The Puranas are a vast genre of ancient Hindu scriptures that contain myths, legends, genealogies, cosmology, and teachings related to dharma (righteousness). They are an essential part of Hindu literature and serve as a bridge between Vedic knowledge and the common people, narrating profound spiritual wisdom in the form of stories.
How Many Puranas Are There?
There are a total of 18 Mahāpurāṇas (major Puranas) and 18 Upa-purāṇas (minor Puranas). The 18 Mahāpurāṇas are the most well-known and widely studied. Each of these is attributed to Sage Vyasa and is classified based on its inclination toward one of the three aspects of divinity—Satva (goodness), Rajas (passion), or Tamas (ignorance).
The 18 Major Puranas
The Mahāpurāṇas are traditionally divided into three groups of six, each associated with one of the three gunas (modes of nature):
Satvik Puranas (Related to Vishnu – Mode of Goodness)
These Puranas emphasize devotion (bhakti) towards Lord Vishnu.
1. Vishnu Purana – Covers the glory of Lord Vishnu and creation.
2. Bhagavata Purana (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam) – The most revered Purana focusing on Krishna’s pastimes.
3. Narada Purana – Explains devotion and dharma through Narada Muni’s teachings.
4. Garuda Purana – Discusses afterlife, karma, and Vishnu’s greatness.
5. Padma Purana – Contains extensive stories of devotion, including the division of Puranas.
6. Varaha Purana – Narrates Lord Vishnu’s Varaha (boar) incarnation.
Rajasik Puranas (Related to Brahma – Mode of Passion)
These Puranas focus on creation and knowledge.
7. Brahma Purana – Describes creation and sacred sites.
8. Brahmāṇḍa Purana – Talks about cosmology and genealogies.
9. Brahma Vaivarta Purana – Centers around Radha-Krishna and the material world.
10. Markandeya Purana – Contains the Durga Saptashati and the story of Devi Mahatmya.
11. Bhavishya Purana – Discusses future events and predictions.
12. Vamana Purana – Details Lord Vamana’s (dwarf incarnation) story.
Tamasik Puranas (Related to Shiva & Shakti – Mode of Ignorance)
These Puranas focus on destruction and Shiva’s supremacy.
13. Shiva Purana – Describes Lord Shiva’s greatness and stories.
14. Linga Purana – Discusses the significance of the Shiva Linga.
15. Skanda Purana – The longest Purana, focused on Lord Kartikeya (Murugan).
16. Agni Purana – Contains information on various topics, including rituals and cosmology.
17. Matsya Purana – Narrates Lord Vishnu’s Matsya (fish) incarnation.
18. Kurma Purana – Centers on the Kurma (tortoise) incarnation of Vishnu.
The 18 Upa-Puranas (Minor Puranas)
In addition to the Mahāpurāṇas, there are 18 Upa-Purāṇas, which also contain historical, philosophical, and devotional teachings but are considered secondary in importance. Some of these include:
Sanatkumara Purana
Narasimha Purana
Brihaddharma Purana
Aditya Purana
Ganesha Purana
Devi Bhagavata Purana (sometimes considered a Mahapurana)
Significance of the Puranas
The Puranas serve multiple purposes:
Spiritual Knowledge: They explain deep Vedic truths in the form of stories.
Bhakti & Devotion: Many Puranas inspire devotion to Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi.
Dharma & Ethics: They provide moral lessons and practical guidance for life.
Historical & Cultural Insights: They preserve genealogies and historical events.
Cosmology & Creation: They describe the universe’s origin, cycles of time, and divine interventions.
Conclusion
The 36 Puranas (18 Mahāpurāṇas and 18 Upa-Purāṇas) form a treasure trove of wisdom, devotion, and history in Hindu tradition. Among these, the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is considered the most significant, as it exclusively focuses on pure devotion (bhakti) to Lord Krishna. The Puranas continue to inspire millions, helping them connect with divine knowledge and live a righteous life.
