Purana

The Purana is a vast genre of ancient Indian literature that encompasses mythological narratives, religious teachings, genealogies, cosmological theories, and philosophical discourses. Composed in Sanskrit, these texts form one of the most important components of Hindu sacred literature, alongside the Vedas, Upanishads, and Itihasas (the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana). The word Purana literally means ancient or old, signifying their association with age-old wisdom and traditional knowledge.

Historical Background

The origin of the Puranas can be traced to the post-Vedic period, roughly between 300 BCE and 1000 CE, though their oral traditions are believed to be much older. Unlike the Vedas, which were primarily concerned with rituals and sacrifices, the Puranas sought to make religious and moral ideas accessible to the general populace through stories and parables.
Traditionally, the composition of the Puranas is attributed to the sage Vyasa, the same legendary figure who is said to have compiled the Vedas and composed the Mahabharata. However, the texts evolved over centuries through the contributions of numerous scholars and storytellers, reflecting the diverse regional and sectarian traditions of India.
The Puranas were primarily meant to popularise dharma (moral order) among the masses and to explain metaphysical concepts through relatable narratives. They served as an essential medium for preserving and transmitting cultural memory, moral instruction, and theological ideas across generations.

Structure and Characteristics

Each Purana generally follows a traditional five-fold structure known as the Panchalakshana, which includes:

1. Sarga – the creation of the universe.
2. Pratisarga – the recreation or cyclical regeneration of the universe after dissolution.
3. Vamsa – genealogies of gods, sages, and kings.
4. Manvantara – periods of the rule of the Manus, the progenitors of humankind.
5. Vamsanucharita – dynastic histories and legends of various royal families.

Although not all Puranas adhere strictly to this structure, most include these elements interwoven with myths, rituals, and philosophical reflections. The texts are written in versified form (shlokas) and often narrated in the form of dialogues between sages and disciples.

The Eighteen Mahapuranas

There are traditionally eighteen major Puranas (Mahapuranas), each associated with one of the three principal deities of the Hindu trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. These include:
Vaishnava Puranas (dedicated to Vishnu):

• Vishnu Purana
• Bhagavata Purana
• Narada Purana
• Garuda Purana
• Padma Purana
• Varaha Purana

Shaiva Puranas (dedicated to Shiva):

• Shiva Purana
• Linga Purana
• Skanda Purana
• Vayu Purana
• Agni Purana
• Matsya Purana

Brahma Puranas (associated with Brahma and cosmology):

• Brahma Purana
• Brahmanda Purana
• Brahmavaivarta Purana
• Markandeya Purana
• Bhavishya Purana
• Kurma Purana

Each text varies greatly in content, style, and theological emphasis. Some are primarily mythological, while others focus on philosophy, cosmology, or devotional practices.

Themes and Content

The Puranas cover an extraordinary range of topics that include:

• Cosmogony and Cosmology: Detailed descriptions of the creation, preservation, and dissolution of the universe.
• Genealogies: Lineages of gods, sages, and kings, often tracing descent from cosmic ancestors.
• Mythological Narratives: Stories of deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, and their various incarnations and exploits.
• Philosophical and Ethical Teachings: Discussions on dharma, karma, moksha (liberation), and the nature of the soul.
• Religious Practices: Instructions on rituals, pilgrimages, temple worship, and festivals.
• Geography and Cosmography: Descriptions of continents, mountains, rivers, and sacred places in mythic and symbolic forms.

Many Puranas also contain prophecies and historical reflections, blending myth with historical and cultural elements. The Bhavishya Purana, for example, contains accounts of future events and rulers, while the Markandeya Purana includes the famous Devi Mahatmya, celebrating the goddess Durga’s triumph over evil.

Sectarian and Theological Significance

The Puranas played a crucial role in the evolution of Bhakti (devotional) movements in India. They served as accessible texts that promoted the worship of a personal deity, whether Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi.

• The Bhagavata Purana, with its devotion to Lord Krishna, became a cornerstone of Vaishnavism.
• The Shiva Purana and Linga Purana emphasised the supremacy of Shiva.
• The Devi Bhagavata Purana and portions of the Markandeya Purana celebrated the feminine divine power (Shakti).

Through their vivid storytelling, these texts helped integrate local deities and folk traditions into mainstream Hinduism, thereby shaping the religion’s inclusive and pluralistic character.

Historical and Cultural Influence

The Puranas have profoundly influenced Indian art, architecture, and performing traditions. Temple iconography often draws upon Purāṇic narratives, such as the Dashavatara (ten incarnations of Vishnu) or the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). Classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathakali, as well as regional theatre traditions, depict Purāṇic episodes in dramatic form.
These texts also served as historical records, preserving genealogies of dynasties and regions otherwise lost to history. Scholars have used the Purāṇas to reconstruct aspects of ancient Indian political history, particularly the succession of kings in northern and southern India.
Moreover, the Puranas influenced regional languages and literature, inspiring translations and retellings in Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, and other Indian languages. Their themes continue to shape modern Indian thought, religious practice, and popular culture.

Transmission and Preservation

The Puranas were transmitted primarily through oral tradition, with priests and storytellers (puranikas) reciting and elaborating upon the texts in temple courtyards and village gatherings. This oral tradition ensured the continuous adaptation of the stories, making them accessible to people of varying linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Manuscript versions of the Puranas later proliferated, with numerous regional variations and interpolations. As a result, no two recensions of a Purana are entirely identical, reflecting the living and evolving nature of Hindu religious literature.

Scholarly Interpretation

Modern scholarship views the Puranas as a dynamic synthesis of myth, ritual, and historical consciousness. They bridge the gap between Vedic ritualism and popular devotional religion, embodying India’s transition from early Brahmanical orthodoxy to a more inclusive, narrative-based spirituality.