Harivamsa

Structure

Harivamsa is divided into three books or Parvas. The first book named Adi Parva contains 55 chapters describing creation of the cosmos and the legendary history of the kings of the Solar and Lunar dynasties leading up to the birth of Krishna. The second book named Vishnu Parva contains 128 chapters recounting the legend of Krishna up to the events prior to the Mahabharata. The third booked named Bhavishya Parva contains 135 chapters presenting two alternate theories of creation, hymns to Shiva and Vishnu, and a description of Kali Yuga.