About the Puranas

The Puranas (“ancient” or “old narratives”) are a vast genre of Hindu literature that encompass a wide range of topics - cosmology, genealogy of gods and sages, creation myths, legends of kings and heroes, temple traditions, philosophy, and pilgrimage guides. They serve as the primary vehicle through which Vedic knowledge was made accessible to the common people.

Traditionally, there are eighteen Maha Puranas (Great Puranas) and eighteen Upa Puranas (Minor Puranas). The Maha Puranas are classified into three groups based on the deity they primarily glorify:

Vaishnava Puranas (glorifying Lord Vishnu)

• Vishnu Purana
• Bhagavata Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam)
• Narada Purana
• Garuda Purana
• Padma Purana
• Varaha Purana

Shaiva Puranas (glorifying Lord Shiva)

• Shiva Purana
• Linga Purana
• Skanda Purana
• Agni Purana
• Matsya Purana
• Kurma Purana

Brahma Puranas (glorifying Lord Brahma)

• Brahma Purana
• Brahmanda Purana
• Brahma Vaivarta Purana
• Markandeya Purana
• Bhavishya Purana
• Vamana Purana

Each Purana traditionally addresses five subjects (Pancha Lakshana): Sarga (creation), Pratisarga (secondary creation), Vamsha (genealogy), Manvantara (cosmic cycles), and Vamshanucharita (histories of dynasties).

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