Know about old Hindu scriptures regarded as 'Purana'

1. A Brief Introduction of
Puranas
By- Dr.Vedbrat Tiwari
Assistant Professor
Department of History
College of Vocational Studies, University of Delhi,
New Delhi, India, email-drvedbrat@gmail.com

2. Krishna Dwaipayan Maharshi VedVyas

3. ABOUT PURANAS
Puranas have five main characteristics-
SARGA-The creation of the world
UPSARGA-The recreation of the world
MANVANTARA-The period of various Manus
VANSHA-The genealogies of Gods and Rishis
VANSCHARITA-Accounts of Royal dynasties

4. CONCEPT OF ‘TIME’ IN PURANAS
Four Ages (Yugas)-Krita/Sat Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga, Kaliyug.
All consisting of thousands & thousands of year.
Four yugas make a Mahayuga & 1000 Mahayuga constitute a Kalp
Every Kalp divided into 14 Manvantaras.
Each Manvantara is presided by a Manu.
Periodic construction & deconstruction in cyclic decline and revival of dharma is a regular
process in Purana.

5. OTHER IMP POINTS DISCUSSED IN
PURANAS
Geography- which is useful to understand historical geography.
Varna Dharma-about social structure & class.
Ashram Dharma- important to understand the human conduct & behavior
Various form of knowledge
Different cults & Indian philosophy
Pilgrimage & vows (Vratas)

6. HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
Puranas especially Harivansha, Matsya, Brahma, Vayu, Brahmanda, Vishnu &
Brahmanda Puransa provide useful information on ancient political history.
They refer to historical dynasties such as Haryankas, Shishunagas, Nandas,
Mauryas, Shungas, Kanvas & Saatvahanas.
The dynastic lists end with Guptas whose time period considered 400 CE to
600 CE.

9. MATSYA PURAN
It contains 15,000 verses distributed in 291 chapters.
It describes the first avatar of Lord Vishnu as a fish.
Matsya Purana discuses Manvantar and early royal
dynasties.
Combat between demon Tripurasur & Lord Shiva is
also given in detail.
Another important feature is Indexing of All
significant Puranas in it.
Raj Dharma, Rishi vanshavali (Pedigree of sages) is
properly mentioned in it.
Pratima Vigyan Art & Sculpture is the major topic
of discussion in it.

10. KURMA PURAN
It contains 17,000 verses and has information on the
avatar of Lord Vishnu as a tortoise that came to be
known as the Kurma avatar.
In his tortoise incarnation Lord Vishnu gave his
discourse to king Indradyumna a devotee of Vishnu.
So this Purana came to known as Kurma Purana.
Lord Shiva is defined as a supreme god & there is no
differences among Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesha.
It also emphasizes on the worship of smarta cult
(Shakti Upasana).
Kashi and Prayag are defined as peculiar piligrimage
centre.
This Purana concludes with Iswar Geeta & Vyas
Geeta.

11. VARAH PURAN
The Varaha Purana includes mythology, particularly
of the Varah incarnation Avtar of Vishnu rescuing
the earth at the time of a great flood.
It contains 218 chapters & 24000 verses.
This was published by Asiatic Society of Calcutta
which had only 10700 vesres.
 The text also includes mythology of goddesses and
Shiva, and a discussion of Karma and Dharma called
Dharmasamhita.
Gaud king Ballalsen recited several verses from this
Purana in his creation ‘Dansagar’.
Mathura mahtmya (significance) & Nachiketopakhayn
is the most popular legends of this Purana.

12. BRAHMA PURAN
This Purana is also known as ‘Aadi Brahma’.
245 chapters & 14000 vereses.
Having all features of Purna
Lord Krishna is described in 22 chapters.
Konaditya (Konark) of Odisha is mentioned as
significant as pilgrimage.
Sankhya; an important school of Indian
philosophy is described briefly.
Some chapters of this Purana have great
resemblance with Shanti Parv of Mahabharata.

13. VISHNU PURAN
Vishnu Purana is the main book of Vashnavites. It
contains 126 chapters which is divided into 6 sections
which is called ‘Ansh.’
First Ansh describes creation of universe, Second
dicusses elaborate geography of continent. Third
Ansh deals with different Ashram system and Vedic
cults.
It’s fourth ansh has historic value which mentions five
Kshtriya dynasties- Yadu, Turvasu, Drahyu, Anu,
Puru.
In fifth Ansha of Vishnu Puran there is detail
description of divine character of Lord Shri Krishna.
This Puran is unique combination of Gyan
(knowledge) and Bhakti (devotion).

14. BHAGAVAT PURAN
 It is said that after Vyasadeva finished writing Puranas, he still felt
like something was missing. At this moment, Narada Muni
suggested Vedvyas, to start writing Srimad BhagvataPuran.
 This was Vyasadevas most important work as it contains the in-
depth description of Lord Vishnus various incarnations and also
entails a description of Lord Krishnas life.
 . It has 12 chapters in it with about 18,000 verses. After the
completion of this purana, Vyasa taught this knowledge to his
son Sukadev.
 After learning about Bhagvata purana, Sukadev imparted his
freshly achieved knowledge to Maharaja Parikshit.
 The story goes like this Maharaja Parikshit was the king of the
world and had a pious nature. He was suffering from a curse and
was supposed to die within a weeks’ time. This inspired him to
renounce everything and meditate at the banks of Ganges. While
he was doing so, he met Sukadev and requested him to impart his
knowledge of Bhagavatam purana.

15. PADMA PURAN
It contains 50,000 verses and has information on the essence of
religion and cosmos. Padma Purana is exclusively devoted to the
Bhakti of Lord Vishnu.
This Purana is divided into five Khandas (segments)-Shristi, Bhumi,
Brahma, Paatal, Shristi & Uttar khand.
In Shristi Khand geography, kings and their contribution,
Vamanavtaar and some other popular incarnation of Lord Vishnu,
origin of Markandey is discussed.
In Bhumi Khand story of king of Prithu and his character, story of
Maharshi Chyavan and a very importat verse which unify Lord Shiva
& Vishnu is explained.
Swarg Khand describes the story of Abhigyansakuntalam.
Paatal Khand discusses Naag (Snakes) Loka. Almost Ramayana is
described in this segment of Padma Purana.
In Uttar khand, bhakti (devotion) of Lord Vishnu is admired.

16. GARUNA PURAN
It contains 18,000 verses and divided into 264 chapters.
Ratna vigyan (examination of gems) is described in it.
Polity & Ayurveda including the treatment of animals is
described in different chapters.
Sankhya school of Indian Philosophy is explained in
brief.
 The later part of the Purana is known as ‘Pret Khand’
has detail information about what happens after a
person dies and kind of treatment he gets for his deeds
on earth. It is similar to the concept of Judgment Day in
Christianity.
Garuna Purana is recited during ‘Shradha.’
Uttar khanda (fore part) is translated into German
language.

17. NARADA PURAN
It contains 25,000 verses which is divided into
two parts. and contains the description of major
pilgrim places.
In Different chapters there is a details
description of Mnatras of Lord Vishnu, Ram,
Hanuman, Kali, Mahesh .
It advocates the only way of liberation is Vishnu
Bhakti.
This Purana is historically important. A details
Index of 18 Mahapuranas is given.
 A complete study of Vedamga like etymology
etc. is given in it.

18. VAMANA PURAN
This Purana is related with the incarnation of
Lord Vishnu as Vamana.
It contains 95 chapters & 10000 verses.
Apart from Vamanavatar this Purana also
describe the other incarnation of lord Vishnu.
This Purana also contains the stories of Lord
Shiva, Shiva Mahatmya, Shaiv piligrimage,
marriage of Uma & Shiva, birth of Lord
Ganesha, this reflects the religious tolerance of
the author.

19. LINGA PURAN
It contains 11,000 verses & 133 chapters.
 it has information on the importance of the
holy Linga and the origin of the Universe.
It describes 28 incarnations of lord Shiva.
This Purana is very useful to understand
mimansa of shivatattva.
It contains detail description of Shaiv tirthas &
Vratas.

20. SKAND PURAN
Skand Purana deals with Swami Kartikeya & Shivtattava.
Largest Purana having 81000 verses. Which is distributed
in samhitas, Khandas & mahatmyas.
Suta Samhita is unique in shaivopasana. Acharya
Madhav of Vijaynagar empire wrote commentary on it.
Shankar khand discusses Shiv Rahsya (mystery).
Vaishnav khand deals worship of Lord Jagannatha.
 Brahma khand, Kashi Khand, Reva Khand (about river
Narmada) & most popular story of SHRI
SATYANARAYAN VRAT KATHA is taken from this
segment.
Its other segments are Avanti, Taapi & Prabhas khanda.

21. AGNI PURAN
Agni Purana could be regarded as encyclopedia of all
Indian knowledge.
Divided into 383 chapters & discussing variety of literature
and sciences.
Story of incarnation is described briefly including
Ramayana & Mahabharata.
Temple building art including the process of worship and is
explained categorically.
Astrology, Dharma Shastra, vows, polity and Ayurveda is
delineated in detail.
It also contains Sanskrit grammar, and many chapters
related to Sanskrit dictionary.
This Purana conclude the non dualism philosophy
(Advaitvaad) ended with summarizing Bhagvad Geeta. So
this Purana is considered as source of all knowledge &
sciences.

22. MARKANDEY PURAN
It contains 9000 verses and it contains the dialogue
between two ancient sages, Jamini and Markandya.
One of the smallest Purana which contains 137
chapters & 9000 verses.
An interesting story of Madalasha is elaborated in
it.
This Purana was translated in English by Pargiter
and few chapters were also translated in german.
According to western scholar this Purana is full of
knowledge and popular s well.
One of most popular scripture of shaivites ‘Durga
Shaptshati’ is taken from this Purana.

23. BRAHMAND PURAN
Due to discussing over the all universe this Purana is
came to known as Brahmand Purana.
It contains 12,000 verses and contains the Lalitha
Sahasranamam, a text recited as a prayer. It is
apparently available in separate parts as it is very vast
textually.
 It has four main parts: Prakriya, Anushanga,
Upotaghat and Upasamhar.
 The narrator of this purana was Sutaji, who narrated
it on the banks of the river Drishdvati in Yaksh
Kshetra. Sutaji had hearad this purana from Vedvyasa
himself.
Brahmanda consists of the story of the creation of
the universe, segregation of different yugas, narrative
of Kimpurush, etc

24. BRAHMA VAIVARTA PURAN
It contains 18,000 verses and describes the creation and
purpose of life and the deeds of different Gods like
Ganesha, Krishna, etc.
It has four parts-Brahma, Prakriti, Ganesh & Krishna
Kahnda having 133 chapters.
Depiction of Krisnacharita is the main motive of this
Purana. Interestingly this Purana also tell about Radha who
is the main power of Sri Krishna.
 Brahma khand explains origin of the universe by Krishna
Prakriti khand describes the nature & its different forms.
Ganesh khand is dedicated to Lord Ganesha & mentioned
as a incarnation of Lord Krishna.
This Purana is known as ‘Brahm Kaivart’ Purana in south
India.

25. BHAVISYA PURAN
It is the most confusing & troubleshooting Purana because
its content which is written in future form. This led to
misconception among scholars.
Pt. Jwala Prasad got four different manuscripts of this
puran having different content. Bhavisya Purana available
in modern days is the amalgam of all four versions.
It has five Parvas-Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Surya & Pratisarg
Parv having 14000 verses.
This Purana emphasise the worship of God Sun (Surya
Upasana).
The worship of god Sun is realted with Saamb (son of Lord
Krishna) who was suffering with leprosy & to get the
treatment Garuna brought Brahmanas from Shakdveep.
To know the mysteries of god Sun’s worship & historical
dynasties of Kaliyug, this Purana has significant importance.

26. CONCLUSION
The language of the Vedas is archaic, and the subtle philosophy of the Vedanta
and the Upanishads is difficult to grasp and assimilate. Hence, the Puranas are of
special value as they present philosophical truths and precious teachings in an
easier manner. They give ready access to the mysteries of life and the key to
bliss. Imbibe their teachings. Start a new life of Dharma-Nishtha and Adhyatmic
Sadhana from this very day. The purpose of the Puranas is to bring the human
being closer to God. Thus stories were created for the purpose of joy,
entertainment, knowledge and science. In Hindi the word ‘Purana’ means old
whereas in Sanskrit, it means completely new, modern.

27. THANKS