sign in sign up
<<
Home , Brahma Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Vasishtha, Venkateswara, Vishnu Purana

Component-I (A) – Personal details:

Prof. P. Bhaskar Reddy Sri University, .

Prof. V. Ramana Reddy Director, O.R.I., S. V.University, Tirupati.

Prof. V. Venkata Ramana Reddy Director, O.R.I., S. V.University, Tirupati.

Prof. V. Kannan University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad.

Component-I (B) – Description of module:

Subject Name Indian Culture

Paper Name Vedic, Epic and Puranic culture of

Module Name/Title Origin, Development and General Survey of

Module Id I C / VEPC / 31

Pre requisites Knowledge in later Vedic literature and importance of Puranas To know about the origin, development, content Objectives Classification and Overview of important Puranas Keywords Purana / Vedavyasa

E-text (Quadrant-I): 1. Introduction Purana, (: “Ancient”) in the sacred literature of , any of a number of popular encyclopaedic collections of myth, legend, and genealogy, varying greatly as to date and origin. The holy Puranas are a vast treasure of literary and spiritual knowledge that throw light on past, present and future. It is said that the Puranas are the richest collection of mythological information in this world. In totality, the Eighteen Puranas contain information about ancient myths and folklores that pertain to some form of spiritual knowledge. Each of these Puranas is a book of hymns, stories, knowledge and instructions regarding sacred rituals and the way life should be led. It contains cosmic knowledge and how the universe affects our living. Traditionally, there are supposed to be 18 major Puranas. Puranas were written almost entirely in narrative couplets, in much the same easy flowing style as the two great Sanskrit epic poems, the and the . The early Puranas were probably compiled by upper-caste authors who appropriated popular beliefs and ideas from people of various castes. Later Puranas reveal evidence of vernacular influences and the infusion of local religious traditions. These religious scriptures discuss varied topics like devotion to God in his various aspects, traditional sciences like , Jyotish, , and concepts like , , reincarnation and many other Sages. The Puranas are a genre of important Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religious texts, notably consisting of narratives of the history of the universe from creation to destruction, genealogies of kings, heroes, sages, and demigods, and descriptions of , philosophy, and geography. Puranas usually give prominence to a particular deity, usually written in the form of stories related by one person to another. scholars read from them and tell their stories, usually in Katha sessions (in which a traveling Brahmin settles for a few weeks in a temple and narrates parts of a Purana).

Time period of Puranas Most of them attained their final form around 500 A.D. but they were passed on as an oral tradition since the time of (c. 1500 B.C.). In reference to the Origin of Indian Puranas, an early reference is found in the 500 BCE. Author of Puranas Sage Vedavyasa The Puranas are part of Hindu . Sage is credited with compilation of Puranas from age to age, and for the current age, he has been identified and named Krishna Dvaipayana, the son of sage . According to tradition they were written by Vyasa at the end of , while modern scholarship dates them to the latter half of the first millennium AD. Vyasa is credited with compilation of Puranas from age Yuga to age, and for the current age, he has been identified and named Krishna Dvaipayana, the son of sage Parashara. According to tradition they were written by Vyasa at the end of Dvapara Yuga, while modern scholarship dates them to the latter half of the first millennium AD. One of the main objectives of the Puranas was to make available the essence of the to the common man, and the Vedas were basically meant not for the scholars but for the ordinary man. They bring forth the Vedic knowledge and teachings by way of myths; parables, allegories and stories; legends; life stories of kings and other prominent persons; and chronologies of historical events. The Puranas unfolds the principles of Hinduism in a very simple way. In all these Puranas the goddess is given a laudable place without any sectarian dispute. In the Vaishnavite Puranas, starts telling the efficacy of to the Goddess . While Shaiva mythology places goddess Parvati, the consort of Shiva, as one half of His body (ardha naareeshvara ), Vaishnavites place the Goddess Lakshmi in the heart of Vishnu itself, as if it were a lotus (hridaya kamala). This is to depict the inseparable union of Universal purusha and prakriti, seed and field, or male and female. Puranas (aka Puranams) usually refer to the Mahapuranas. There are also smaller Puranas known as Upapurananas. It is 2. Contents of Puranas The Puranas are the basis for getting knowledge about history, culture and heritage of the bygone eras. Most of the puranas provide details of the lineages and the role they provided in the upliftment of the society. The Puranas are the richest collection of mythology in the world. With the Origin of Indian Puranas, the civilization was introduced to various cosmic concepts. The mass can learn about the Sarga; the creation of the universe, the Pratisarga; Secondary creations, mostly recreations after dissolution, the Vamsa; Genealogy of gods and sages, the ; The creation of the human race and the first human beings. The epoch of the Manus' rule, seventy one celestial or 308,448,000 years and the Vamsanucaritam: Dynastic histories. The Brhadaranyaka Upanishad refers to Purana as the "fifth Veda" and reflects the early religious importance of these myths. The term also appears in the . According to Pargiter, it is believed that, the original Purana were written during the final redaction of the Vedas. In addition to that, Gavin Flood also connects the commencement of the written Purana. According to historical chronicles, the Puranas are related to each other. However, each of them presents a view of ordering of the world from a particular perspective. Since the

Origin of Indian Puranas, these texts are given due importance and they were compiled by particular groups of to propagate a particular vision. The texts narrate tale and legends of several deities such as Vishnu, Shiva or Goddess . The Puranas come in various vernacular translations and are spread by Brahmin scholars. These texts are disseminated from one generation to another orally. 3. Classification of Puranas There are eighteen major Puranas and a few minor ones. Each is a long book consisting of various stories of the Gods and Goddesses, hymns, an outline of ancient history, cosmology, rules of life, rituals, and instructions on spiritual knowledge. Hence the Puranas are like encyclopedias of religion and culture and contain material of different levels and degrees of difficulty. Veda Vyasas scripted Eighteen Main Puranas besides several Upa-Puranas. The Main Puranas are Purana, , Brahmanda Purana, Purana, , Purana, Purana, Purana, Purana, , , Skanda Purana, Purana, Purana, Purana, Padma Purana, Bhavishya and Purana. Some of the prominent Upa Puranas include Bhagavata, , , Sthala and Nilamata Puranas. 3.1 . Major Puranas 18 Puranas, which can be understood from the following three heading: 3.1.1. Sattvic puranas – glorifying lord Vishnu (1) Vishnu Purana (2) Naradiya Purana (3) Srimad (4) Garuda (Suparna) Purana (5) Padma Purana (6) Varaha Purana 3.1.2. Rajasic puranas – glorifying lord Brahma (7) (8) Brahmanda Purana (9) Brahma Vaivarta Purana (10) Markandeya Purana (11) Bhavishya Purana (12) Vamana Purana 3.1.3. Tamasic puranas – glorifying lord Shiva (13) Matsya Purana (14) (15) Linga Purana (16) Siva Purana (17) Skanda Puarana (18) Agni Purana

3.2 Minor Puranas (Upa- Puranas) Apart from 18 Puranas there are 18 Upa-Puranas which are ancillary texts. They include: Sanat-kumara, Narasimha, Brihan-naradiya, Siva-rahasya, , , Vamana, Bhargava, , Kalika, , Nandi, , Parasara, , Devi- Bhagavata, , , and . The Ganesha and Mudgala Puranas are devoted to Ganesha. The Devi-Bhagavata Purana, which extols the goddess Durga, has become (along with the of the Markandeya Purana) a basic text for Devi worshiper 18 Upa-Puranas which are as under:- (1) Sanatkumara (2) Narasimha (3) Brihannaradiya (4) Sivarahasya (5) Durvasa (6) Kapila (7) Vamana (8) Bhargava (9) Varuna (10) Kalika (11) Samba (12) Nandi (13) Surya (14) Parasara (15) Vasishtha (16) Devi-Bhagavata (17) Ganesha (18) Hamsa 4. Overview of Important Puranas 4.1. Bhagavata (18,000 verses) The most celebrated and popular of the Puranas, telling of Vishnu’s ten . Its tenth and longest canto narrates the deeds of Krishna, introducing his childhood exploits : It is said that after Vyasadeva finished writing Puranas, he still felt like something was missing. At this moment, Narada Muni suggested Vyasadeva to start writing Srimad Bhagvatam. This was vyasadevas most important work as it contains the in-depth description of Lord various incarnations and also entails a description of Lord Krishna’s life. It has 12 chapters in it with about 18,000 verses. After the completion of this purana, Vyasa taught this knowledge to his son Suka Bramha . After learning about Bhagvata purana, 4.2. Bhavishya: It is the 11th purana and contains a detailed narrative of the genesis, stories of different gods and their reincarnations, special description of Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Surya. It is in the Bhavishya purana that an exact prediction on Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammad, Adam and Eve, the extinction of Sanskrit, Buddha, Asoka, Krishna Chaitnya, etc. is given. In Bhavishya purana the supremacy of Lord Brahma has been established.

4.3. Brahma: It contains 24,000 verses and has details about the beginning of universe and cosmos. The story behind Brahma purana is one day all the learned sages were preparing for a in Naimisharanya forest. Amongst these sages was Romaharshana as also attending the great yajna, he was a disciple of Vedavyasas. He was well read in all of the puranas. Therefore, all the other sages at the yajna made a request to him to tell them the stories of the puranas. Romaharshana imparted the knowledge that he received from his master which was the knowledge that first Brahma himself discoursed many years ago to and the other sages.

4.4. Brahmanda: It contains 12,000 verses and contains the Lalitha Sahasranamam, a text recited as a prayer. It is apparently available in separate parts as it is very vast textually. It has four main parts: Prakriya, Anushanga, Upotaghat and Upasamhar. The narrator of this purana was Sutaji, who narrated it on the banks of the river Drishdvati in Yaksh Kshetra. Sutaji had heard this purana from Vedvyasa himself. Brahmanda consists of the story of the creation of the universe, segregation of different yugas, narrative of Kimpurush, etc.

4.5. Brahmavaivarta: It contains 18,000 verses and describes the creation and purpose of life and the deeds of different Gods like Ganesha, Krishna, etc.

4.6. Vishnu: It contains 23,000 verses and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Vishnu Purana is a primary sacred text of the Vaishnava branch of Hinduism, which today probably has more adherents than any other. It is one of the canonical Puranas, a branch of post- Vedic sacred literature which was first committed to writing during the first millennium of the Common Era. Like most of the other Puranas, this is a complete narrative from the creation of the current universe to its destruction. The chronology describes periods as long as a hundred trillion (1014) years! It includes extensive sections on the genealogy of the legendary kings, heroes and demigods of ancient India, including those from the epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana. There are fascinating descriptions of ancient Hindu cosmology and geography. Of general interest is a collection of stories about the boyhood adventures of Krishna and , whom the Vaishnavas believe to be avatars of Vishnu. There are also references to Buddhism and Jainism, which help establish the date of composition of the work.

4.7. Garuda: It contains 19,000 verses and has information about what happens after a person dies and kind of treatment he gets for his deeds on earth. It is similar to the concept of Judgment Day in Christianity.

4.8. : It contains 16,000 verses and has information on the life of Lord Krishna.

4.9. Kurma: It contains 17,000 verses and has information on the of Lord Vishnu as a tortoise that came to be known as the Kurma avatar. Skanda (81,100 verses) The longest Purana, it is an extraordinarily meticulous pilgrimage guide, containing geographical locations of pilgrimage centers in India, with related legends, parables, hymns and stories. Many untraced quotes are attributed to this text.

4.10.Linga : It contains 81,000 verses and it has information on the importance of the holy Linga and the origin of the Universe. – The longest Purana, it is an extraordinarily meticulous pilgrimage guide, containing geographical locations of pilgrimage centers in India, with related legends, parables, hymns and stories. Many untraced quotes are attributed to this text. 4.11. Markandya: It contains 9000 verses and it contains the dialogue between two ancient sages, Jamini and Markandya. This Purana is a rich purana with 9000 Shlokas and full of ancient stories and analogues. Katha, origin of creatures, Incarnation of Dattatraya, Madalasa, Ritudhwaj, etc are some of the important analogues. There are life sketches of .Manvantare, Shrikrishna, Markandeya.It also covers origin of shrushti, geography of Bharat (India), the transformation of soul after death, different hells (Narak) different sins, the repentance for these sins, etc. There are beautiful on the goddesses like Parvati, Katyayani, and the gods like sun, Agni (fire), which distinguishes this from other Puranas.

4.12.Matsya: It contains 14,000 verses and describes the first avatar of Lord Vishnu as a fish.

4.13. Narada: It contains 25,000 verses and contains the description of major pilgrim places. Sanatkumar narrated 25000 Shlokas to narada in this Purana. It has I part and II part. Gangavatarana, Tithivrate, Daam Mahima, Repentances, Naam Mahatmya, Shrushti Nirupane, Dhyan , Dharma are the subjects included in this Purana. One can find an exhaustive list of 18 Puranas in the 92 to 109 chapters of this Purana. It tells the importance of Shiva. Sanatkumar, Soot , Shankar, Vaishnav, Brahma, Saur are different sections based on the codes (). The impact everywhere is of the importance of Shiva Mahima, Hathayoga, Shivshakti Royashya, Brahimageeta Vedarth Viichar, Vedanat Nirupana …..as is seen in this Purana.

4.14. Padma: It contains 55,000 verses and has information on the essence of religion and cosmos. This is one Purana, with the significance of Vaishav Purana and hence given importance. It extends to be extent of 55000 Shlokas, almost next to Skanda Purana. This Purana is further classified into 5 Khandas (Sections), such as Shrushti Khand, Shoomi Khanda, Pataal Khanda and Uttar Khanda. In its Shrushti Khand, there are many analogues and stories of greatness covered. Shrushti Kathan (telling about Shrusthi – ), Manwantare, (Havoc) Varah Katha, origin of four Varnas (Caste system). Dialogue between Vishnu – Bramha, Daksha Yadnya, Vidvansa (Destruction), the origin of , Pruthu, Aditya, Ikshavak, Purarava, Kartveerya, Bhrugu, , Veer bhandra, waman, Tarakasur etc are the topics and subjects covered in Shrushti Khanda. In Bhoomi Khand, the analogues of Shivsharma, Savrata, Marut, Sukar, , Ashok Sundari ate included. In Swargakhanda, there are the biographies of Dushyant, Varun, , , Sagar, Divodas, Harischandra, Mandhata are there, so also the vivid descriptions of Apsaralok, Suryalok, Maharlok, are

covered. The critical discussion about Ashramdharma, Bhakshyabhaksha, Rajdharma, also appears here. In Patal Khand, one finds Ramehatritra Kamakshi Charitra, Yavatakhyan, Nilgiriyatra, Gandaki Mahatmya, Veravati Mahatmya, Sabarmati Mahatmya, Purushottam , Charitra, Satyavan Katha, Karmavipak, Krishna Katha, Vrindavan, Mahatmya, Shivling Pooja Vidhi, Mahapurana etc covered. In the fifth Uttara Khand, the importance (Mahatmya) of Badrikashram, Jalandharakhyan, Shail Haridwar, Ganga Yamuna, Tulsi Prayag, Annadana Ekadashi etc has been narrated. Similarly the subjects like Danprashamsa, Chaturmas , Analogue of Mudgas Rishi, Vishnu Schasranam Stotra, Ram Raksha, Dharma Prashamsa, Vetravati – Mahatmya, Geeta – Mahatmya, Markandeya Katha, Sundopsund Katha, Kundal Vikundal Katha, Dashavatar are discussed in detail.

4.15. Shiva: It contains 24,000 verses and is completely dedicated to Lord Shiva. The importance and dominance of Lord Shiva has been highlighted in this Purana, with seven cotes () and the total number of Shlokas numbering 24000. Devotion to Lord Shiva, their superiority, the pilgrim places of Lord Shiva, Yadnya, Good Behavior, Parthiva Pooja, Panchakshar , Bhasma Prakar, Bilva, Rudraksha, are some of the topics covered with same analogues & stories. These have so to say enhanced the importance of this Purana. There are many other subjects such Naurada garvaharan, Marriage of Shiva Parvati, Kamadahan, Birth of , Assassination of Jarakasura, Birth of Ganesh, Jalandharakhyan five Incarnations, Twelve Jyotilingas, their importance, so also the importance of Pashupatinath, Trimbakashwar, origin of Godavri, Shivratri Vrata etc. are critically discussed in this Purana.

Skanda : It contains 81,000 verses and is probably the longest Purana of all. It is dedicated to the life of Lord Shiva and Parvati's son, Karthikeya.

4.16. Vamana: It contains 10,000 verses and contains information regarding the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu. This Purana with 10000 Shlokas elevates the Shiva and Shiv cults and glorifies them. Shiv Parvati Charitra (Life sketch), the origin of male female, Veerbhadra katha, Harihar dialogue, Madan Dahan, Adhakasur Katha, Sukeshi Charitra, Story of Uma, Story of Bali and many other subjects form part of this Purana.

4.17.Vayu: It contains 24,000 verses and is dedicated to the Wind God, Vayu.

4.18. Agni (15,400 verses) Contains details of Vastu and Gemology. Agni (fire) parted with the knowledge to Vashishtha Rishi, which is given in this Purana spread over in 15000 Shlokas. The knowledge () of PARA and APARA has been vividly described in lyrical style Avatarjatha, Rajvamsha, Practical knowledge, origin of shrushti, ethics etc are the subjects along with the stories about Rama in the Ranayana have been briefly narrated.

How was the battle fought between Rama and Ravana? This was the question, and the answer was “just like rama and Ravana! “ This is the decorative piece of language used in this Purana. In the chapter no 25 to 45, the Indian science of Architecture has been thoroughly described. The construction of temples, Idols of the Gods, the installation of idols, renovation of temple, are various subjects like saptadweepe, Sapta sagar, Rajdharma, Dharmashashtra, Jyotish, Alankar shashtra, Chhandashashtra, Grammar (Vyakrana), Ashtangyog, Geetasaar, Kalpavidya, Mahinividya etc. which were considered very important.

5. Summary Puranas are very important in Indian religious texts. We can know the topography of not only about India but also about the universe. It gives authentic clues about the ancient history of Indian both historical and pre-historical rulers and their linage. It gives a complete picture of Indian demy gods celestial creatures and their origin and stories. One can study various sciences described in this scriptures like architecture. It also gives a comprehensive procedure philosophy and part of sanatana darma