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Purana Lakshana (पुराणलक्षणम्) (view source)
Revision as of 23:13, 16 October 2019
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Purana lakshana (Samskrit : पुराणलक्षणम्) chiefly deals with the compilation of characteristic subject matter of a class of texts namely Puranas. Many Puranas themselves acknowledge that at least five topics (पञ्चलक्षणम्) form their essential characteristics. Amarakosha summarizes the characteristics of Puranas as follows
:व्यासादिमुनिप्रणीत-वेदार्थवर्णित-पञ्चलक्षणान्वित-शास्त्रम् । तत्पर्य्यायः । पञ्चलक्षणम् २ । इत्यमरः । १ । ६ । ५ ॥
Purana is that shastra, which written by Vyasa, describes the meanings of Vedas and is comprised of the panchalakshanas.
While
==पञ्चलक्षणम् ॥ Five Lakshanas==
Several puranas have mentioned पञ्चलक्षणम् ॥ five characteristics of puranas -
#Agni Purana (1.14)
#Bhavishya Purana (1.2.4 and 5<ref>Bhavishya Purana (Parva 1 (Brahma Parva) [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5_%E0%A5%A7_(%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0 Adhyaya 2])</ref>)
#Garuda Purana (1.2.28-29)<ref>Garuda Purana (Achara Kanda Adhyaya 2, Slokas 28 - 29 in sa.wikisource.org)</ref>
#Vishnu Purana(3.6.25)<ref>Vishnu Purana (Amsha 3 Adhyaya 6)</ref>
#Kurma Purana (1.12)<ref>Kurma Purana (Purvabhaga Adhyaya 1)</ref>
#Skanda Purana (5.1.31)<ref>Skanda Purana (Reva Khanda-5, Adhyaya 1)</ref>
#Vayu Purana (Prakriya Pada 1.4.10)<ref>Vayu Purana (Purvardha Adhyaya 4)</ref>
#Shiva Purana (Vayuviya samhita 1.41)
#Brahmanda Purana (1.1.37-38)<ref>Brahmanda Purana (Purvabhaga Adhyaya 1)</ref>
Vishnu Purana largely conforms to having all the five lakshanas whereas few other Puranas barely touch upon them. Apart from these topics Puranas predominantly describe about Danas (gifts), Vratas (religious observances), Tirtha (sacred places), and Shraddha (observances for forefathers). The slokas pertaining to the Panchalakshanas are very similar across the puranas with minor variations. Given below is the sloka and explanation for the Panchalakshanas from Matsya Purana.<blockquote>सर्गश्च प्रतिसर्गश्च वंशो मन्वन्तराणि च । वंश्यानुचरितं चैव पुराणं पञ्चलक्षणम् ६५ (Mats. Pura. 53.65)<ref name=":1">Matsya Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 53])</ref></blockquote>
*सर्गः ॥ Sarga : srsti siddhantas (theories of creation) starting from Brahma (primary creation)
*प्रतिसर्गः ॥ Pratisarga: srsti siddhantas starting from the first beings created by Brahma (secondary creation)
*वंशः॥ Vamsa: Genealogy of devatas, rshis, rajas and maharajas
*मन्वन्तराणि ॥ Manvantaras: Cosmic cycles of time, origin and lineages of people, creatures in the world during the time of one Manu
*वंशानुचरितम् ॥ Vamsanucharitam: Legends and anecdotes of various rajas, maharajas and chakravartis.
==दशलक्षणानि ॥ Ten Lakshanas of Mahapuranas==
Shabdakalpadruma further describes Dashalakshana or ten characteristics of a Mahapurana as follows<blockquote>महापुराणस्य दश लक्षणानि । यथा, सर्गः १ विसर्गः २ वृत्तिः ३ रक्षा ४ अन्तरम् ५ वंशः ६ वंश्यानुचरितम् ७ संस्था ८ हेतुः ९ अपाश्रयः १० ॥</blockquote><p>The same list as evidenced in Bhagavata Purana, is translated below</p><blockquote>पुराणलक्षणं ब्रह्मन् ब्रह्मर्षिभिः निरूपितम् । श्रृणुष्व बुद्धिमाश्रित्य वेदशास्त्रानुसारतः ॥ ८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>सर्गोऽस्याथ विसर्गश्च वृत्तिरक्षान्तराणि च । वंशो वंशानुचरितं संस्था हेतुरपाश्रयः ॥ ९ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>दशभिः लक्षणैर्युक्तं पुराणं तद्विदो विदुः । (Bhag. Pura. 12.7.8-9)<ref>Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Skanda 12 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote>Summary : Listen (O Saunaka!) with complete attention the characteristics of Puranas as described by the Brahmarshis in conformity to Vedas and Shastras. Those who are experts in puranic lore declare that Purana has the following ten lakshanas
#सर्गः ॥ Sarga - the elemental primary creation (subtle)
#विसर्गः ॥ Visarga - the secondary creation (gross)
#वृत्तिः ॥ Vrtti - Sustenance, means of livelihood
#रक्षा ॥ Raksha - Protection (of the devotees)
#अन्तराणि ॥ Antaras - Time periods of Manus (Manvantaras)
#वंशः ॥ Vamshas - Dynasties and lineages of Rajas and Maharajas
#वंशानुचरितम् ॥ Vamshanucharita - Deeds and legends of the Rajas of different dynasties including Avatara purushas
#संस्था ॥ Samstha - destruction of the world (4 kinds of Laya)
#हेतुः ॥ Hetu - Cause of Creation (Karma)
#अपाश्रयः ॥ Apashraya - ultimate recourse of individual
==Ten Characteristics of Bhagavata Purana==
In Bhagavata Purana ten characteristics are specifically mentioned about the type of its contents. It may be noted that a few of the topics namely Sarga, Visarga (same as Pratisarga), and Manvantaras are identical to those given in the ten purana lakshanas. In the subsequent explanation we find the definition of these characteristics.<blockquote>अत्र सर्गो विसर्गश्च स्थानं पोषणमूतयः । मन्वन्तरेशानुकथा निरोधो मुक्तिराश्रयः ॥ १ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>दशमस्य विशुद्ध्यर्थं नवानामिह लक्षणम् । वर्णयन्ति महात्मानः श्रुतेनार्थेन चाञ्जसा ॥ २ ॥</blockquote>Summary : Here (in the purana) the topics are
*सर्गः ॥ Sarga - the elemental primary creation (subtle)
*विसर्गः ॥ Visarga - the secondary creation (gross)
*स्थानम् ॥ Sthana - the planetary situations
*पोषणम् ॥ Poshanam - Protection (of the devotees), material maintenance
*ऊतयः ॥ Utaya - the impetus for activity
*मन्वन्तरम् ॥ Time periods of Manus (Manvantaras) and history thereof
*ईशानुकथा ॥ Ishanukatha - accounts of divine avataras and supreme beings, activities of incarnations
*निरोधः ॥ Nirodha - dissolution of the worlds and beings
*मुक्तिः ॥ Mukti - the real and eternal state/situation
*आश्रयः ॥ Aashraya - ultimate recourse or shelter of all existence<blockquote>भूतमात्रेन्द्रियधियां जन्म सर्ग उदाहृतः । ब्रह्मणो गुणवैषम्यात् विसर्गः पौरुषः स्मृतः ॥ ३ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>स्थितिर्वैकुण्ठविजयः पोषणं तदनुग्रहः । मन्वन्तराणि सद्धर्म ऊतयः कर्मवासनाः ॥ ४ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>अवतारानुचरितं हरेश्चास्यानुवर्तिनाम् । पुंसां ईशकथाः प्रोक्ता नानाख्यान उपबृंहिताः ॥ ५ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>निरोधोऽस्यानुशयनं आत्मनः सह शक्तिभिः । मुक्तिः हित्वान्यथा रूपं स्वरूपेण व्यवस्थितिः ॥ ॥ ६ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>आभासश्च निरोधश्च यतश्चाध्यवसीयते । स आश्रयः परं ब्रह्म परमात्मेति शब्द्यते ॥ ७ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>योऽध्यात्मिकोऽयं पुरुषः सोऽसौ एवाधिदैविकः । यः तत्र उभय विच्छेदः स स्मृतोह्याधिभौतिकः ॥ ८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>एकं एकतराभावे यदा न उपलभामहे । त्रितयं तत्र यो वेद स आत्मा स्वाश्रयाश्रयः ॥ ९ ॥</blockquote>
== References ==
:व्यासादिमुनिप्रणीत-वेदार्थवर्णित-पञ्चलक्षणान्वित-शास्त्रम् । तत्पर्य्यायः । पञ्चलक्षणम् २ । इत्यमरः । १ । ६ । ५ ॥
Purana is that shastra, which written by Vyasa, describes the meanings of Vedas and is comprised of the panchalakshanas.
While
==पञ्चलक्षणम् ॥ Five Lakshanas==
Several puranas have mentioned पञ्चलक्षणम् ॥ five characteristics of puranas -
#Agni Purana (1.14)
#Bhavishya Purana (1.2.4 and 5<ref>Bhavishya Purana (Parva 1 (Brahma Parva) [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5_%E0%A5%A7_(%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0 Adhyaya 2])</ref>)
#Garuda Purana (1.2.28-29)<ref>Garuda Purana (Achara Kanda Adhyaya 2, Slokas 28 - 29 in sa.wikisource.org)</ref>
#Vishnu Purana(3.6.25)<ref>Vishnu Purana (Amsha 3 Adhyaya 6)</ref>
#Kurma Purana (1.12)<ref>Kurma Purana (Purvabhaga Adhyaya 1)</ref>
#Skanda Purana (5.1.31)<ref>Skanda Purana (Reva Khanda-5, Adhyaya 1)</ref>
#Vayu Purana (Prakriya Pada 1.4.10)<ref>Vayu Purana (Purvardha Adhyaya 4)</ref>
#Shiva Purana (Vayuviya samhita 1.41)
#Brahmanda Purana (1.1.37-38)<ref>Brahmanda Purana (Purvabhaga Adhyaya 1)</ref>
Vishnu Purana largely conforms to having all the five lakshanas whereas few other Puranas barely touch upon them. Apart from these topics Puranas predominantly describe about Danas (gifts), Vratas (religious observances), Tirtha (sacred places), and Shraddha (observances for forefathers). The slokas pertaining to the Panchalakshanas are very similar across the puranas with minor variations. Given below is the sloka and explanation for the Panchalakshanas from Matsya Purana.<blockquote>सर्गश्च प्रतिसर्गश्च वंशो मन्वन्तराणि च । वंश्यानुचरितं चैव पुराणं पञ्चलक्षणम् ६५ (Mats. Pura. 53.65)<ref name=":1">Matsya Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 53])</ref></blockquote>
*सर्गः ॥ Sarga : srsti siddhantas (theories of creation) starting from Brahma (primary creation)
*प्रतिसर्गः ॥ Pratisarga: srsti siddhantas starting from the first beings created by Brahma (secondary creation)
*वंशः॥ Vamsa: Genealogy of devatas, rshis, rajas and maharajas
*मन्वन्तराणि ॥ Manvantaras: Cosmic cycles of time, origin and lineages of people, creatures in the world during the time of one Manu
*वंशानुचरितम् ॥ Vamsanucharitam: Legends and anecdotes of various rajas, maharajas and chakravartis.
==दशलक्षणानि ॥ Ten Lakshanas of Mahapuranas==
Shabdakalpadruma further describes Dashalakshana or ten characteristics of a Mahapurana as follows<blockquote>महापुराणस्य दश लक्षणानि । यथा, सर्गः १ विसर्गः २ वृत्तिः ३ रक्षा ४ अन्तरम् ५ वंशः ६ वंश्यानुचरितम् ७ संस्था ८ हेतुः ९ अपाश्रयः १० ॥</blockquote><p>The same list as evidenced in Bhagavata Purana, is translated below</p><blockquote>पुराणलक्षणं ब्रह्मन् ब्रह्मर्षिभिः निरूपितम् । श्रृणुष्व बुद्धिमाश्रित्य वेदशास्त्रानुसारतः ॥ ८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>सर्गोऽस्याथ विसर्गश्च वृत्तिरक्षान्तराणि च । वंशो वंशानुचरितं संस्था हेतुरपाश्रयः ॥ ९ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>दशभिः लक्षणैर्युक्तं पुराणं तद्विदो विदुः । (Bhag. Pura. 12.7.8-9)<ref>Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Skanda 12 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote>Summary : Listen (O Saunaka!) with complete attention the characteristics of Puranas as described by the Brahmarshis in conformity to Vedas and Shastras. Those who are experts in puranic lore declare that Purana has the following ten lakshanas
#सर्गः ॥ Sarga - the elemental primary creation (subtle)
#विसर्गः ॥ Visarga - the secondary creation (gross)
#वृत्तिः ॥ Vrtti - Sustenance, means of livelihood
#रक्षा ॥ Raksha - Protection (of the devotees)
#अन्तराणि ॥ Antaras - Time periods of Manus (Manvantaras)
#वंशः ॥ Vamshas - Dynasties and lineages of Rajas and Maharajas
#वंशानुचरितम् ॥ Vamshanucharita - Deeds and legends of the Rajas of different dynasties including Avatara purushas
#संस्था ॥ Samstha - destruction of the world (4 kinds of Laya)
#हेतुः ॥ Hetu - Cause of Creation (Karma)
#अपाश्रयः ॥ Apashraya - ultimate recourse of individual
==Ten Characteristics of Bhagavata Purana==
In Bhagavata Purana ten characteristics are specifically mentioned about the type of its contents. It may be noted that a few of the topics namely Sarga, Visarga (same as Pratisarga), and Manvantaras are identical to those given in the ten purana lakshanas. In the subsequent explanation we find the definition of these characteristics.<blockquote>अत्र सर्गो विसर्गश्च स्थानं पोषणमूतयः । मन्वन्तरेशानुकथा निरोधो मुक्तिराश्रयः ॥ १ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>दशमस्य विशुद्ध्यर्थं नवानामिह लक्षणम् । वर्णयन्ति महात्मानः श्रुतेनार्थेन चाञ्जसा ॥ २ ॥</blockquote>Summary : Here (in the purana) the topics are
*सर्गः ॥ Sarga - the elemental primary creation (subtle)
*विसर्गः ॥ Visarga - the secondary creation (gross)
*स्थानम् ॥ Sthana - the planetary situations
*पोषणम् ॥ Poshanam - Protection (of the devotees), material maintenance
*ऊतयः ॥ Utaya - the impetus for activity
*मन्वन्तरम् ॥ Time periods of Manus (Manvantaras) and history thereof
*ईशानुकथा ॥ Ishanukatha - accounts of divine avataras and supreme beings, activities of incarnations
*निरोधः ॥ Nirodha - dissolution of the worlds and beings
*मुक्तिः ॥ Mukti - the real and eternal state/situation
*आश्रयः ॥ Aashraya - ultimate recourse or shelter of all existence<blockquote>भूतमात्रेन्द्रियधियां जन्म सर्ग उदाहृतः । ब्रह्मणो गुणवैषम्यात् विसर्गः पौरुषः स्मृतः ॥ ३ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>स्थितिर्वैकुण्ठविजयः पोषणं तदनुग्रहः । मन्वन्तराणि सद्धर्म ऊतयः कर्मवासनाः ॥ ४ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>अवतारानुचरितं हरेश्चास्यानुवर्तिनाम् । पुंसां ईशकथाः प्रोक्ता नानाख्यान उपबृंहिताः ॥ ५ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>निरोधोऽस्यानुशयनं आत्मनः सह शक्तिभिः । मुक्तिः हित्वान्यथा रूपं स्वरूपेण व्यवस्थितिः ॥ ॥ ६ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>आभासश्च निरोधश्च यतश्चाध्यवसीयते । स आश्रयः परं ब्रह्म परमात्मेति शब्द्यते ॥ ७ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>योऽध्यात्मिकोऽयं पुरुषः सोऽसौ एवाधिदैविकः । यः तत्र उभय विच्छेदः स स्मृतोह्याधिभौतिकः ॥ ८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>एकं एकतराभावे यदा न उपलभामहे । त्रितयं तत्र यो वेद स आत्मा स्वाश्रयाश्रयः ॥ ९ ॥</blockquote>
== References ==