Hinduism For All

PURAANAS

If Raamaayana and Mahaabhaarata mark the point of transition from Vedic religion based on sacrifices towards a personalized Godhead, Puraanas gave the concrete foundation to Hinduism as it is mostly practiced today.

These texts in general deal with a variety of topics including nature of creation; Genesis, the series of creations and secondary creations, the Genealogy of the various rulers in various eras (yugas). But their emphasis lay in enumerating the greatness of the personal God, be it Shiva, Vishnu, Devi or others elucidating the salient features concerned with the devotion and worship of the deities.

Traditionally, all the Puraanas, the major one being eighteen in number are said to have been written by Veda Vyaasa himself. They are called the Mahaa Puraanas.

The Eighteen Mahaa Puraanas are :

1) Brahma Puraana

2) Padma Puraana

3) Vishnu Puraana

4) Shiva Puraana

5) Bhaagavata Puraana

6) Naarada Puraana

7) Maarkandeya Puraana

8) Agni Puraana

9) Bhavishya Puraana

10) Brahma Vaivaarta Puraana

11) Linga Puraana

12) Varaaha Puraana

13) Skanda Puraana

14) Vaamana Puraana

15) Koorma Puraana

16) Matsya Puraana

17) Garuda Puraana

18) Brahmanda Puraana

They give us a complete picture about the secrets of the universe and life. The first six seek to present in a comprehensive manner the nuances of creation and their essential understanding, while the next four relate to us the real nature of the created world being ‘Vivarta’ i.e. “presentative/imagined” and not “factual/ real”. The following four Puraanas detail the nature of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation and show us the path to attain salvation. The following two deal with the nature of the worldly beings, their origin, action, knowledge, spiritual practices etc. The penultimate, Garuda in its final section gives a detailed picture of “after-death scenario”. The final Brahmaanda Puraana, talks about the function of the individual in the world according to the results of the actions performed by him.

Thus we see that the unitary text “Puraana” starts with Brahma and ends with Brahma and has Brahmavaivarta in the middle too, thereby emphasising on the fact that though religious ceremonies etc. described in the text ought to be practiced, the underlying wisdom of the spiritual implications of the ceremonies will have to be kept is mind.

Of the eighteen Puraanas mentioned, the most populary read Puraanas are Bhaagavata (both Srimad Bhaagavata as well Devi Bhaagavata) Vishnu, Skanda and Shiva.

Vishnu Puraana :

Considered to be the oldest of the group and is partially authored by Sage Paraashara. This Puraana has been held most authoritative by Sri Shankara, who draws support from it for many of his principles.

Skanda Puraana :

This Puraana assumes significance due to the fact that it contains a very detailed report of the

greatness of the holy cities enshrined in them. It is a storehouse of various hymns addressed to the

deities. The “Kshetra Maahaatmyas” narrate the legend the deity, the nature of worship therein,

connected episodes, salient features regarding the pilgrimage to that Kshetra etc. Kaashi Maahaatmya, Bhadri Maahaatmya, Sethu Maahaatmya, Shaakhambari Maahaatmya, Venkataadri Maahaatmya are just a few amongst the innumerable descriptions. This text is verily a “Guide book for Hindu Pilgrimage”.

Srimad Bhaagavata :

This Puraana assumes a great significance, especially within the Bhakti movement, due to its narration of the exploits of Lord Krishna. This Puraana in twelve chapters called Skandas has

narrated in its tenth skanda, the greatness and sports of Lord Krishna, in all its colours and fashion.

Though there are descriptions of the other incarnations of Vishnu, the presentation of Narasimha and Krishna avatara is the highlight.

This Puraana is held very sacred by Hindus, especially by the Bhaagavata cult and by the followers of the Pushtimarga of Vallabhachaarya and the followers of Chaitanya Mahaaprabhu.

Sri A.C. Bhaktivedaanta Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON who followed the footsteps of Sri Chaitanya, has given this text an universal appeal.

Shiva Puraana :

One of the most important of the eighteen puraanas authored by VedaVyaasa, Shiva Puraana deals exhaustively with the exploits of Lord Shiva. Vaidyishvara Samhita and Rudra Samhita are the two important sections of this Puraanas in which the 12 Jyotirlingas and the 11 Rudra Avataaras are elaborated.

Devi Bhaagavatam :

Considered as a holy text for daily recitation by the Shaktas (worshippers of Shakti), Devi Bhaagavata contains many a narratives of the exploits of Devi, her worship, her incarnations, the holy shrines associated with her etc.

Bhagavad Geeta

This text contains the Gnosis (Knowledge of the Supreme), brought forth by none other than Supreme Lord who incarnated as Krishna. The highest regard for this ‘Gnosis’ apart from the fact that it was revealed by Krishna, lies in its practical approach to decipher the problems of man. The text is also greatly respected due to the authenticity of the facts stated therein. Set in eighteen chapters, the said text is an instruction given to Arjuna by the Lord, in the middle of the battlefield, wherein the Lord shows the path of life and work in the world in the most deligent manner without taking our eyes away from God. Each chapter is named ‘Yoga’ as it shows us the path to ‘Unite’

with the Supreme.

It is considered the nectar which bestows immortality even if practiced in a smaller quantum. Due to the lofty principles, it has been commented by all great philosophers of India like Aadi Shankara, Raamaanuja etc. It also has acceptance in ‘Sufi’ tradition wherein it is known as “Ilim Ludani-va-Tohid”.

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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