Vishnu Puran Third Ansh: The Manvantaras, Division of the Vedas, Dharma and Shraddha

The third part is about time, knowledge and conduct: how many Manus there are in a day of Brahma, how the knowledge of the Vedas was divided, and how a person should live at each stage of life.

Chapters 1 and 2: the fourteen Manvantaras

A day of Brahma holds fourteen Manus, each reign called a Manvantara. In each there is a different Indra, different seven sages and different gods, and Vishnu protects dharma in some form.

The six past Manus are Svayambhuva, Svarochisha, Uttama, Tamasa, Raivata and Chakshusha. The present, seventh Manu is Vaivasvata, son of the sun, in whose line Ikshvaku and Shri Ram were born. The seven to come are Savarni, Daksha-savarni, Brahma-savarni, Dharma-savarni, Rudra-savarni, Raucya (Deva-savarni) and Bhautya (Indra-savarni).

Chapters 3 to 6: the line of Vyasas and the division of the Vedas

In every Dvapara age a Vyasa arises to divide the one Veda into four, so that people of shorter life and lesser capacity can study it. In this Manvantara there have been twenty-eight Vyasas; the twenty-eighth is Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, son of Parashara.

Ved Vyas divided the Vedas thus:

• Rig Veda to Paila.
• Yajur Veda to Vaishampayana.
• Sama Veda to Jaimini.
• Atharva Veda to Sumantu.
• The histories and Puranas to Romaharshana (Suta ji).

Yajnavalkya: after a dispute with his teacher Vaishampayana, Yajnavalkya at his teacher's command gave back the Yajur Veda he had learned. Other disciples took it up in the form of partridges (tittiri), so that portion is called the Taittiriya, the Black Yajur Veda. Yajnavalkya then worshipped the sun, who as a horse (vaji) gave him a new Yajur Veda, called the Vajasaneyi or White Yajur Veda.

Chapter 7: the Yama Gita

Bhishma told Nakula that Yama once instructed his messengers: "Do not go near the devotees of Vishnu. I am lord of all, but not of them. Who is Vishnu's devotee? One who does not stray from duty, is even towards friend and foe, takes no one's wealth, harms no one, is pure in mind, does not lie and sees God in all. My messengers should bow to such a person from afar."

Chapters 8 to 10: varna and ashrama

The greatest worship of God is doing one's own duty. The duties of each varna are described, and the four stages of life:

• Brahmacharya: living with the teacher and gaining knowledge with self-discipline.
• Grihastha: marrying, raising a family, welcoming guests, giving charity, and supporting all the other stages. The householder stage is called the most important, since all others depend on it.
• Vanaprastha: when the children are grown, gradually withdrawing from pleasures towards spiritual practice.
• Sannyasa: giving up all attachment and fixing the mind on God.

The rites from birth to marriage and the kinds of marriage are also described.

Chapters 11 and 12: right conduct

The householder's daily conduct is set out:

• Rise at brahma muhurta and remember God.
• Cleanliness, bathing, sandhya prayers and worship.
• The five daily offerings: study of the Veda, water to the ancestors, the fire offering, food for living creatures, and hospitality to guests.
• Never turn a guest away empty-handed; see God in the guest.
• Speak truth pleasantly, speak ill of no one, honour elders and eat in moderation.

Chapters 13 to 16: shraddha

The importance, timing and method of shraddha for the ancestors are given: on Amavasya, in Pitru Paksha, and on occasions of birth and death. Faith (shraddha) is its essence, which is why it bears that name. If one has no means, water, sesame and a prayer in the ancestors' names, or simply feeding grass to a cow, are enough. The Vishnu Puran has a moving passage: one who has nothing should go to a lonely place, raise both arms and say to the ancestors, "I have neither wealth nor food; I bow to you with faith and devotion alone. May you be satisfied."

Chapters 17 and 18: Mayamoha and the story of Shatadhanu

The gods were losing to the asuras because the asuras followed the Vedic dharma. Vishnu brought forth Mayamoha from his body, who taught the asuras arguments against the Vedas and led them away from dharma, so that they grew weak. Dharma is strength; those who abandon it weaken themselves.

Finally comes the story of King Shatadhanu and his wife Shaibya. After bathing once, the king spoke with a deceiver, while the queen turned away. For this the king passed several births as animals, and the faithful queen, in each of his births, reminded him of who he was and finally redeemed him. Avoid company that turns one from dharma; life partners can uplift each other.

What this part teaches

• Sharing knowledge in a simpler form suited to the times is also God's work; Vyasa divided the Vedas so all could study.
• Even Yama stands back from a true devotee; a devotee is known by conduct.
• The householder stage supports all; hospitality and charity are its dharma.
• In shraddha faith matters, not wealth; even an empty-handed salutation reaches the ancestors.