Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 12 Chapter 7:16-25

Book 12: Chapter 7

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 12: Chapter 7: Verses 16-25 "Varmsa" denotes the line, extending over (all) the three divisions of time (viz., the past, present and future), of king of pure descent (as sprung from Brahma). A connected account of such kings as also of their descendants (upholding the honour and prestige of the line is (what has been referred to by the name of) Vamsanucarita. The fourfold dissolution of this (visible) universe, manifested by Maya, viz., 1-occasional, 2-Prakritika, 3-constant and 4-radical, has been spoken of by the sage as "Samstha". The "Hetu" (cause) of creation etc., of this (phenomenal) universe is the Jiva (the individual soul), the doer of actions prompted by ignorance, which some people (who stress its spiritual nature) characterize as having to its credit a stock of unrequited Karma; while others (who emphasize its conditioned existence) declare it as nameless and formless.'Apasraya' stands for Brahma (the Absolute), which is present in (all) the (three) states undergone by a Jiva (individual soul), viz., wakefulness, dream and deep slumber, as well as in all substances which are products of Maya (as their cause), and is also distinct from them, (nay,) which actually runs through all the (nine) states undergone by a living organism, from entry into the womb in the form of a seed to death (as their ground or substratum), and is also distinct from them (as their witness) even like the material of which substances are made or as bare existence. underlying names and forms. When the mind becomes still of its own accord (through realization of the illusoriness of Sarga etc., as in the case of Vamadeva and other sages) or through concentration (practised in one's current life, as in the case of mother Devahuti and others), then one realizes the Self (consequent on the cessation of ignorance due to absence of distraction) and, transcending the three states (of consciousness), withdraws from (worldly) activity. Sages well-versed in the antiquities tell us of eighteen Puranas, big and small (in volume), distinguished by the aforesaid characteristics. The eighteen Puranas go by the names of Brahma, Padma, Visnu, Siva, Linga, Garuda, Narada, Bhagavata, Agni, Skanda, Bhavisya, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya, Vamana, Varaha, Matsya, Kurma and Brahmanda. In this way has been duly narrated (by me), 0 Brahmana sage, the story as to how the sage Vedavyasa and his pupils, their own pupils and pupils of their pupils classified the Vedas into (so many) branches- a story which intensifies to a great extent the Brahmanical (spiritual) glory (of those who listen to it). Thus ends the seventh discourse in Book Twelve of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.