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Puraan | Introduction-2

1-Brahm Puraan2-Padm Puraan3-Vishnu Puraan4-Shiv Puraan5-Bhaagvat Puraan,
6-Naarad Puraan7-Maarkandeya Puraan8-Agni Puraan9-Bhavishya Puraan,
10-Brahm Vaivart Puraan11-Ling Puraan12-Varaah Puraan13-Skand Puraan,
14-Vaaman Puraan15-Koorm Puraan16-Matsya Puraan17-Garud Puraan18-Brahmaand Puraan

 

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Puraan-Introduction-2 - Synopsis of 18 Puraan

(1) The Brahm Puraan
"That, the whole of which was repeated by Brahmaa Jee to his son Mareechi, is called Brahm Puraan. It contains 10,000 verses." In all the lists of the Puranas, the Brahma is placed at the head of the series, and is thence sometimes also entitled the Aadi or "First" Puraan. It is also designated as the Saur as its great part is dedicated to the worship of Soorya. There are, however, works bearing these names which belong to the class of Upa-Puraan, and which are not to be confounded with the Brahm. Although Brahm Puraan should have 10, 000 Shlok, but the actual number found is only 7,000-8,000. There is a supplementary or concluding section called the Brahmottar Puraan which is different from a portion of Skand Puraan called "Brahmottar Khand" which contains approximately 3,000 verses; but surely it is a different and unconnected work.

The immediate narrator of the Brahm Puraan is Lomharshan (Soot Jee), who recites it to the Rishi or sages assembled at Naimish Aranya. According to Matsya Puraan it was originally revealed by Brahmaa to Daksh, not to Mareechi.

As all Puraan's characteristics are, this Puraan also gives the description of the creation, an account of the Manvantar, and the history of the solar and lunar dynasties up to the time of Krishn, in brief, a brief description of the Universe; relates the holiness of Orissa, with its temples and sacred groves dedicated to the Sun at Konaark , to Shiv, and especially of Jagannaath, at Puree, and Bhuvaneshwar are described. This section promotes the worship of Krishn as Jagannaath, so account of His life is also given. This account is word for word the same as that of the Vishnu Puraan. Story of Daksh's sacrifice, description of certain Avataar like VaraahAvataar, Narasinh Avataar etc, are the otherones dealt with in this. It also deals with creation of the world and description of the sapta dveepas.and in the end is given the particular detail of the mode of Yog in which it is to be performed.

There is little in this which corresponds with the definition of a Pancha-Lakshan Puraan; and the mention of the temples of Orissa, the date of their original construction shows that it could not have been compiled earlier than the 13th or 14th century. The Uttar Khand of the Brahm Puraan describes the character of a Mahaatmya in its entirety.

(2) The Padm Puraan
Padm Puraan contains an account of the period when the world was a Padm. It contains 55,000 verses. The second Puraan in the list is a voluminous work. These 55,000 verses are divided into five books or Khand; (1) Srishti Khand - Creation; (2) Bhoomi Khand - description of the Earth; (3) Swarg Khand - Heaven; (4) Paataal Khand - regions below the Earth; and (5) Uttar Khand - last chapter. It contains several Sahastra Naam.

Its Srishti Khand, the creation, is narrated by Ugrashravaa Soot Jee, the son of Lomharshan Lomharshan sent him to the Rishi at Naimish Aranya to recite them this Puraan, in which Brahmaa appeared in the beginning of the Creation. Soot Jee repeated what Brahmaa Jee told Pulastya Jee and Pulastya Jee told Bheeshm. The early chapters narrate the cosmogony, and the genealogy of the patriarchal families, in the same style and in the same words, as Vishnu Puraan; and short accounts of the Manvantar and regal dynasties, then the Mahaatmya of the lake Pushkar in Ajamer, as a place of pilgrimage.

The Bhoomi Khand defers any description of the Earth in 127 chapters with mixed description of ancient and common to other Puraan and more devoted to Teerth  either in the form of a person or place where actual pilgrimages may be performed.

The Swarg Khand describes in the first chapters the relative positions of the Lok, placing above all Vaikunth, the Vishnu Lok. Description of some of the most celebrated princes, rules of conduct for various castes, and at different stages of life. The rest is devoted to Daksh's Yagya and others, original and modern.

The Paataal Khand gives a brief introduction to the description of Paataal, the regions of the snake-gods. Shesh Jee, who has succeeded Pulastya Jee as his spokesman, narrates the history of Raam, based on the poem of Kaalidaas, the Raghu Vansh. But the adventures of the horse sent by Raam for His Ashwamedh Yagya seems to be original. It runs through many chapters. Surprisingly enough when the horse is about to be sacrificed, he turns out to be a Braahman, condemned by the Shaap of Durvaasaa. He is sanctified by the connection with Raam, is released from his horse body, and goes to Heaven as a spirit of light. After this comes the praises of Shree Mad-Bhaagavat Puraan, an account of Krishn's childhood activities, and the merits of worshipping Vishnu. This description seems to be borrowed from the Tantra - told by Sadaashiv to Paarvatee Jee.

The Uttar Khand is the most voluminous collection of very heterogeneous matters, but it leans  consistently on Vaishnav ideas. First it discusses a dialog between king Dileep and the Muni Vashishth; such as the merits of Maagh Snaan, the power of the Mantra, the prayer to Lakshmee Naaraayan. Shiv explains to Paarvatee the nature of Bhakti, faith in Vishnu, Vishnu's Avataar, especially of Raam, about the construction of images of Vishnu. The dialogue returns to the king and the sage; and the sage tells him that why Vishnu is the only one of the triad entitled to respect - Shiva being licentious, Brahmaa arrogant, and Vishnu alone is pure. Vashishth then repeats the Mahaatmya of the Bhagvad Geetaa; the merit of each book of which is illustrated by legends of the good consequences to individuals from perusing or hearing it. Other Vaishnav Mahaatmya occupy considerable portions of this Khand, especially the Kaarttik Mahaatmya illustrated by stories, some of early origin, but others are modern and original to  this Puraan.

The different portions of the Padm Puraan come from many different works, neither of which touches the original definition of a Puraan. They don't seem to related to antiquity. They specify the Jains both by name and practices.; they talk of Mlechchh, 'barbarians,' flourishing in India; they commend the use of the frontal and other Vaishnav marks; and discuss other subjects which are not of the remote origin. The Paataal Khand is heavily based upon the Bhaagvat Puraan, thus seems posterior to it. The Uttar Khand is totally Vaishnav, and thus is unquestionably modern, such as the description about the Shaalgraam stones and Tulasee plant, the use of the Tapt-mudraa, or stamping with a hot iron the name of Vishnu on the skin. It names Haripur also on the Tungbhadraa River which is the city of Vijayanagar, founded in the middle of the 14th century. No portion of the Padm Puraan seems older than the 12th century, and the last parts may be as recent as the 15th or 16th centuries.

(3) Vishnu Puraan
In addition to the other usual descriptions of creation, there are stories of Dhruv, Prahlaad, Kali Dosh is also dealt with. The stories of Raam and Krishn are also described. It is important to note that Vishnu here is not one of the Tri-Moorti, but the origin of all the three - the Par Brahm (Mahaa Vishnu). Bhakti Maarg is given utmost importance.

(4) Shiv Puraan
Shiv Puraan

(5) Bhaagvat Puraan
Shree Mad-Bhaagvat Puraan is the most well known and popular Puraan of all the Puraan. Sage Shuk Dev Jee tells the story of Krishn to King Pareekshit. Although it contains stories of the other Avataar of Vishnu also, but the emphasis is on the life of Krishn. It explains the cosmic form of God and how the universe is created; the story of Jaya and Vijaya and how they had to take three births as Hiranyakashyap and Hiranyaaksh etc, the story of Prahlaad’s devotion, story of Kapil Jee, Daksh Yagya and its destruction by Rudra, stories of Dhruv, Jad Bharat, Stories of Gangaavataran, Tripur Sanhaar, Samudra Manthan etc. Krishn Avataar details are found in the 10th Skandh and the 11th Skandh contains the famous Uddhav Geetaa. There is a vivid description of the present Kali Yug. There are a number of commentaries on this Puraan.

(6) Naarad Puraan
Naarad Jee told this Puraan to Sanak Jee and other Rishi. Religious rites, devotion to God, duties of people of each Varn and Aashram are detailed. There is a different unpopular version of Lalitaa Sahastra Naam can be found here. Fasting on Ekaadashee of each Paksha of the month and its benefits are given.

Synopsis of 18 Puraan Contd...

 

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/05
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Updated on 06/01/13