes on Jambudvipa, Bharatavarsha, Bharatakhanda can be learnt.
  • The accounts of 56 countries too are available.
  • Region wise rivers and the riverside Janapadas with their modern name identity also is given.
  • Now the attempt of reconciling is necessary.
you can view video on Puranas as Sources of Indian History and Culture

 

Bibliography
  • Hindu Samskriti Vishesha Anka, Gita
  • Press, Gorakhpur
  • Matsya Purana, Gita Press, Gorakhpur
  • Sanskritasahityetihasa, Acarya Ramachandra Misra, Chowkhamba, Varanasi, 2003.
  • Sri Devi Bhagavatam, Gita Press, Gorakhpur
  • Vishnu and Narada Puranas, Gita Press, Gorakhp