Introduction to Bhavishya Mahapuran

The king Shatanika receives Vyasa and the other great Munis. The king requests instructions on Dharmashastra. The Munis declare Vyasa to be the most qualified. Vyasa suggests that his disciple Sumantu should instruct. The king requests Sumantu. Sumantu describes the greatness of Bhavishya Purana and its contents.

One day, the following Maharshis arrive at the court of Mahabala Mahatma Shatanika: Bhrigu, Atri, Vasishtha, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Parashara, Vyasa, Sumantu, Jaimini, Paila, Yajnavalkya, Gautama, Bharadwaja, Narada, Parvata, Vaishampayana, Shaunaka, Daksha, Angirasa, Garga, and Galava.

Shatanika said,

“Just like my father who listened to Mahabharata and attained good realms, I too want to listen to a Purana, teaching Dharma for the attainment of good realms.”

Then those Brahmanas discussed this well together and worshipped Vyasa. They told the king to appease Vyasa to tell him this. They said,

“When he is standing here, we are not capable of telling you this well. It is not proper for the disciple to explain when the teacher himself is here. This Vyasa has Narayana’s form. He is our teacher. He is very kind and knows the best of duties. He has composed the science of what is the best for all the four Varnas – Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Just like the disease is afraid of the great medicine, the common humans are afraid of studying the science in depth. That is why he composed the expanse of Bharata. Just by reading Bharata, one achieves all the four Purusharthas – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Bharata is the direct path to the seekers of Moksha. The composer of this great Bharata Vyasa is Narayana himself.”

Sumantu:

"Dharma Shastras are created by the following 16: Manu, Vishnu, Yama, Angirasa, Daksha, Samvarta, Shaataatapa, Parashara, Apastambha, Ushanas (Shukra), Katyayana, Brihaspati, Gautama, Shankhalikhita. Haareeta, and Atri.

In order to achieve Tri-Vargas – Dharma, Artha and Kama - The 18 Puranas were narrated to Rama in Treta Yuga.

Vyasa composed Bharata including the meaning of all the Vedas and the Dharma Shastras. He composed Bharata after he understood the 18 Puranas and 8 Vyakaranas. Braahma, Aindra, Yaamya, Raudra, Vayavya, Varuna, Saavitra, and Vaishnava are the 8 Vyakaranas. Brahma, Padma, Vishnu, Shiva, Bhagavata, Naradeeya, Markandeya, Agni, Bhavishya, Brahmavaivarta, Linga, Varaha, Skanda, Vamana, Kurma, Matsya, Garuda, Brahmanda are the 18 Puranas."

Shatanika:

"I have listened to Bharata sitting on my father’s lap, when I was small. I have also heard Ramayana extensively. I haven’t heard Bhavishya Purana. Want to hear it."

Sumantu:

"That is an excellent choice. Will tell Bhavishya Purana, the 9^th among the Puranas. The benefits of listening to Bhavishya Purana are: All Papas will get cancelled, obtains the fruits of Ashwamedha Yaga, attains Surya Mandala.

This can be instructed to disciples of all the four Varnas. But except the Brahmanas and Kshatiryas, the others should not systematically study this. Shudra can only listen to this, should at no time study this Purana.

The Vaishyas and Shudras can listen to this Purana from a Brahmana, after performing Devata Archana.

Two types Dharmas – Shrauta and Smarta – are told in this Purana and hence this should only be heard through a Brahmana, never from others.

The Doshas of Karmas originating from Manas, Vak and Kaya will not touch the Brahmin who, studies this Purana, with discipline.

Whoever listens to this with devotion will attain heaven by cancelling all his Papas.

This Purana contains:

1. 1. Commonly practiced Dharma
   2. The qualities of different Karmas
   3. Doshas of different Karmas
   4. The personal and social conduct of all the four Varnas at all times
   5. The creation of the three worlds
   6. The standard protocols for all the Samskaras, beginning with Garbhadan
   7. The method of listening to Puranas and Itihasas
   8. The characteristics of the narrator of the Purana
   9. The practices recommended for the different Ashrams such as Brahmacharya
   10. The main duties of a Snataka
   11. The wedding processes of obtaining a bride, the characteristics of a man and the woman in marriage
   12. The Pancha Maha Yagnas to be performed after marriage
   13. The description of Kalpas, to be observed all the time as recommended by Sciences
   14. The characteristics of the Devata Archana
   15. The features of different occupations for livelihood
   16. The rules to be followed by a Snataka
   17. The foods that the animals should and should not eat
   18. Purity of things
   19. The behaviours to be adopted by the women
   20. The nature of Tapas
   21. The processes of obtaining Moksha
   22. The protocols for taking Sanyasa
   23. All kinds of Raja Dharmas
   24. Decision on what needs to be done and what is being done
   25. The greatness of Surya, greatness of Punya Tirthas, greatness of Narayan, greatness of Shiva, and the greatness of Brahmanas who examine the greatness of all these, the greatness of Puranas, the greatness of Durga, the greatness of telling the truth
   26. Description of practice of Dharma by a man and a woman
   27. Division of property between brothers
   28. Gambling that is not harmful to others
   29. Search for a story-teller
   30. The treatment of the Vaishyas and Shudras and the resultant Varnasankara
   31. Apad-dharma of all the Varnas and the Prayashchitta Vidhis
   32. Practices to be followed during the Sandhyas
   33. Preta Shuddhi – purification methods following a death in the family
   34. Methods of Snan and Tarpan
   35. Protocols for performing Vaishwadeva
   36. Protocols for taking a meal
   37. The sticks for brushing the teeth
   38. Protocols for washing the feet
   39. Discussion on the births and deaths that are attained according to the three types of Karma – Sanchita, Prarabdha and Agami
   40. An examination of merits and demerits of Nihshreyaka Karmas
   41. The characteristics of Danas and examination of deserve
   42. The delivery of the foetus
   43. The fruits of Punya and Papa Karmas
   44. Jati Dharma
   45. Kula Dharma
   46. Dharma to be practiced by the one who has studied the Vedas
   47. Dharma to be practiced by the strict who want to perform Yagnas.

Achara or practice is the most critical aspect of a Brahmin. Vedas will not be known to a Brahmin who does not practice Brahmana ways of living. Practice is the essence of all Tapas. Hence the greatness of practices is particularly praised in this Purana.

Brahma narrated this to Shiva. Shiva narrated this to Vishnu. Vishnu narrated this to Narada. This was passed on from Narada to Indra, Indra to Parashara, Parashara to his son Vyasa, and from Vyasa to me (Sumantu). This is obtained in a Parampara of instructors and disciples.

Vyasa composed this in 50,000[1] Shlokas.

[1] According to Devi Bhagavata, Bhavishya Purana has 14,500 Shlokas. This Kannada translation has about 26,000 Shlokas. The remaining of the 50,000 are not available. Must have been lost.