Sometimes also called Adi Purana, because many Mahapuranas lists put it first of 18. Influential and elaborated during Bhakti movement.

Numerous inconsistent versions of this text and historical manuscripts exist, in many Indian languages. It contains controversial genealogical details of various dynasties. The most studied and popular of the Puranas, telling of Vishnu’s Avatars, and of Vaishnavism. Includes geography of Mithila (Bihar and neighboring states), cultural history, politics, education system, iconography, taxation theories, organization of army, theories on proper causes for war, diplomacy, local laws, building public projects, water distribution methods, trees and plants, medicine, Vastu Shastra (architecture), gemology, grammar, metrics, poetry, food, rituals and numerous other topics. Types of Puran in Hinduism:Ĭontains encyclopedic information. Vamsanucaritam: legends during the times of various kings. Manvantara: cosmic cycles, history of the world during the time of one patriarchĥ. Vamsa: genealogy of the gods, sages and kingsĤ. These are called the Pancha Lakshana, and are topics covered by a Purana:ģ. Several Puranas, such as the Matsya Purana, list “five characteristics” or “five signs” of a Purana. Tamas – “Ignorance” – Matsya Purana, Kurma purana, Skanda Purana, Agni Purana Characteristics of Puran Rajas – “Passion” – Brahmanda Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Markandeya Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Vamana Purana, Brahma Puranaģ. Sattva – “Truth” – Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Naradeya Purana, Garuda Purana, Padma Purana, Varaha PuranaĢ. The Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda (236.18-21), classifies the Puranas in accordance with the three gunas or qualities truth, passion, and ignorance.ġ. These are said to be eighteen in number, divided into three groups of six, though they are not always counted in the same way.

Of the many texts designated ‘Puranas’ the most important are the Mahapuranas or Maha-Puran or “The Major Puranas”. Composed primarily in Sanskrit, but also in Tamil and other Indian languages, several of these texts are named after major Hindu deities such as Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva and Devi.

Kuch purana in english