The Brief Story & Introduction of The Holy Puranas

Vishnu Purana The Vishnu Purana is considered the most important of all the Puranas. It contains the five technical divisions of the Puranas and is divided into six adisas. It deals with the events of Varahakalpa and contains twenty-three thousand shlokas. The theme revolves around the ten incarnations of MahaVishnu, making it one of the most ancient Puranas and earning it the name Puranaratna (gem of Puranas). The method of narration is in the form of Sage Parasara teaching his disciple Maitreya. Since there is a reference in it to the Maurya dynasty, it is surmised that this was composed in the first or second century A.D. The narrator himself states: “Vyasa, adept in the composition of Puranas, composed this Puranasamhita with Akhyanas, Upakhyanas, Githas, and Kalpanirayas. A Suta named Romaharsana was Vyasa’s chief disciple. The broad-minded Vyasa gave that samhita to that Suta. Romaharsana had six disciples named Sumati, Agnivarchas, Mitrayus, Sarhsapayana, Arkatrvana, and Savarni. Of these, Arkatrvana, Savarni, and Sarhsapayana, born in the Kasyapagotra, have composed Puranasamhitas. There is yet another samhita composed by Romaharsana which was the basis of the samhitas of his three disciples. I have composed Vishnu Purana based on the above four samhitas.” If a man gives the Vishnu Purana as a gift on the full moon day in the month of Asadha (July) with Jaladheenu, he will attain Vishnupada.

Naradiya Purana This Purana is in the form of a narration by Narada to Sanatkumara. In this book of twenty-five thousand verses, Narada teaches the dharmas of Bhratkalpa. If this is given as a gift on the full moon day in the month of Asvina, there will be great prosperity.

Padma Purana This Purana is divided into six Khandas comprising fifty-five thousand verses. The six Khandas are Srstikhanda, Bhumikhanda, Svargakhanda, Patalakhanda, Uttarakhanda, and Kriyayogasara. The Uttarakhanda describes the importance of all months and also the lotus, the seat of Brahma. This contains the stories of Sakuntala and Sri Rama as described by Kalidasa in his works Sakuntala and Raghuvamsa, which has made some believe that this Purana was written after Kalidasa. If this Purana is given as a gift with a cow in the month of Jyestha (June), it brings prosperity.

Garuda Purana This Purana is in the form of instructions to Garuda by Vishnu. It deals with astronomy, medicine, grammar, and the structure and qualities of diamonds. This Purana is dear to Vaishnavites. The latter half of this Purana deals with life after death. The Hindus of north India generally read this Purana while cremating the bodies of the dead. It has given great importance to the origin of Garuda. There are eight thousand verses in this Purana. This Purana should be given as a gift along with an image in gold of a swan to gain prosperity.

Varaha Purana The mode of narration in this Purana is Varaha, the third incarnation of Vishnu, narrating the story. The theme focuses on holy places and mantras. It states that the goddess of earth prayed to MahaVishnu, and that prayer took the form of a goddess. This Purana contains fourteen thousand verses. If one gives it as a gift along with a golden image of Garuda on the full moon day in the month of Caitra (April), one will attain Vishnuloka.

Bhagavata Purana This is the most popular and widely circulated of all the Puranas and is dear to Vishnu devotees. Divided into twelve Skandhas, it contains eighteen thousand shlokas. All the incarnations of Vishnu are described in this Purana. The most interesting Skandha is the tenth, in which the life and activities of Sri Krishna are described. There was once a belief that it was Baladeva, who lived in the thirteenth century A.D., who composed this Purana. But this belief was dismissed when it was found that Vallabacarya of Bengal, who lived in the eleventh century A.D., had made references to this Purana in some of his works. Bhagavata accepts Kapila and Buddha as incarnations of Vishnu. The Bhagavatam has been translated into all Indian languages. This Purana has to be given as a gift on the full moon day in the month of Proshthapada (September).

Brahmanda Purana This Purana deals with the origin of the universe as told by Brahma. In the beginning, there was a golden egg, and the prapancha (universe with its activities) was formed out of it. Portions of Adhyatma Ramayana, references to Bharda and Krishna, and the incarnation of Parasurama are included in this. This book contains twelve thousand verses, and it is believed to be uttama (best) to give this book as a gift to a brahmin.

Brahmavaivarta Purana This was instructed to Savarnika by Narada. The theme is the story of Rathantara. There are four Khandas in this Purana called Brahma Kanda, Prakrti Kanda, Ganesa Kanda, and Krsnajanma Kanda. This deals with Prapancasrsti (creation of the universe). It says that Prapanca is nothing but the Vaivrata (transformation) of Brahman. It is considered to be holy to give this Purana containing eighteen thousand verses as a gift on the full moon day in the month of Magha (February).

Markandeya Purana This is one of the ancient Puranas. There are many stories regarding Indra, Surya, and Agni in this. This includes a division called Devimahatmya containing praises about the goddess Durga. This contains nine thousand verses, and it is considered as uttama (best) to give this Purana as a gift to a brahmin on a full moon day in the month of Karttika (November).

Bhavishya Purana This is what is told to Manu by Surya (Sun). This contains statements about future events. The book praises the worship of Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and Naga (Serpent). There is an annexure dealing with the several holy places of Bharata and the rights of pilgrims. The Purana contains fourteen thousand verses, and it is considered to be uttama (best) to give this Purana along with treacle as a gift to a brahmin on the full moon day in the month of Pausha (January).

Vamana Purana All the incarnations of Vishnu from Vamana downwards are described in this Purana. The scene of Shiva marrying Parvati is vividly described in this Purana. This Purana contains ten thousand verses, and it is considered to be uttama (best) to give this Purana as a gift in the autumn season or at the time of Visuva to a Brahmin.

Brahma Purana This is in the form of teachings by Brahma to Daksa. This contains twenty-five thousand verses. Brahma Purana states about a Suryaksethra (sun-temple) situated at a place called Konarka near the holy place of Puri, installed there in the year 1241 A.D. If this Purana along with Jaladhenum is given as a gift on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakha (May), the donor will attain heaven.

Matsya Purana Matsya, the incarnation of Vishnu, taught this Purana to Manu. The incarnation of Matsya is dealt with in this. Several subjects like Jainamata (religion of Jainism), Buddhamata (Buddhism), Natyasastra (hisrionics), and Andhrarajya-vamsa (kingdom and Kings of Andhra) are discussed in this Purana. The Purana contains thirteen thousand verses, and this is to be given as a gift along with a golden image of a fish at the time of Visuva.

Kurma Purana This Purana is taught by Kurmamurti, the incarnation of Vishnu as Kurma (tortoise), while narrating the story of Indradyumna at Patala. All the seven islands and seven oceans are described in this Purana. Bharata is situated in the center of all these and is called Jambudvipa. Though it is believed that there were four samhitas for this, only the Brahma-samhita is available now.

Shiva Purana This contains instructions of Shiva on Dharma sitting in the form of Linga (Phallus). The twenty-four incarnations of Shiva are described in this book. This contains twelve thousand verses, and if this book is given as a gift to a brahmin with tiladhen on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna (March), the donor will attain Shivasayujya.

Skanda Purana This Purana is narrated by Skanda. The theme is the slaughter of the demon Tarakasura by Skanda (Subrahmanya). There is a great similarity between this Purana and the Kumarasambhava of Kalidasa. There are eighty-four thousand verses.

Agni Purana This Purana was instructed to the sage Vasistha by Agnideva. There are several references in this to Shiva Linga and Durga Devi. The incarnations of Rama and Krishna are also dealt with in this. Distinct from other Puranas, this Purana deals with arts and sciences like Kavyaalankaratanakas (poems, dramas, figures of speech), Jyotish shastra (astronomy), and Shilpakala (architecture). This Purana is capable of imparting knowledge on all arts and sciences.

Summary

The article provides a comprehensive overview of various Puranas, ancient Hindu scriptures that narrate the history, cosmology, and legends of the gods and the universe. The Vishnu Purana, described as the most significant, revolves around the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and is considered a gem among Puranas. Other notable Puranas include the Naradiya Purana, which focuses on the dharmas of Bhratkalpa, and the Padma Purana, which highlights the importance of different months and contains stories of Shakuntala and Sri Rama. Each Purana is revered for its unique content, ranging from cosmology, religious rites, and philosophy to specific narratives about the incarnations of deities like Vishnu and Shiva.

The Puranas serve as a spiritual guide for devotees, often suggesting specific times and ways of giving them as gifts to attain prosperity, spiritual knowledge, or liberation. For instance, the Garuda Purana deals with topics like astronomy and the afterlife and is often read during cremations in North India. The article emphasizes the cultural and religious significance of these texts in Hinduism, as well as their deep connection to various rituals and practices that have been passed down through generations.

Important Points

1. Vishnu Purana is considered the most important Purana, focusing on the ten incarnations of MahaVishnu.
2. Naradiya Purana teaches the dharmas of Bhratkalpa through the narration of Narada to Sanatkumara.
3. Padma Purana includes stories of Shakuntala and Sri Rama and discusses the importance of various months.
4. Garuda Purana addresses astronomy, life after death, and is read during cremations in North India.
5. Varaha Purana focuses on holy places and mantras, narrated by Varaha, the third incarnation of Vishnu.
6. Bhagavata Purana is popular among Vishnu devotees, detailing the life of Sri Krishna and other incarnations of Vishnu.
7. Brahmanda Purana narrates the origin of the universe and includes portions of the Adhyatma Ramayana.
8. Brahmavaivarta Purana discusses the creation of the universe and is divided into four Khandas.
9. Markandeya Purana includes the Devimahatmya, which praises the goddess Durga.
10. Bhavishya Purana contains statements about future events and praises the worship of Surya, Agni, and Naga.
11. Vamana Purana describes the incarnations of Vishnu from Vamana onwards and includes the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
12. Brahma Purana discusses the sun-temple at Konarka and contains twenty-five thousand verses.
13. Matsya Purana deals with the Matsya incarnation of Vishnu and discusses various subjects, including Jainism and Buddhism.
14. Kurma Purana is taught by Vishnu’s Kurma (tortoise) incarnation and describes the seven islands and oceans.
15. Shiva Purana focuses on the twenty-four incarnations of Shiva and his teachings on Dharma.