Purana - Ancient Indian Literature, Truth and Myth - 2nd part.

                                                     Purana hand written script.


Out of 18 Purana I have selected 6 oldest one. These are - 

1. - Markandaya Purana – 
 

It has 9,000 verses. This purana is named after its writer sage Markandaya, a great Sage. 

This Purana contains chapters on Dharma and on Hindu epic Mahabharata. 

The Purana includes ‘Devi Mahatyamaya ’, it is also known as ‘Durga Saptasati’ the book on ‘Shakti puja’, Prayer of energy, power (Nature Goddess in its 9 look or faces). 

The chapter of this Purana also describes Vindhya Range and western India. 

Probably composed in the Narmada valleys and Tapti River, in MP – Maharashtra border and Gujarat. 

2. – Brahmanda Purana – It has 12,000 verses. 

One of the earliest composed Purana; it contains controversial genealogical details of various dynasties. 

In it one can get law codes, system of governance, administration, diplomacy, trade, and ethics. 

Old manuscripts of Brahmanda Purana have been found in the Hindu literature collections of Bali, Indonesia.

3. – Vayu Purana – In this purana there are 24,000 verses. 

This Purana praises Shiva. 

It also discusses rituals, family life, and life stages of a human being. 

The content in Vayu Purana is also found in Markandaya Purana. 

It has described south India, particularly areas of today’s ‘Telangana and Andhra Pradesh’ regions. 

It also contains controversial genealogical details of various dynasties.

4. – Vishnu Purana - In it there are 23,000 verses. 

This is one of the most studied and circulated Purana. 

It also contains a controversial genealogical detail of various dynasties. 

Better preserved after the 17th century, but exists in inconsistent versions, more ancient pre-15th century versions are very different from modern versions, with some versions discussing Buddhism and Jainism. 

Some chapters likely composed in Kashmir and Punjab region. This purana is a text on Lord Vishnu.

5. – Bhagwat Purana – There are 18,000 verses in this purana.  

The most studied Purana. 

In it there is telling of Vishnu's Avatars (Incarnation, Appearance) and of Vaishnavism.

It contains a controversial genealogical detail of various dynasties.  

It Influenced and elaborated the Bhakti movement and the people of Medieval period when Sanatan or Hindu dharma was in real danger.

6. - Matasaya Purana – It has 14,000 verses.  

This purana is an encyclopaedia of diverse topics.  

It narrates the story of Matasaya, the first of ten major Avatars of Vishnu. 

 Possibly it is composed in west India, by people aware of geographical details of the river Narmada. 

In it there is story about Brahma and Saraswati. It also contains controversial genealogical details of various dynasties.

                                                         End.


Dear reader due to some friends request soon you will get all the 18 Puranas, means rest 12 will be presented before you soon. With thanks and regard.