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Introduction
This
Puraan is in the form of dialog, when Maharshi Ved Vyaas' disciple Sumantu,
Vashishth, Paraashar, Jaimini, Yaagyavalkya, Gautam etc went to Raajaa Shataaneek's
court. Shataaneek was the descendent of Paandav. There Maharshi Sumantu
told this to Raajaa.
This
Puraan is a very high standard book with regard to its subject matter,
writing style and the poetic style. It includes religion, good conduct,
ethics, fasts, Teerth, Dharm, good moral actions, Vrat (fasts and vows), Teerth (holy places),
Daan (charity), astrology, and topics related Aayurved (Indian traditional
medicines). This
Puraan tells us about Soorya Dev (Sun). It is divided in 4 parts
1-Braahm
Parv
Its most part is devoted to Soorya Dev and his worship.
2-Madhyam
Parv
Soorya Dev related stories are also equally interesting in
Braahm Parv and Madhyam Parv. Its
another attraction is its Madhyam Parv that describes the total Karm Kaand (about
action). All Vrat and Daan (charity) have been extensively described in
this Parv. They are never described anywhere else, in any Puraan or in any Dharm book
(religious book), so extensively.
3-Pratisarg
Parv
Stories
under Vetaal-Vikram dialog are the part of 23 Chapters of 2nd Khand, of
Pratisarg Parv. They are so interesting and enchanting that they appear in
Brihat Kathaa also written by Gunaadhyaaya; "Brihat Kathaa Manjaree"
written by Kshemendra; and "Kathaa Saritsaagar" written by
Somdev. The same
stories, they are 25 in all, are best known as Vetaal-Panch-Vinshati in
Sanskrit or Vetaal Pachcheesee in Hindi language. Satya
Naaraayan Kathaa is also a part of this Puraan - from 24th to 29th Chapter
(6 Chapters) of 2nd Khand of Pratisarg Parv. Aalhaa-Oodal's story is also based on this
Puraan. Its
another attraction is that the description of future Bhaarat Varsh (India)
is given here in 3rd and 4th Khand of Pratisarg Parv. It describes
Harshvardhan, Alaa-uddeen, Muhammad Tuglak, Taimoor Lang, Baabar, Akbar etc kings.
4-Uttar
Parv
Many kinds of Daan and Vrat are very good
in Uttar Parv.
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