KALKI-PURĀNA, an important one among the UPAPURANAS, is, now, for the first time being critically edited. Although it has been published several times by different publishers at various places of the country, none of which can unfortunately claim to be critical. In thirty five chapters the heroic exploits of KALKI, said to be the latest incarnation of God among the Hindu pantheon, have been described. He put an end to the advancing attempt of the KALI age which has a disastrous effect on the society. In fact, the wretched condition of the people and the society under the evil influence of KALKI has been painted in the very first chapter of it. In order to get rid of KALI's evil influence and purge the society of the gross misconduct and injustice, and save the earth from total annihilation, the Lord paid heed to the mass prayer of the Gods, took his birth in the village of SAMBHALA, set on a religious march, defeated antagonists including the Bauddhas and others and reestablished DHARMA. All other good things such as sacrifice, benevolence, penance which were completely demolished by the advent of KALI, came to be revitalised and the people who served the SUDRAS, sold Vedas, carried on merchandise of liquid thing, meat etc., came into contact with wives of others became the bubbles that burst out at the first contact.

Although this PURĀNA can be regarded as more less a Vaisnava purāṇā, examples are not rare where attempts have been made to incorporate it some verses or even one entire chapter wherein hands of the Saivas are visible. A few verses in apotheosis of SIVA, the entire fourth chapter which describes a boon granted by SIVA may be referred to in this connection to substantiate this contention. The Vaiṣṇava supremacy, however, continued to dominate over others and the devotees being eager to propagate their tenets have brought forth several passages-the seventh chapter entitled "HARIBHAKTI" requires special mention in this regard, the intergrity of which may be questioned.

**Contents and Sample Pages**