Introduction to Koorm Puran – Part 1

Sadhak (peseverer) and udasin (neutral) are the distinctions of grihasthashram. The man who keeps busy in the sustenance of his family is called 'Sadhak grihastha' and he who after becoming free from the debt of gods, debt of father, and debt of rishis engages into the sustenance of his family is called ' Udasin grihastha’.

The two distinctions of Vaanprasthashram are tapas and sanyasik. The perseverers who live in the forest and perform yajna, hawan and other religious rituals are called 'Tapas vaanprasthi and the perseverers who pray and worship God by arduous tapa are called 'Sanyasik vaanprasthi.

Paarmeshthik and Yogi are the distinctions of Sanyasashram. Keeping senses in control and thus desiring to get moksha (emancipation) through Yog are called 'Paarmeshthik sanyasi and they who view supreme soul in their soul are said to be the 'yogi sanyasi’.

After that, ashram dharma, the steps to acquire sanyas, the signs of brahm-arpan, and the karmyogi have been explained in detail. The emergence of cosmos and the creation of universe have been narrated in detail in the fourth chapter. The different names of Lord Vishnu have been explained in this context.

Thereafter, there is description of four yugs, counting of period, salvation of earth by Lord Vishnu through Varah- avatar, creation of nine types of universe, birth of demon Madhu-Kaitabh, execution of Madhu-Kaitabh by Lord Vishnu, and different appearances and names of Lord Shiv.

Extremely intriguing description has been made of prayer and worship of Shakti (mother power) in the 11th chapter. There are episodes of the birth of Sati-Parwati, and Bhagwati showing Himalaya her vast appearance after narrating the glory of Bhagwati, and the prayer of the goddess by Himalaya with her 1008 names.

There are the stories of the birth of the daughters of Daksh, 49 fires, forefathers, and descend of Ganga in the 12th and 13th chapters. The story of King Prithu has been mentioned while describing the dynasty of self-styled Manu in the 13th chapter itself. After that, the episode related with Goddess Sati begins. But this episode is different in comparison to that described in the other Purans. There are narrations of Daksh organizing yajna at Kankhal, leaving of her life in Daksh's yajna by Sati, destruction of Daksh's yajna by Veerbhadra, and Lord Shiv appearing at Daksh's yajna and offering boon to Daksh.

First of all, in the 15th chapter, there is episode of the execution of demon named Hiranyakashipu by Lord Vishnu in the appearance of Nrisingh. After that, the execution of demon Hiranyaksh by Lord Vishnu's incarnate Varah and the story of Prahlad are described. In the story of Prahlad, there are episodes of the devotee Prahlad rising to fight against Lord Vishnu to avenge his father's death due to a curse of Brahmin and then taking refuge in Lord Vishnu and obtaining his supreme position.

Thereafter, there are stories of invoking curse on the envious Brahmins by Maharshi Gautam, Andhakasur launching an attack on Kailash after being attracted to the beauty of Bhagwati Parwati, battle between Shiv and Andhak, the defeated Andhak instituting prayer of Lord Mahadev, offerance of the position of Gana to Andhak, and accepting him as son by Shiv-Shiva. At the end of this chapter, there are the description of eating of the world by Matrikaas produced by Lord Vishnu and Matrikaas going to the refuge of Lord Shiv on being preached for doing so by Lord Vishnu.

The defeat of gods by the king of demons, Bali, Lord Vishnu incarnating as Vaman-avatar and asking Bali to donate three steps of land, and Bali proceeding to Patal are the stories which are narrated in the 16th and 17th chapters. The story of the birth of Ravan and Kumbhkaran, and the geneses of the families of Maharshi Vashishtha and Vyasji have been described in the 18th chapter. The sun dynasty in the 19th chapter and describing the Ikshvaku dynasty in the 20th chapter, an introduction has been made of Sagar, Asmanjas, Dilip, Bhagirath, Harishchandra, Shri Ram, LaV, Kush, and King Shratayu.

Describing the Moon dynasty in the 21st chapter, there is mention of Budh, Pururava, Nahush, Yayati, and other kings. The hierarchy of Yadu, the son of king Yayati, has also been described in this chapter.

The hierarchy of King Jaydhwaj and the character of King Durjay have been described in the 22nd chapter. In this context, there is the episode of the departure of King Durjay to Varanasi on the advice of Maharshi Kanva and becoming free of sins by praying and worshipping the Vishveeshwar Jyotirling situated there.