Puranas

 

Puranas are a large body of ancient Hindu and Jain literature containing myths, legends, and genealogy, written between the 4th century BCE and 1000 CE. They cover topics like the creation and destruction of the universe, the genealogies of gods and kings, and the history of dynasties, and are considered influential sacred texts. There are 18 main Puranas (Mahapuranas) and numerous secondary Puranas (Upapuranas).  

Key aspects of the Puranas

Title and meaning: The word "Purana" means "ancient" in Sanskrit. 

Content: The Puranas are encyclopedic and cover a wide range of themes, including: 

Cosmogony (creation of the universe) 

The destruction and recreation of the universe 

Genealogies of gods, heroes, and kings 

The reigns of the Manus 

History of various dynasties 

Mythological stories of gods and goddesses 

Information on pilgrimages, temples, and rituals 

Other topics such as medicine, astronomy, and philosophy 

Structure and types:

There are 18 major Puranas (Mahapuranas) and numerous lesser ones (Upapuranas). 

The Mahapuranas are categorized into three groups based on the primary deity they extol: Sattvic (Vishnu), Rajasic (Brahma), and Tamasic (Shiva). 

Authorship: While traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa, it is now believed that many authors contributed to their creation over many centuries. 

Significance:

They are considered to be a vital part of the sacred literature of Hinduism, making religious knowledge accessible to the masses through narratives and stories. 

They are revered for preserving and transmitting the knowledge, myths, and traditions of ancient India.