Harivamsa
Also known as: Harivamsha, Harivaṃśa
A Vaishnava appendix to the Mahabharata, the Harivamsa catalogs the genealogy of Hari (Vishnu/Krishna), sketches cosmogony and dynastic lists, and narrates Krishna’s birth, childhood exploits, marriages, and wars through the Yadava saga.
Description
The Harivamsa (“Lineage of Hari”) completes the Mahabharata by supplying a Vaishnava genealogy and a suite of narratives centered on Vishnu’s Krishna incarnation. Organized in three parts—Harivamsa Parva, Vishnu Parva, and Bhavishya Parva—it blends mythic cosmogony and theogonies with detailed dynastic catalogs (solar and lunar lineages). Its narrative heart relates Krishna’s birth in Mathura, his childhood in Vraja, the overthrow of Kamsa, the Yadavas’ move to Dvaraka, conflicts with Jarasandha and others, and marriages to Rukmini and Satyabhama, among further episodes like the Govardhana rite and Naraka’s fall. The text exhibits Puranic style within an epic frame and preserves early Vaishnava theology and cult practice.
Historiography
Surviving in multiple recensions, the Harivamsa was critically edited in the 20th century, revealing substantial variation between northern and southern traditions and clear signs of stratification. Scholars treat it as a khila to the Mahabharata, with early cores likely near the Common Era and layers added through the early medieval period. Its narratives were influential on later Puranas, especially the Bhagavata and Vishnu Puranas. Modern translations and the BORI critical edition have shaped contemporary understanding of its textual history.
Date Notes
A Vaishnava khila (appendix) to the Mahabharata; material accrued over several centuries with distinct northern/southern recensions and later sectarian layers.
Archetypes
Major Characters
- Krishna
- Balarama
- Vishnu
- Vasudeva
- Devaki
- Nanda
- Kamsa
- Pradyumna
- Aniruddha
- Jarasandha
Myths
- Cosmogony and Genealogies of the Vrishnis
- Krishna’s Childhood Deeds in Vraja
- The Slaying of Kaṁsa
- Krishna and Balarama’s Exploits
Facts
- Treated as a khila (appendix) to the Mahabharata, focused on Vishnu/Krishna.
- Tradition divides it into three parvas: Harivamsa, Vishnu, and Bhavishya.
- Centers on Yadava genealogies and Krishna’s life from birth to kingship.
- Combines epic narration with Puranic-style myth, hymn, and catalogue.
- Preserves early Vaishnava theology and cultic motifs such as Govardhana.
- Textual layers reveal northern/southern recensions and later sectarian edits.
- Influenced later Puranas, notably Bhagavata and Vishnu Puranas.
- Features key episodes: Kamsa’s overthrow, founding of Dvaraka, Naraka-vadha.
- Includes cosmogony, theogony, avatar lists, manvantara cycles, and dynastic lists.
- Ascribed to Vyasa by tradition, but authorship and redaction are composite.
- Critical editorial work in the 20th century clarified major interpolations.
- Important source for Krishna’s childhood (Vraja) and royal (Dvaraka) cycles.