The 18 Puranas of - Sanatan Dharma

Introduction :

The Puranas hold special significance for understanding the religious and cultural traditions of Sanatana Dharma. The word "Purana" means "ancient," meaning those that describe past events. These texts are rich not only from a religious perspective but also from historical, cultural, social, astronomical, and ethical perspectives.

The Puranas, composed by sage Vyasa, are believed to number 18, known as the "Maha Puranas." In addition, there are 18 Upapuranas. This blog is primarily based on the 18 Maha Puranas.

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Mahapuranas and their Subjects :

Brahma Puran 

• It praises Lord Brahma, describes the origin of the universe, and describes pilgrimage sites.
• It provides information on religious rituals and rules.

Padma Puran 

• It describes the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, religion, pilgrimages and fasts.
• It is divided into five sections.

Vishnu Puran 

• Creation, Manvantara, Suryavansh, Chandravansh and the exploits of Lord Krishna are described.
• It is considered the foundational text of the Vaishnava tradition.

Shiv Puran 

• It contains stories of Lord Shiva's origin, marriage, pastimes, the 12 Jyotirlingas, and the Rudra avatars.
• It is extremely important for Shaivism.

Bhagwat Puran 

• It describes the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna and the glory of Bhakti Yoga.
• It is divided into 12 sections.

Narad Puran 

• It describes devotion, meditation, fasting, karma, and rituals.
• It contains the teachings of Narada Muni.

Markandeya Puran 

• Durga Saptashati (Chandi Path) is included in this.
• It is the main source of worship of Goddess Shakti.

Agni Puran 

• Provides information on subjects like Ayurveda, Vastu, Policy, Warfare, Sculpture etc.

Bhavishya Puran 

• It is famous for its descriptions of future events, dynasties, and the Kali Yuga.
• It also provides a glimpse into the future of India.

Brahma Vaivarta Puran 

• It is an extension of the pastimes of Lord Krishna and Radha.
• It is highly revered for Radha-Krishna devotion.

Ling Puran 

• It describes the origin of the Shivalinga and its worship methods.
• It is a very popular text for Shiva devotees.

Varah Puran 

• There is the story of Lord Vishnu's Varaha incarnation.
• The glories of pilgrimages, fasts, and charity are specifically described.

Skanda Puran 

• It is the largest Purana. It contains stories of Shiva, Parvati, and Kartikeya.
• It describes the glories of pilgrimage sites like Kashi, Dwarka, Badrinath, and Ayodhya.

Vaman Puran 

• It discusses the story of Vamana incarnation and topics related to Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva.

Kurma Puran 

• Discusses Dharma, Yoga and Tapasya through the Kurma avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Matsya Puran  

• The story of Matsya Avatar and the protection of Manu during the deluge is prominent.
• It also provides information on sculpture and architecture.

Garud Puran 

• It provides information about the soul's journey after death, the realm of Yama, sins and virtues, hell, and the rituals of Shraddha.
• It is very important from the perspective of understanding death and rebirth.

Brahmand Puran 

• There is a description of the creation of the universe, expansion of the worlds, Kalpa-Manvantar and Srivaikuntha.

Importance and Utility :

• The Puranas conveyed Vedic knowledge to the masses in simple language
• They cover a wide range of subjects, including religious conduct, ethics, social order, astronomy, Ayurveda, music, craftsmanship, and more.
• These texts are not only religious but also reflect a way of life and culture.

Conclusion :

The 18 Mahapuranas of Sanatan Dharma are not only a means of understanding the Dharma, but also provide guidance for every aspect of life. Their study not only leads to salvation but also teaches humanity about their duties, actions, and the excellence of character. These texts are a priceless treasure of India's culture, history, and spirituality.

ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः
हरिः ॐ

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