Changes

Puranas (पुराणानि) (view source)

Revision as of 22:51, 9 October 2019

83 bytes added , 22:51, 9 October 2019

adding content

Line 9: Line 9:

All the Puranas belong to the class of Suhrit-Samhitas, while Vedas are Prabhu-Samhitas. Vyasa is the compiler of the Puranas from age to age; and for this age, he is Krishnadvaipayana, the son of Parasara.<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 41-45</ref>

+

The Puranas were written to popularise the teachings of the Vedas. They contain the essence of the Vedas. The aim of the Puranas is to impress on the minds of the masses the teachings of the Vedas and to generate in them devotion to God, through concrete examples, stories, legends, lives of saints, kings and great men, allegories and chronicles of great historical events. The sages made use of these to illustrate the eternal principles of religion. The Puranas were meant, not for the scholars, but for the ordinary people who could not understand deep philosophy and who could not study the Vedas.<ref name=":0" />

+

The Darsanas are not easy to understand. They are meant only for the learned few. Through Puranas, essential teachings are taught in a very easy and interesting way. Even to this day, the Puranas are popular. The Puranas contain the history of remote times. They also give a description of the regions of the universe not visible to the ordinary physical eye. They are very interesting to read and are full of information of all kinds.

==Etymology==

According to Shabdakalpadruma, the word Purana is used in the sense of पुरा भवमिति । which means "that which existed in the past" and पुरा नीयते इति । which means "that which takes (you) back (in time)"

−

Vayu Purana says that it is called Purana because it talks about the past

+

Vayu Purana says that it is called Purana because it talks about the past <blockquote>यस्मात्पुरा ह्यनन्तीदं पुराणं तेन चोच्यते। (41.55)<ref>Vayu Purana (Uttaratha [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/वायुपुराणम्/उत्तरार्धम्/अध्यायः_४१ Adhyaya 41])</ref></blockquote>

−

यस्मात्पुरा ह्यनन्तीदं पुराणं तेन चोच्यते। (41.55)<ref>Vayu Purana (Uttaratha [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/वायुपुराणम्/उत्तरार्धम्/अध्यायः_४१ Adhyaya 41])</ref>

== Purana Lakshana ==

Amarakosha summarizes the characteristics of Puranas as follows

: व्यासादिमुनिप्रणीत-वेदार्थवर्णित-पञ्चलक्षणान्वित-शास्त्रम् । तत्पर्य्यायः । पञ्चलक्षणम् २ । इत्यमरः । १ । ६ । ५ ॥

−

Purana is that shastra, which is written by Vyasa, describes the meanings of Vedas and comprised of the panchalakshanas.

+

Purana is that shastra, which is written by Vyasa, describes the meanings of Vedas and is comprised of the panchalakshanas.

=== पञ्चलक्षणम् ॥ Five Lakshanas ===

−

Several puranas have mentioned पञ्चलक्षणम् ॥ five characteristics of puranas - 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 <ref>Garuda Purana (Achara Kanda Adhyaya 2, Slokas 28 - 29 in sa.wikisource.org)</ref>, Vishnu Purana(3.6.25)<ref>Vishnu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Amsha 3 Adhyaya 6])</ref>, Kurma Purana (1.12)<ref>Kurma Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%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%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4 Purvabhaga Adhyaya 1])</ref> Skanda Purana (5.1.31)<ref>Skanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB_(%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0% Reva Khanda Adhyaya 1])</ref> Vayu Purana (1.4.10)<ref>Vayu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%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%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Purvardha Adhyaya 4])</ref>, Brahmanda Purana (1.1.37-38)<ref>Brahmanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%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%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4% Purvabhaga Adhyaya 1])</ref> <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>

+

Several puranas have mentioned पञ्चलक्षणम् ॥ five characteristics of puranas - 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 <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 Adhyaya 1)</ref> Vayu Purana (1.4.10)<ref>Vayu Purana (Purvardha Adhyaya 4)</ref>, Brahmanda Purana (1.1.37-38)<ref>Brahmanda Purana (Purvabhaga Adhyaya 1)</ref> <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>

−

*''Sarga'' : theories of creation from Brahma

+

*सर्गः ॥ Sarga : srsti siddhantas (theories of creation) starting from Brahma (primary creation)

−

*''Pratisarga'': srsti siddhantas from the first beings created by Brahma

+

*प्रतिसर्गः ॥ Pratisarga: srsti siddhantas starting from the first beings created by Brahma (secondary creation)

−

*~~''Vamśa''~~: ~~[[genealogy]]~~ of ~~the gods~~, ~~sages~~ and ~~kings~~

+

*वंशः॥ Vamsa: Genealogy of devatas, rshis, rajas and maharajas

−

*~~''Manvañtara''~~: ~~cosmic~~ cycles, ~~history~~ of the world during the time of one ~~patriarch~~

+

*मन्वन्तराणि ॥ Manvantaras: Cosmic cycles of time, origin and lineages of people, creatures in the world during the time of one Manu

−

*~~''Vamśānucaritam''~~: ~~legends during the times~~ of various ~~kings~~.

+

*वंशानुचरितम् ॥ Vamsanucharitam: Legends and anecdotes of various rajas, maharajas and chakravartis.

−

=== Ten Lakshanas of Mahapuranas ===

+

=== दश लक्षणानि ॥ Ten Lakshanas of Mahapuranas ===

−

Shabdakalpadruma further describes the 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>Bhagavata Purana, ~~lists ten lakshanas of a purana thus~~ </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

+

Shabdakalpadruma further describes the 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 creation (subtle)

+

# सर्गः ॥ Sarga - the elemental primary creation (subtle)

# विसर्गः ॥ Visarga - the secondary creation (gross)

# वृत्तिः ॥ Vrtti - Sustenance

Line 37: Line 39:

# अन्तराणि ॥ Antaras - Time periods of Manus (Manvantaras)

# वंशः ॥ Vamshas - Dynasties and lineages of Rajas and Maharajas

−

# वंशानुचरितम् ॥ Vamshanucharita - Deeds of the Rajas of different dynasties including Avatara purushas

+

# वंशानुचरितम् ॥ Vamshanucharita - Deeds and legends of the Rajas of different dynasties including Avatara purushas

# संस्था ॥ Samstha - destruction of the world

# हेतुः ॥ Hetu - Cause of Creation (Karma)

Line 58: Line 60:

10) Ashraya - the supreme shelter

−

The Puranas ~~link gods to~~ men, ~~both generally and in religious [[bhakti]] context.<ref name="gregbailey440">Greg Bailey (2001)~~, ~~Encyclopedia~~ of ~~Asian Philosophy (Editor: Oliver Leaman), Routledge, ISBN 978-0415172813, pages 440-443</ref> Here the Puranic literature follows a general pattern. It starts with introduction~~, ~~a future devotee is described as ignorant about the god yet curious, the devotee learns about the god and this begins the spiritual realization, the text then describes instances~~ of ~~god's grace~~ which ~~begins~~ to ~~persuade and convert the devotee~~, the ~~devotee then shows devotion which is rewarded by the god, the reward is appreciated by the devotee and~~ in ~~return performs actions to express further devotion~~.~~<ref name="gregbailey440" />~~

+

The Puranas are common lore mostly anecdotes of devatas, men, various creatures, avataras of deities, all of which mostly describe the dharmas to be followed, explaining the context in simpler terms.

== Origin of the Puranas ==

−

Matsya and Padma Puranas mention that the Puranas have been given to the world, after Brahma deliberated on them.

+

Matsya and Padma Puranas mention that the Puranas have been given to the world, after Brahma deliberated on them. <blockquote>पुराणं सर्वशास्त्राणां प्रथमं ब्रह्मणा स्मृतम् अनन्तरं च वक्त्रेभ्यो वेदास्तस्य विनिर्गताः ३</blockquote><blockquote>पुराणमेकमेवासीत्तदा कल्पान्तरेऽनघ त्रिवर्गसाधनं पुण्यं शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम् ४ (Mats. Pura. 53.3 and 4)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>पुराणं सर्वशास्त्राणां प्रथमं ब्रह्मणा स्मृतम् ४५ (Padm. Pura. 1.1.45)<ref>Padma Puranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7_(%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%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%A6%E0%A5%A7 Khanda 1] Srustikhandam)</ref></blockquote>Skanda Purana mention that Puranas were given by Brahma (Pitamaha) who performed a severe tapas and from whom the Vedas along with the Vedangas manifested. After the Vedas all the Puranas consisting of the eternal sounds (of Vedas) extending to a hundred crore slokas manifested from the mouth of Brahma.

−

पुराणं सर्वशास्त्राणां प्रथमं ब्रह्मणा स्मृतम् अनन्तरं च वक्त्रेभ्यो वेदास्तस्य विनिर्गताः ३

−

पुराणमेकमेवासीत्तदा कल्पान्तरेऽनघ त्रिवर्गसाधनं पुण्यं शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम् ४ (Mats. Pura. 53.3 and 4)<ref name=":1" />

−

पुराणं सर्वशास्त्राणां प्रथमं ब्रह्मणा स्मृतम् ४५ (Padm. Pura. 1.1.45)<ref>Padma Puranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7_(%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%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%A6%E0%A5%A7 Khanda 1] Srustikhandam)</ref>

== Classification of Puranas ==

−

सात्त्विकेषु पुराणेषु माहात्म्यमधिकं हरेः

+

<blockquote>सात्त्विकेषु पुराणेषु माहात्म्यमधिकं हरेः राजसेषु च माहात्म्यमधिकं ब्रह्मणो विदुः ६८</blockquote><blockquote>तद्वदग्नेश्च माहात्म्यं तामसेषु शिवस्य च संकीर्णेषु सरस्वत्याः पितॄणां च निगद्यते ६९ (Mats. Pura. 53.68-69)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>He also revealed to them that they could be categorized into three main types- Satvik, Rajas and Tamas. Satvik Puranas contain the tales of Lord Vishnu while Rajas Puranas contain the tales of Brahma and Tamasa Puranas contain the tales of Agni and Rudra. Skanda purana (7.1.2)<ref name=":2">Skanda Purana (Prabhasa Khanda, Prabhasa Kshetra Mahatmya, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD_(%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%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%A6%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 2])</ref>

−

राजसेषु च माहात्म्यमधिकं ब्रह्मणो विदुः ६८

−

तद्वदग्नेश्च माहात्म्यं तामसेषु शिवस्य च

−

संकीर्णेषु सरस्वत्याः पितॄणां च निगद्यते ६९ (Mats. Pura. 53.68-69)

−

He also revealed to them that they could be categorized into three main types- Satvik, Rajas

−

and Tamas. Satvik Puranas contain the tales of Lord Vishnu while Rajas Puranas contain the tales of

−

Brahma and ~~Tamas Purans~~ contain the tales of Agni and Rudra. Skanda purana (4.7.1)

== Purana List ==

−

The list of Puranas is given in Padmapurana (2.3.5), Vishnupurana (3.6), Skanda purana (4.7.1), Agni Purana (10.8.3)

+

The list of Puranas is given in Padmapurana (2.3.5), Vishnupurana (3.6), Skanda purana (4.7.1), Agni Purana (10.8.3), however, they differ widely in names of the puranas included and the number of slokas mentioned.

−

The Brahma Purana - twenty-five thousand

+

{| class="wikitable"

−

The Padma Purana - twelve thousand

+

|+

−

The Vishnu Purana - thirteen thousand

+

!Purana Name

−

The Vayu Purana - fourteen thousand

+

!Puranas

+

|-

+

|Skanda Purana (Khanda-7 Prabhasa, Prabhasa Kshetra Mahatmya, Adhyaya 2, Shlokas 5-8)<ref name=":2" />

+

|Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Bhagavata, Bhavishya, Naradiya, Markandeya, Agneya, Brahmavaivarta, Linga, Varaha, Skanda, Vamana, Kurma, Matsya, Garuda, Vayu

+

|-

+

|

+

|

+

|-

+

|

+

|

+

|}

+

The Brahma Purana - twenty-five thousand The Padma Purana - twelve thousand

+

The Vishnu Purana - thirteen thousand The Vayu Purana - fourteen thousand

The Bhagavata Purana - eighteen thousand

The Narada Purana - twenty-five thousand

Line 103: Line 101:

The Brahmanda Purana - twelve thousand

The only mahapurana which is missing from the above list is the Bhavishya Purana.Agni purana 10.8.3

−

The Puranas were written to popularise the teachings of the Vedas. They contain the essence of the Vedas. The aim of the Puranas is to impress on the minds of the masses the teachings of the Vedas and to generate in them devotion to God, through concrete examples, stories, legends, lives of saints, kings and great men, allegories and chronicles of great historical events. The sages made use of these to illustrate the eternal principles of religion. The Puranas were meant, not for the scholars, but for the ordinary people who could not understand deep philosophy and who could not study the Vedas.<ref name=":0" />

−

The Darsanas are not easy to understand. They are meant only for the learned few. Through Puranas, essential teachings are taught in a very easy and interesting way. Even to this day, the Puranas are popular. The Puranas contain the history of remote times. They also give a description of the regions of the universe not visible to the ordinary physical eye. They are very interesting to read and are full of information of all kinds.

=== The Eighteen Puranas<ref name=":0" /> ===

Ved Vyas created numerous puranas like - Brahma Purana, Padma-Purana, Vishnu

Fordharma

Bureaucrats, Administrators

8,246

edits

Changes

Puranas (पुराणानि) (view source)

Revision as of 22:51, 9 October 2019

Navigation menu

Search