The great Saga Vyasa – the writer of the epic of Mahabharata and the Puranas, was an eminent writer of his times, the parallel of whom is difficult to find in the religious history of India. In spite of composing his epic of the Mahabharata comprising a lac of verses, it is believed that he still felt dissatisfied and intended to create further literature. With this end in view, he composed the Harivamsa, which is believed to be an appendix to the great epic of the Mahabharata.
The main object for the composition of Harivamsa has apparently been to sing the praise of Lord Visnu, which is divided into three Parvas, viz. Harivamsa Visnu Parva and Bhavisya Parva. The three Parvas deal with subjects of the creation of the world, the king of the solar and lunar dynasties, the Yadu race, besides the birth of Lord Krsna and his childhood sports. In fact Visnu Parva deals with the childhood sports of Si Kesna. Though traces of some future events are found at the start of the Bhavisya Parva, matters like the creation of the world, the incarnation of Visnu Vamana and Narsimha are also mentioned, besides Siva and Visnu constitute the main theme of the Parva.
The Adi Parva, chapter 2 of the Mahabharata, testified about the authorship of Harivamsa, which rests with the sage Vyasa, as follows
A Graduate of Punjab University has served the Archaeological Survey of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs for over four decades, in Curatorial and other capacities. He has to his credit the scientific documentation of over fifty thousand antiquities, such as sculptures, bronzes, paintings, pottery, and beads, etc., ranging from the earliest times to the late medieval period. He was given an award by the Government of Himachal Pradesh in 1983 for his monograph on the antiquarian remains of that state. He was also awarded a Fellowship for his monograph on the Temples of Himachal Pradesh 1987-89 by the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. He was given the Anuvada Shri Award for 2007 – 2008 by the Bharatiya Anuvada Parishad, New Delhi.
He has been associated with the Government of Sikkim as a Consultant for the setting up of the sculptures at Siddhesvara Dham for over four years and has to his credit the publication of nearly ninety books, including ancient India art, various regional Ramayanas, and Puranas.
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