The "Vayu Purana" is mentioned in chapter 3.191 of the Mahabharata, and section 1.7 of the Harivamsa, suggesting that the text existed in the first half of the 1st-millennium CE. The 7th-century Sanskrit prose writer Banabhatta refers to this work in his "Kadambari" and "Harshacharita". In chapter 3 of the "Harshacharita" Banabhatta remarks that the "Vayu Purana" was read out to him in his native village. Alberuni (973 -1048), the Persian scholar who visited and lived in northwest Indian subcontinent for many years in early 11th century, quoted from the version of "Vayu Purana" that existed during his visit.