Vishnu Purana

We are pleased to present this free digital edition of the Vishnu Purāna, translated into English by the renowned scholar Manmatha Nath Dutt. This classic work forms part of our continuing effort to make the treasures of Hindu sacred literature accessible to readers across the world.

The Vishnu Purāna is one of the eighteen Mahāpurānas, the major Purānic texts of Hindu tradition. Among these, it holds a place of particular significance—not only for its devotional focus on Lord Vishnu but also for its literary and philosophical excellence. Scholars regard it as the oldest Purāna, with its composition dated around 300 BCE.

Throughout the centuries, the Vishnu Purāna has enjoyed widespread popularity, as evidenced by the thousands of manuscripts discovered across the Indian subcontinent. Its pervasive presence in the manuscript tradition testifies to its enduring appeal and influence on Indian cultural, religious, and philosophical thought.

This Purāna is often hailed as the ideal Purāna, as it presents the five essential characteristics of a Purāna—Sarga (creation), Pratisarga (secondary creation), Vamsa (lineages of the gods and sages), Manvantara (cosmic cycles), and Vamsānucarita (lineages of kings)—in a clear, concise and methodical manner. This structural clarity, combined with its profound theological and cosmological insights, makes it a vital text for students and scholars alike.

Manmatha Nath Dutt’s English translation remains one of the most accessible and faithful renditions of this great work. His scholarship, rooted in deep respect for the original Sanskrit, opens the door for readers unfamiliar with the language to engage with one of the cornerstones of Hindu literature.

In this edition, the six books of the Vishnu Purāna have been assigned thematic titles—Creation, World, Society, Dynasties, Krishna, and Dissolution—to give readers a clearer sense of the content and structure of each section. These titles are editorial additions and do not appear in the original text. They have been introduced with the intention of enhancing readability and orientation for modern audiences.

This edition retains the transliteration style of the original 19th-century English translation by Manmatha Nath Dutt. While partial diacritical marks (e.g., Purāna, Mahāpurāna) are used within the text to reflect Sanskrit pronunciation, the book title and front matter omit diacritics. This choice is intended to preserve the character of the historical edition while making the work accessible to modern readers.

We offer this edition in the spirit of service and learning, hoping it will contribute to the continued study and appreciation of India’s ancient wisdom.