What are the Puranas ?

• Sanskrit meaning of purāṇa is ‘of ancient time’.

• Literature of Vedic tradition.

• Written almost entirely in narrative couplets.

• Earliest written versions were

compiled during the Gupta empire.

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 Pancha Lakshana
• Sarga

• Pratisarga

• Vamśa

• Manvañtara

• Vamśānucaritam

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 18 PURANAS
Agni Li nga Shi va

Bhrama Padma Skanda

Bhagavata Kurma Vamana

Brahm anda Matsya Varaha

Graruda N arada Vayu

Brahmavai varta Markandeya Vi shnu

 Largest Purana: Skanda Purana

• Titled after Skanda who is also known

as Kartikeya and Murugan.
• It put influence on the Hindu traditions related
to the war-god Skanda.
• Tirtha Mahatmya (pilgrimage tourist guides)

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 Oldest Purana: Vishnu Purana
• It primarily centers around the Hindu
god Vishnu and his avatars such
as Krishna.
• Who is Vishnu?
Out of Vishnu this universe has arisen,
in him its exists, he is the one who
governs its existence and destruction,
he is the universe.

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 Impact of Puranas

Our Traditions and Value System

Our Festivals

Rituals (pujas)

Arts and Culture

Pilgrimage

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 Pilgrimage

• Famous pilgrimage Places in India

and some are quite Famous in
relation to Puranas.

• Orange Dots are UNESCO world

Heritage Site .

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• Samudra mantham mythology,
depicted in above sculpture, is
described in the Vishnu Purana.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok

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