Harivamsa and Mahabharata are complementary to each other. Harivamsa especially describes the pastimes of the Supreme Lord that took place after the battle at Kuruksetra, including His pastimes of disappearance. Harivamsa is considered to be a supplement of Mahabharata.

It is divided into three parts- Harivamsa-parva, Visnu-parva and Bhavisya-parva. Harivamsa-parva has fifty-five chapters, Visnu-parva has one hundred twenty-eight chapters and Bhavisya-parva has one hundred thirty-five chapters. Harivamsa consists of about sixteen thousand verses.

Harivamsa was first recited by the great sage, Vaisampayana, to King Janmejaya. In that assembly, Ugrasrava or Sauti was also present. Later on, by the request of the sages at Naimisaranya, headed by Saunaka, Sauti again recited it.

Excerpts from Review:

Many Gaudiya-vaisnava acaryas have quoted evidence from Harivamsa in their writings. There is no doubt that the readers of this book will find it both interesting and beneficial for their cultivation of Krsna consciousness.

yad vajapeyena tu rajasuyad
drstarh phalam hasti-rathena canyat
tal-labhyate vyasa-vacah pramanam
gitam ca valmiki-maharsina ca

The great sages, Valmiki and Vyasadeva, have said that the piety one gains by performing the Vajapeya and Rajasuya sacrifices, and by giving away chariots drawn by elephants, can be attained by giving Harivamsa in charity.

-Sri Harivamsa, Harivamsa Parva 6

For one who hears the topics of Harivamsa, which was spoken by Srila Vyasadeva, and which is incomparable, auspicious, pure, the destroyer of sinful reactions and most beneficial-what is the need to take a holy bath in the sacred water at Puskara?

-Sri Harivamsa, Harivamsa Parva 2

The great sage, Vyasadeva, has said that the piety one achieves by performing one hundred horse-sacrifices, which enables one to establish four thousand food distribution centers serving an inexhaustible quantity of food, and rewards one with the position of Indra, is achieved simply by giving this most sacred literature, Harivamsa, in charity.

-Sri Harivamsa, Harivamsa Parva 5

CHAPTER ONE
Invocation-The Original Creation by the Lord		1
CHAPTER TWO
The Dynasty of Svayambhuva Manu-A Description of the Appearance of Prajapati Daksa		17
CHAPTER THREE
Further Expansion of the Creation by Daksa-Description of the Offspring of Daksa's Daughters		33
CHAPTER FOUR
The Story of King Prthu		68
CHAPTER FIVE
Characteristics of King Prthu-The Destruction of King Vena		77
CHAPTER SIX
The Milking of Mother Earth in the Form of a Cow		92
CHAPTER SEVEN
A Description of the Manus		107
CHAPTER EIGHT
A Description of the Four Yugas-The Reign of the Various Manus-Calculation of Brahma's Duration of Life		128
CHAPTER NINE
The Birth of Vaivasvata Manu		140
CHAPTER TEN
A Description of the Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu, and the Birth of Pururava		158
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The Slaying of the Demon Dhundhumara		168
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Appearance of the Sage Galava		184
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A Description of Topics Regarding Trisanku and Harisacandra		191
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The Birth and Characteristics of King Sagara		201
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A Description of the Surya Dynasty		209
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The Glories of the Sraddha Ceremony-Santanu Personally accepts Oblations from Bhisma		219
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Conversation Between Bhisma and the Sage Markandeya Conversation Between Markandeya and Sanatkumara		232
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
A Detailed Description of the Forefathers-Markandeya obtains Transcendental Vision		244
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The Conclusion of the Conversation Between Markandeya and Sanatkumara		266
CHAPTER TWENTY
The Story of King Brahmadatta and the Bird, Pujaniya		273
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Markandeya Describes the Glories of Performing the Sraddha Ceremony		310
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Sucivak, Curses Three Other Swans Headed by Svatantra		322
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The Swans are Born in Kampilya as Brahmdatta and Others		325
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Conversation of the Ants, Overheard by Brahmadatta		335
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The Birth of the Moon-god		345

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