Puranas are a different set of scriptures from Vedas and Upanishads. Our ancient scriptures can be broadly categorised into Smritis and Shrutis. Smritis are the texts that were remembered for ages. This category includes Puranas along with Tantras, Shrimad Bhagawad Geeta, Dharma-shastras and our itihaasas such as Ramayana and Mahābhārata. Shrutis are the texts or scriptures which were heard as narration. This includes our 4 Vedas, Vedangas, Upavedas, Upanishads, Brahmanas, Samhitas and Āranyakas.

In my view Puranas from which we will hear stories are the easiest way to understand the Supreme power. These stories bring in the concepts of the Supreme Trinity – Prajapati Brahma – the creator; Vishnu – the protector; and Shiva – the destroyer.

They personified the idea of Brahman and divinity with various interesting stories. It was an excellent medium to familiarize the concept of Brahman with common people as Upanishads and Vedas were technically far superior scriptures in terms of philosophies and thought processes which were difficult for common people to understand. The Puranas brought in the similar ideas but in a story format that was more understandable and interesting for common people.

There are 18 Puranas, and each of them has been attributed to an author or main protagonist of the Purana. Veda Vyasa the author of Mahābhārata is hagiographically credited as the compiler of the Puranas.

The word “Purana” etymologically means “ancient”. The ancient tradition suggests that originally there was only 1 Purana – “Puranasamhita”. Ved Vyasa entrusted his Puranasamhita to his disciple Lomaharshana, who imparted this wealth of knowledge to his disciples including his son Rishi Ugrashrava.

Later on Veda Vyasa systematically compiled the “Puranasamhita” into 18 distinct puranas which cover a wide range of topics, including cosmology, genealogy, mythology, and dharma.

The 18 Puranas are –

1) Brahma Purana

2) Padma Purana

3) Vishnu Purana

4) Shiva Purana

5) Bhagavata Purana

6) Narada Purana

7) Markandeya Purana

8) Agni Purana

9) Bhavishya Purana

10) Brahmavaivarta Purana

11) Linga Purana

12) Varaha Purana

13) Skanda Purana

14) Vamana Purana

15) Kurma Purana

16) Matsya Purana

17) Garuda Purana

18) Brahmanda Purana

These are divided into Shaiva Puranas, Vaishnava Puranas, Shakti Puranas and Brahma Puranas. As the names suggest, a primary deity is attributed to these, and it is said that these puranas are categorised as per the three gunas or qualities, which are inherent in existence.

Sattva – the central deity is Vishnu, and the following puranas are dedicated to him: Vishnu, Bhagavata, Garuda, Narada, Padma, Vamana, Matsya, Kurma, and Varaha

Rajas- the central deity is Brahma and the puranas dedicated to him are Brahma, Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya, and Bhavisya.

Tamas – the central deity is Shiva, and the Puranas which are dedicated to him are - Shiva, Linga,  Skanda, and Agni.

These podcasts are also available on Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesfromUpanishadsPuranas

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