The Outline (Anukramaṇī) of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa
पातालनरकाख्यानं सप्तस्वर्गनिरूपणम् । सूर्यादिवारकथनं पृथग्लक्षणसंयुतम् ॥ ६ ॥
pātālanarakākhyānaṃ saptasvarganirūpaṇam | sūryādivārakathanaṃ pṛthaglakṣaṇasaṃyutam || 6 ||
Nele há o relato de Pātāla (as regiões subterrâneas) e dos infernos, a exposição dos sete céus, e a descrição do Sol e de outros corpos celestes, juntamente com a explicação dos dias da semana—cada qual com suas características próprias.
Suta (narrating the Purana’s contents in an Anukramanika-style summary)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
This verse signals a cosmological teaching: the Purana distinguishes realms (Pātāla, Naraka, Svarga) and explains their defining features, encouraging ethical living by showing the consequences and higher aims reflected in the universe’s structure.
Indirectly, it supports Bhakti by framing the cosmos and time (vāras) as ordered under divine governance; such knowledge is traditionally used to align one’s worship, vows, and holy observances with sacred time and purpose.
Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology/astronomy) is implied through the mention of the Sun and weekdays (vāras), pointing to calendrical and time-keeping knowledge used for planning rites, vratas, and auspicious observances.