The Bhavishya Purana presents a picture of the future of "Bharat Varsha". It also deals with Sun worship, temple structure, marriages and other issues.
Some sages approached Shatanika, a disciple of Veda Vyasa, and asked him what his master had to say about righteous conduct. Shatanika went to Veda Vyasa for instruction. Veda Vyasa directed Shatanika to his other pupil Sumantu. The discourse given by Sumantu to Shatanika forms the basis of the Bhavishya Purana.
Bhavishya means future and in the Purana there are references to dynasties and personages of the second millennium after the birth of Christ. These are presented as predictions in the Bhavishya Purana. Some scholars see these as later additions to the Purana presented as if they were predictions. It is believed that the Hindu scriptures have evolved over time with later sages making entries alongside earlier works.
The Eight Types of Marriages
This classification of marriages is available in many Hindu texts. It is not always indicated that this classification was first made in the Bhavishya Purana.
Brahma: The parents of a boy who has completed his education approach the parents of a suitable girl, requesting her hand. No dowry is taken from the girl’s family but the girl may bring with her expensive garments and jewelry. The wedding is conducted ceremoniously.
Daiva: The parents of the girl approach the parents of a learned boy, usually a priest, and request them to accept her as a bride for their son. It is expected that the girl take with her expensive garments and jewelry. The wedding is conducted ceremoniously.
Arsha: The girl is given in marriage to a sage, usually much older than her. In return the parents of the girl receive a bull and a cow from the sage.
Prajapatya: The girl’s father gives his daughter in marriage to the boy instructing them to discharge their religious and civic duties, which includes procreation.
Gandharva: The boy and girl solemnize the marriage themselves, usually before fulfilling their sexual desire. There is no formal ceremony but the couple makes a pledge with God or Nature as the witness. Sometimes garlands are exchanged.
Asura: The bride’s parents give the girl to an entirely unsuitable male for a hefty price. Usually the male is someone powerful and rich who is enamored of the girl and forces the parents to comply or the girl’s parents are plain greedy. This marriage is often entered into when the girl is not the ‘parents’ own daughter but a ward whose presence is proving burdensome.
Rakshasa: This is the forcible abduction of the girl, usually after war.
Paishacha: The girl is seduced into marriage by intoxicating her so that she is not aware of what is happening. This form of marriage is done against the girl’s will.
The Sun Worshippers
The Bhavishya Purana describes various sun worshippers. Predominant among them are the Magas. The Magas were worshippers of the Surya and Agni, the Sun and Fire demi-Gods. They hailed from Shakadvipa, which has been identified with present day Iran.
There was a sage named Rajivha, whose daughter Nikshubha eloped with Surya. The descendants of their son, Jarashabda, were the Magas. The Magas have a lot in common with the Zoroastrians, who hailed from Iran. The holy book of the Zoroastrians, the Avesta, describes five types of fires, as does the Bhavishya Purana. There is a similarity in the names of Zarathustra and Jarashabda. The Magas wore a sacred thread around their waist, which was known as “avyanga”. The Zoroastrians also wore a similar sacred thread that they called “avoyonhana”.
Academicians argue who came first, the Magas or the Zoroastrians.
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