Purana (/pʊˈrɑːnə/; Sanskrit: पुराण, purāṇa; literally meaning "ancient, old"[1]) is a

vast genre of Indian literature about a wide range of topics, particularly about
legends and other traditional lore. The Puranas are known for the intricate layers of
symbolism depicted within their stories. Composed originally in Sanskrit but
in other Indian languages, several of these texts are named after
major Hindu deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma and Shakti. The Puranic genre
of literature is found in both Hinduism and Jainism.
The Puranic literature is encyclopedic, and it includes diverse topics such
as cosmogony, cosmology, genealogies of gods, goddesses, kings, heroes, sages,
and demigods, folk tales, pilgrimages, temples, medicine, astronomy, grammar,
mineralogy, humor, love stories, as well as theology and philosophy. The content
is highly inconsistent across the Puranas, and each Purana has survived in
numerous manuscripts which are themselves inconsistent. The Hindu Maha
Puranas are traditionally attributed to "Vyasa", but many scholars considered them
likely the work of many authors over the centuries; in contrast, most Jaina Puranas
can be dated and their authors assigned.
There are 18 Mukhya Puranas (Major Puranas) and 18 Upa Puranas (Minor
Puranas), with over 400,000 verses. The first versions of various Puranas were
likely to have been composed between 3rd and 10th century CE. The Puranas do
not enjoy the authority of a scripture in Hinduism, but are considered as Smritis.
Vyasa, the narrator of the Mahabharata, is hagiographically credited as the
compiler of the Puranas. The ancient tradition suggests that originally there was
but one Purana. Vishnu Purana (3.6.15) mentions that Vyasa entrusted
his Puranasamhita to his disciple Lomaharshana, who in turn imparted it to his
disciples, three of whom compiled their own samhitas. These three, together with
Lomaharshana's, comprise the Mulasamhita, from which the later eighteen Puranas
were derived.
The term Purana appears in the Vedic texts. For example, Atharva Veda
mentions Purana (in the singular) in XI.7.24 and XV.6.10-11:
"The rk and saman verses, the chandas, the Purana along with the Yajus formulae,
all sprang from the remainder of the sacrificial food, (as also) the gods that resort
to heaven. He changed his place and went over to great direction, and Itihasa and
Purana, gathas, verses in praise of heroes followed in going over."
— Atharva Veda XV.6.10-11,
Similarly, the Shatapatha Brahmana (XI.5.6.8) mentions Itihasapuranam (as one
compound word) and recommends that on the 9th day of Pariplava, the hotr priest
should narrate some Purana because "the Purana is the Veda, this it is"
(XIII.4.3.13). However, states P.V. Kane, it is not certain whether these texts
suggested several works or single work with the term Purana. The late Vedic
text Taittiriya Aranyaka (II.10) uses the term in the plural. Therefore, states Kane,
that in the later Vedic period at least, the Puranas referred to three or more texts,
and that they were studied and recited. In numerous passages the Mahabharata
mentions 'Purana' in both singular and plural forms. Moreover, it is not unlikely
that, where the singular 'Puranam' was employed in the texts, a class of works was
meant.[22] Further, despite the mention of the term Purana or Puranas in the Vedic
texts, there is uncertainty about the contents of them until the composition of the
oldest Dharmashastra Apastamba Dharmasutra and Gautama Dharmasutra, that
mention Puranas resembling with the extant Puranas.
It is not possible to set a specific date for any Purana as a whole, states Ludo
Rocher. He points out that even for the better established and more coherent
puranas such as Bhagavata and Vishnu, the dates proposed by scholars continue to
vary widely and endlessly. The date of the production of the written texts does not
define the date of origin of the Puranas. They existed in an oral form before being
written down. In the 19th century, F. E. Pargiter believed the "original Purana"
may date to the time of the final redaction of the Vedas.[32] Wendy Doniger, based
on her study of indologists, assigns approximate dates to the various Puranas. She
dates Markandeya Purana to c. 250 CE (with one portion dated to c. 550
CE), Matsya Purana to c. 250–500 CE, Vayu Purana to c. 350
CE, Harivamsa and Vishnu Purana to c. 450 CE, Brahmanda Purana to c. 350–950
CE, Vamana Purana to c. 450–900 CE, Kurma Purana to c. 550–850 CE,
and Linga Purana to c. 600–1000 CE.[9]
Mahapuranas
Of the many texts designated 'Puranas' the most important are the Mahāpurāṇas or
the major Puranas.[8] These are said to be eighteen in number, divided into three
groups of six, though they are not always counted in the same way.In the Vishnu
Puran Part 3 Section 6(21-24) the list of Mahapuranas is mentioned .The Bhagavat
Puran mentions the number of verses in each puran in 12.13(4-9)
Verses
Purana
S.No. numbe Comments
Name
r
Sometimes also called Adi Purana, because many
Mahapuranas lists put it first of 18. The text has 245
chapters, shares many passages with Vishnu, Vayu,
10,000 Markendeya Puranas, and with the Mahabharata. Includes
1 Brahma
verses mythology, theory of war, art work in temples, and other
cultural topics. Describes holy places in Odisha, and
weaves themes of Vishnu and Shiva, but hardly any
mention of deity Brahma despite the title.[33]
A large compilation of diverse topics, it describes
cosmology, the world and nature of life from the
perspective of Vishnu. It also discusses festivals,
numerous legends, geography of rivers and regions from
northwest India to Bengal to the kingdom of Tripura,
major sages of India, various Avatars of Vishnu and his
55,000 cooperation with Shiva, a story of Rama-Sita that is
2 Padma
verses different from the Hindu epic Ramayana. The north
Indian manuscripts of Padma Purana are very different
from south Indian versions, and the various recensions in
both groups in different languages (Devanagari and
Bengali, for example) show major inconsistencies. Like
the Skanda Purana, it is a detailed treatise on travel and
pilgrimage centers in India.
 Verses
Purana
S.No. numbe Comments
Name
r
One of the most studied and circulated Puranas, it also
contains genealogical details of various dynasties. Better
preserved after the 17th century, but exists in inconsistent
23,000 versions, more ancient pre-15th century versions are very
3 Vishnu
verses different from modern versions, with some versions
discussing Buddhism and Jainism. Some chapters likely
composed in Kashmir and Punjab region of South Asia. A
Vaishnavism text, focused on Vishnu.
The Shiva Purana is one of eighteen Purana genre
of Sanskrit texts in Hinduism, and part of
the Shaivism literature corpus. It primarily centers around
the Hindu god Shiva and goddess Parvati, but references
24,000
4 Shiva and reveres all gods.
verses
The Shiva Purana asserts that it once consisted of
100,000 verses set out in twelve samhitas (books),
however the Purana adds that it was abridged by sage
Vyasa before being taught to Romaharshana.
The most studied and popular of the Puranas,[14][39] telling
of Vishnu's Avatars, and of Vaishnavism. It contains
18,000 genealogical details of various dynasties.[37] Numerous
5 Bhagavata
verses inconsistent versions of this text and historical
manuscripts exist, in many Indian languages. Influential
and elaborated during Bhakti movement.
Also called Naradiya Purana. Discusses the
25,000 four Vedas and the six Vedangas. Dedicates one chapter
6 Narada
verses each, from Chapters 92 to 109, to summarize the other 17
Maha Puranas and itself. Lists major rivers of India and
 Verses
Purana
S.No. numbe Comments
Name
r
places of pilgrimage, and a short tour guide for each.
Includes discussion of various philosophies, soteriology,
planets, astronomy, myths and characteristics of major
deities including Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Krishna, Rama,
Lakshmi and others.
Describes Vindhya Range and western India. Probably
composed in the valleys of Narmada and Tapti rivers,
Markandey 9,000 in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Named after sage
7
a verses Markandeya, a student of Brahma. Contains chapters
on dharma and on Hindu epic Mahabharata. The Purana
includes Devi Mahatmyam of Shaktism.
Contains encyclopedic information. Includes geography
of Mithila (Bihar and neighboring states), cultural history,
politics, education system, iconography, taxation theories,
15,400 organization of army, theories on proper causes for war,
8 Agni
verses 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.[45]
The Bhavishya Purana (Bhaviṣya Purāṇa, lit. "Future
Purana") is one of the eighteen major works in the Purana
genre of Hinduism, written in Sanskrit.The title
14,500 Bhavishya means "future" and implies it is a work that
9 Bhavishya
verses contains prophecies regarding the future, however, the
"prophecy" parts of the extant manuscripts are a modern
era addition and hence not an integral part of the
Bhavishya Purana.Those sections of the surviving
 Verses
Purana
S.No. numbe Comments
Name
r
manuscripts that are dated to be older, are partly borrowed
from other Indian texts such as Brihat Samhita and
Shamba Purana.
It is related by Savarni to Narada, and centres around the
greatness of Krishna and Radha. In this, the story of
Brahmavai 18,000 Brahma-varaha is repeatedly told. Notable for asserting
10
varta verses that Krishna is the supreme reality and the gods Vishnu,
Shiva, Brahma are incarnations of him. Mentions
geography and rivers such as Ganga to Kaveri.
Discusses Lingam, symbol of Shiva, and origin of the
11,000 universe as per Shaivism. It also contains many stories of
11 Linga
verses Lingam, one of which entails how Agni Lingam solved a
dispute between Vishnu and Brahma.
Primarily Vishnu-related worship manual, with
large Mahatmya sections or travel guide to Mathura and
24,000 Nepal.[48] Presentation focuses on Varaha as incarnation
12 Varaha
verses of Narayana, but rarely uses the terms Krishna or
Vasudeva. Many illustrations also involve Shiva
and Durga.
Describes the birth of Skanda (or Karthikeya), son of
Shiva. The longest Purana, it is an extraordinarily
81,100 meticulous pilgrimage guide, containing geographical
13 Skanda
verses locations of pilgrimage centers in India, with related
legends, parables, hymns and stories. Many untraced
quotes are attributed to this text.
10,000 Describes North India, particularly Himalayan foothills
14 Vamana
verses region.
 Verses
Purana
S.No. numbe Comments
Name
r
17,000 Contains a combination of Vishnu and Shiva related
15 Kurma
verses legends, mythology, Tirtha (pilgrimage) and theology
An encyclopedia of diverse topics.[51] Narrates the story
of Matsya, the first of ten major Avatars of Vishnu.
14,000 Likely composed in west India, by people aware of
16 Matsya
verses geographical details of the Narmada river. Includes
legends about Brahma and Saraswati. It also contains a
controversial genealogical details of various dynasties.
An encyclopedia of diverse topics. Primarily about
Vishnu, but praises all gods. Describes how Vishnu, Shiva
and Brahma collaborate. Many chapters are a dialogue
between Vishnu and the bird-vehicle Garuda. Cosmology,
Describes cosmology, relationship between gods.
Discusses ethics, what are crimes, good versus evil,
various schools of Hindu philosophies, the theory of
Yoga, the theory of "heaven and hell" with "karma and
rebirth", includes Upanishadic discussion of self-
19,000 knowledge as a means of moksha. Includes chapters on
17 Garuda
verses rivers, geography of Bharat (India) and other nations on
earth, types of minerals and stones, testing methods for
stones for their quality, various diseases and their
symptoms, various medicines, aphrodisiacs,
prophylactics, Hindu calendar and its basis, astronomy,
moon, planets, astrology, architecture, building home,
essential features of a temple, rites of passage, virtues
such as compassion, charity and gift making, economy,
thrift, duties of a king, politics, state officials and their
roles and how to appointment them, genre of literature,
 Verses
Purana
S.No. numbe Comments
Name
r
rules of grammar, and other topics. The final chapters
discuss how to practice Yoga (Samkhya and Advaita
types), personal development and the benefits of self-
knowledge.
One of the earliest composed Puranas, it contains a
controversial genealogical details of various
dynasties. Includes Lalita Sahasranamam, law codes,
12,000
18 Brahmanda system of governance, administration, diplomacy, trade,
verses
ethics. Old manuscripts of Brahmanda Purana have been
found in the Hindu literature collections of Bali,
Indonesia.