What is Puranas?
- The Puranas are a genre of Hindu religious texts consisting of stories, myths, legends, and genealogies of gods, goddesses, saints, and various heroes. They are considered to be one of the most important sources of Hinduism, along with the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- The word “Purana” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Purana”, which means “ancient” or “old”. The Puranas are believed to have been compiled between the 3rd and 16th centuries CE, and there are 18 major Puranas, divided into three categories:
- Brahma Puranas – These Puranas are dedicated to the god Brahma, and include the Brahma Purana, the Padma Purana, the Vishnu Purana, the Shiva Purana, the Bhagavata Purana, and the Narada Purana.
- Vaishnava Puranas – These Puranas are dedicated to the god Vishnu, and include the Vishnu Purana, the Bhagavata Purana, the Garuda Purana, the Narada Purana, and the Padma Purana.
- Shaiva Puranas – These Puranas are dedicated to the god Shiva, and include the Shiva Purana, the Linga Purana, and the Skanda Purana.
- The Puranas serve as a source of knowledge on various topics, such as philosophy, theology, ethics, history, geography, and culture. They also serve as a guide for Hindu rituals and ceremonies, and provide insight into the lives of various gods, goddesses, and saints. The Puranas have played a significant role in the development of Hinduism, and continue to be an important part of Hindu literature and tradition.