Vamana Purana – Saro Mahatmya

Description

Vamana Purana is narrated by Maharshi Pulastya to Narada. It covers Sati’s life, Daksha Yagnya, Veerabhadra and Bhairava’s incarnations, Lingodbhava (birth of Sivalinga), Prahlada’s encounter and war with Nara and Narayana. Vamana Purana describes the greatness of Dharma whether followed by human, Rakshasas or Devas. The Purana recounts the narration of a Daitya King, an ardent follower of Dharma and how he was protected by Mahadeva Siva from Surya and how Surya got the name of Lolarka in the process. It describes Narakas (hell) in great detail and provides various measures using which one can wash away their Paapa (sins) and prevent one from going over into Naraka. Vishnu Puja,Ekadasi Vrata are also covered in this Purana. Second half of the Purana recounts the Vamana Avatara, life of Sati, Parvati and Katikeya’s encounter with Tarakasura and slaying of the latter. Andhakasura’s obsession with Parvati, Prahlada’s dharma bodha to Andhakasura, Victory of Siva over Andhakasura, Gajendra Moksha are also explained in detail. Vishnu Panjara Stotra, Papa Prasamana Stotra are the gens provided in this Purana for Sadhakas.

Saro Mahatmya of this Purana describes in great detail various Theertha Kshetra in and around Kurukshetra and the importance of Kurukshetra is highlighted in this Purana significantly.