The Purana names rulers like "Mahamada Ghori" (Muhammad of Ghor) and describes the "Beesh Matang" (or English merchants) who will come from islands and dominate the world.
This section focuses exclusively on the worship of Surya (the Sun God). It contains the narrative of Samba, the son of Krishna, who was cured of leprosy by worshipping Surya.
Among the eighteen major Puranas (Mahapuranas) in Hindu literature, the Bhavishya Purana holds a uniquely controversial and fascinating position. The very name "Bhavishya" translates to "future" in Sanskrit. Unlike other Puranas that focus on cosmology, genealogies of gods, or ancient histories (Itihasa), the Bhavishya Purana is famous—or infamous—for its prophecies. It claims to contain records of events that were yet to occur at the time of its composition, spanning from the reign of the British East India Company to the advent of Jesus Christ as a holy figure.
For English-speaking scholars, spiritual seekers, and curious readers, accessing this ancient text has been a challenge. The search for a reliable Bhavishya Purana English translation is fraught with questions of authenticity, interpolations, and incomplete manuscripts. This article serves as your definitive guide to understanding, finding, and interpreting the Bhavishya Purana in English.
The Bhavishya Purana (“The Chronicle of the Future”) is one of the 18 major Mahapuranas in Hinduism. Unlike other Puranas that focus on cosmology or past dynasties, it uniquely contains prophecies about future events, including the rise of Islam, Christianity, Mughal rule, and the British in India. However, scholars widely agree that many of these “prophecies” are likely interpolations (later additions, 15th–18th century) rather than ancient content.
The demand for a complete, scholarly Bhavishya Purana English translation is high, but the supply is problematic. Here is the current landscape:
The final section deals with the glory of Lord Shiva, the merits of observing fasts (like Ekadashi), and the importance of charity (Dana). It serves as a philosophical conclusion to the text, emphasizing devotion (Bhakti) and righteousness (Dharma).
The text describes the advent of a demonic or teacherly figure named Mahamada (Arabic: Muhammad) in the desert. Depending on the translator's bias, the tone is either derogatory or respectful. The text accurately predicts the circumcision of followers, their dietary restrictions (no pork), and their monotheism.
This section describes the Manus (progenitors of humanity) and the history of the world during their respective eras. It details the duties of man and the conduct of life according to Vedic principles.