MAHA PURANAS - INTRODUCTION : 3.
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10/10/2019
Introduction : 3.
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Of the many texts designated 'Puranas' the most important are the Mahapuranas or the major Puranas.
These are said to be 18 in number,
divided into three groups of six,
though they are not always counted in the same way.
Agni Purana: 15,400 verses. Contains encyclopedic information. Includes geography of Mithila (Bihar and neighboring states), cultural history, politics, education system, iconography, taxation theories, organization of army, theories on proper causes for war, 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.
Bhagavata Purana: 18,000 verses. The most studied and popular of the Puranas, telling of Vishnu's Avatars, and of Vaishnavism. It contains a controversial genealogical details of various dynasties. Numerous inconsistent versions of this text and historical manuscripts exist, in many Indian languages. Influential and elaborated during Bhakti movement.
Brahma Purana: 10,000 verses. Sometimes also called Adi Purana, because many Maha Puranas lists put it first of 18. The text has 245 Chapters, shares many passages with Vishnu, Vayu, and Markendeya Puranas, and with the Mahabharata. Includes 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.
Brahmanda Purana: 12,000 verses. One of the earliest composed Puranas, it contains a controversial genealogical details of various dynasties. Includes Lalita Sahasranamam, law codes, system of governance, administration, diplomacy, trade, ethics. Old manuscripts of Brahmanda Purana have been found in the Hindu literature collections of Bali, Indonesia.
Brahmavaivarta Purana: 17,000 verses. Discusses Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Devis, Vishnu, Krishna and Radha. Primarily mythology, love and seduction stories of gods and goddesses. Mentions geography and rivers such as Ganga to Kaveri.
To be continued ...
=======================================================================
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/10/2019
Introduction : 3.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of the many texts designated 'Puranas' the most important are the Mahapuranas or the major Puranas.
These are said to be 18 in number,
divided into three groups of six,
though they are not always counted in the same way.
Agni Purana: 15,400 verses. Contains encyclopedic information. Includes geography of Mithila (Bihar and neighboring states), cultural history, politics, education system, iconography, taxation theories, organization of army, theories on proper causes for war, 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.
Bhagavata Purana: 18,000 verses. The most studied and popular of the Puranas, telling of Vishnu's Avatars, and of Vaishnavism. It contains a controversial genealogical details of various dynasties. Numerous inconsistent versions of this text and historical manuscripts exist, in many Indian languages. Influential and elaborated during Bhakti movement.
Brahma Purana: 10,000 verses. Sometimes also called Adi Purana, because many Maha Puranas lists put it first of 18. The text has 245 Chapters, shares many passages with Vishnu, Vayu, and Markendeya Puranas, and with the Mahabharata. Includes 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.
Brahmanda Purana: 12,000 verses. One of the earliest composed Puranas, it contains a controversial genealogical details of various dynasties. Includes Lalita Sahasranamam, law codes, system of governance, administration, diplomacy, trade, ethics. Old manuscripts of Brahmanda Purana have been found in the Hindu literature collections of Bali, Indonesia.
Brahmavaivarta Purana: 17,000 verses. Discusses Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Devis, Vishnu, Krishna and Radha. Primarily mythology, love and seduction stories of gods and goddesses. Mentions geography and rivers such as Ganga to Kaveri.
To be continued ...
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