Vishnu Purana

[3][4][5] More than any other major Purana, the Vishnu Purana presents its contents in Pancalaksana format – Sarga (cosmogony), Pratisarga (cosmology), Vamsa (genealogy of the gods and goddesses, sages and kings and queens), Manvantara (cosmic cycles), and Vamsanucarita (legends during the times of various kings and queens).

It is as if they were libraries to which new volumes have been continuously added, not necessarily at the end of the shelf, but randomly.Many of the extant manuscripts were written on palm leaf or copied during the British India colonial era, some in the 19th century.

[31] The Vishnu Purana is an exception in that it presents its contents in Vishnu worship-related Pancalaksana format – Sarga (Cosmogony), Pratisarga (Cosmology), Vamsa (Mythical genealogy of the gods, sages, and kings), Manvantara (Cosmic Cycles), and Vamsanucaritam (Legends During The Times Of Various Kings and Queens).

[6][7][8] This is rare, state Dimmitt and van Buitenen, because just 2% of the known Puranic literature corpus is about these five Pancalaksana items, and about 98% is about diverse range of encyclopedic topics.

"[27][35] The first Amsha (part) of Vishnu Purana presents cosmology, dealing with the creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe.

[36] The Hindu god Vishnu is presented as the central element of this text's cosmology, unlike some other Puranas where Shiva or Brahma or the Tridevi are offered prominence.

[40] Vishnu is described in the first book of Vishnu Purana as, translates Wilson, all elements, all matter in the world, the entire universe, all living beings, as well as Atman (Inner Self, essence) within every living being, nature, intellect, ego, mind, senses, ignorance, wisdom, the four Vedas, all that is and all that is not.

[33][43] The seven continents are named Jambu, Plaksha, Salmala, Kusha, Krauncha, Saka, and Pushkara, each surrounded by different types of oceans (saltwater, freshwater, wine, sugarcane juice, ghrita, yogurt, and milk).

[45] The initial chapters of the third book of the Vishnu Purana presents its theory of Manvantaras, (each 306.72 Million Years Long[46]).

[33][50] The Vishnu Purana asserts that the Brahmana should study the Shastras, worship deities and perform libations on behalf of others, the Kshatriya should maintain arms and protect the earth, the Vaishya should engage in commerce and farming, while the Shudra should subsist by profits of trade, service other varnas and through mechanical labor.

[51][52] The text asserts the ethical duties of all Varnas is to do good to others, never abuse anyone, never engage in calumny or untruth, never covet another person's wife, never steal another's property, never bear ill-will towards anyone, never beat and kill anyone wrongfully.

[53][52] Be diligent in the service of the deities, sages and gurus, asserts the Purana, and seek the welfare of all creatures, one's own children and of one's own soul.

[55] The text describes in chapter 2.9, the four stages of life as Brahmacharya (Student), Grihastha (Householder), Vanaprastha (Retirement) and Sannyasa (Renunciation, Mendicant).

[58] The third book closes with the Legend Of Vishnu, through Mayamoha, helping the Devas and Devis win over Asuras and Asuris by teaching the Asuras and Asuris heretical doctrines that deny the Vedas, who declare their contempt for the Vedas, which makes them easy to identify and all are killed.

[33][60][61] The text includes the legends of numerous characters such as Shaubhri, Mandhatri, Narmada, Kapila, Rama, Nimi, Janaka, Satyavati, Puru, Yadu, Krishna, Devaka, Pandu, Kuru, Bharata, Bhishma, and others.

[66] The book begins with the story of Krishna's birth, his childhood pranks and plays, his exploits, and killing the demon-tyrant king of Mathura, named Kamsa.

[63][73] Contemplative devotion, asserts the text, is the union with the Brahman (supreme soul, ultimate reality), which is only achievable with virtues such as compassion, truth, honesty, disinterestedness, self-restraint and holy studies.

A translation of the critical edition was published in 2021 under the title, The Vishnu Purana: Ancient Annals of the God with Lotus Eyes.