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PURANAS
The Puranas ("of ancient times") 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 Hindu cosmology, philosophy, and geography.
Puranas usually give prominence to a particular deity, employing an abundance of religious and philosophical concepts. They are usually written in the form of stories related by one person to another, the stories of the Puranas teach Hindus that god is indeed unbelievable, unthinkable and unimaginable so we must all submit before him. The Puranas are available in vernacular translations and are disseminated by Brahmin scholars, who 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, usually with a Bhakti perspective).
| Purana name |
Verses No. |
Comments |
| Agni |
15,400 verses |
Contains details of Vastu Shastra and Gemology |
| Bhagavata |
18,000 verses |
The most celebrated and popular of the
Puranas, telling of Vishnu's ten Avatars. Its tenth and longest canto narrates the deeds of Krishna, introducing his childhood exploits, a theme later elaborated by many Bhakti
movements. |
| Bhavishya |
14,500 verses |
|
| Brahma |
10,000 verses |
Describes about Godavari and its tributaries.Shortest among
Puranas. |
| Brahmanda |
12,000 verses |
includes Lalita Sahasranamam, a text some Hindus recite as prayer |
| Brahmavaivarta |
17,000 verses |
Describes Worshipping protocols of Devis,
Krishna and Ganesha |
| Garuda |
19,000 verses |
Most hallowed Purana regarding the death and its aftermaths. |
| Harivamsa |
16,000 verses |
more often considered itihasa |
| Kurma |
17,000 verses |
|
| Linga |
11,000 verses |
Staunch Shaiva Theological Purana |
| Markandeya |
9,000 verses |
The Devi Mahatmya, an important text for the Shaktas is embedded in it |
| Matsya |
14,000 verses |
|
| Narada |
25,000 verses |
Describe the greatness of Veda and Vedangas. |
| Padma |
55,000 verses |
|
| Shiva |
24,000 verses |
|
| 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. |
| Vamana |
10,000 verses |
Mostly describes about North India and areas around
Kurukshetra. |
| Varaha |
24,000 verses |
|
| Vayu |
24,000 verses |
|
| Vishnu |
23,000 verses |
Considered as the oldest Purana and gem among all Purana |
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