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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

 

Puraan

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Puraan-Introduction-3 Synopsis of 18 Puraan

(7) Maarkandeya Puraan
This contains the teachings of Maarkandeya to Krowshtuki. The most well known portion of this Puraan is the Durgaa Sapt Shatee or the Devee Mahaatmya. In addition Manvantar etc, it deals with the stories of Harishchandra, Kaartaveerya Arjun etc. Karm and its usefulness and some portions of Yog are also dealt with. In this Puraan, instead of Shiv and Vishnu, other deities like Indra, Agni, Soorya etc are given importance.

(8) Agni Puraan
Agni told this to Vashishth Jee. It contains the descriptions of Raam and Krishn (Raamaayan and Mahaabhaarat) in addition to details about the other Avataar of Vishnu. It also gives rules of worship of various deities, installation of idols in temples, Jyotish, architecture, medicine human physiology and various other such subjects.

(9) Bhavishya Puraan
Some scholars consider the second part of this Puraan as an independent Puraan and call it the Bhavishyottar Puraan. Among the several topics dealt within this Puraan the Shodash Sanskaar, rules for the study of Ved, many kinds of Vrat and Kaamya Karm, Varnaashram Dharm, worship of Soorya and snakes, creation of the Earth and the world, etc. There is a description of the good conduct one must emulate. This Puraan is considered as a pointer and indication of the future and so, it is called the Bhavishya Puraan.

(10) Brahm Vaivart Puraan
Vivart means appearance, and this term is used in the A-Dwait Vedaant. This Puraan is also Krishn-centric. It describes Durgaa, Lakshmee, Saraswatee etc, as evolved from Mool Prakriti as per the desire of Krishn. Shree Krishn Janma Kaand describes the story of Krishn and Raadhaa. There are stories of Shanmukh and Ganesh. There are some mundane subjects also in it, like Aayur Ved, rules for building construction, bathing in Gangaa and its benefits, greatness of Tulasee, code of conduct for women etc.

(11) Ling Puraan
Since this Puraan belongs to Shiv, the five aspects of Shiv - Sadyojaat, Vaam Dev, Tatpurush, Aghor and Eeshaan are described. The story of Shiv appearing as a huge pillar of fire to Vishnu and Brahmaa, stories of Dadheechi, Vyaas Jee, Nandee, Soorya Vansh and Chandra Vansh kings, Kaashee etc, are the others. Shiv's 8 forms, Shiv Panchaaksharee Mantra and the meditation of Shiv after establishing Shiv Ling, the Mrityunjaya Mantra are the other contents.

(12) Varaah Puraan
This Puraan was told by Vishnu to Bhoo Devee in his Varaah Roop. It provides details of the theory of Karm, Shraadh, A-Shauch  (uncleanliness). An important portion of this Puraan is the Nachiketopaakhyaan (the main topic of Kath Upanishad) which deals with Heaven and Hell.

(13) Skand Puraan
This Puraan was originally taught by Shiv  Jee to his consort Paarvatee Jee. It contains many stories. It gives a detailed description of Bhaarat Varsh of those days. In addition to the various forms of Shiv Ling and the meditation thereof, the now famous Satya Naarayan Vrat Kathaa is also described.

(14) Vaaman Puraan
The 17th incarnations of Vishnu - Vaaman Avataar - is described in detail. In addition to it the other deities like Shiv, Ganapati and Soorya are also dealt with. The doctrine of Karm is explained. An important portion of this Puraan is the story of Gajendra Moksh.

(15) Koorm Puraan
This is believed to have been taught by Vishnu in his Koorm Avataar to sage Naarad Jee. It describes the Chaaturvarn and how the Prakriti evolved as the world. Stories of Manu, Daksh, Vaaman Avataar, Yadu Vansh, Kaashee and Prayaag etc are given. It also describes certain Praayashchit and Pralaya also.

(16) Matsya Puraan
This Puraan has been told by Vishnu when he was in His Matsya Avataar. Stories of Kach and Devayaanee, Yayati and Puru, etc, are described. Various Vrat, Daan (donations), holy places and rivers are also mentioned. Even mundane subjects like building construction have also been explained here.

(17) Garud Puraan
We all know that this Puraan is read when some one in the family passes away. It is said that this Puraan was taught by Vishnu Himself to Garud Jee. While the first part deals with stories from the two epics - Mahaabhaarat and Raamaayan - in addition to certain medicines and uses of precious stones etc, the second part deals with the Pret Kalp - the journey of a Jeev after death.
It suggests that Moksh or liberation from the cycle of births and deaths is through devotion to Vishnu only.

(18) Brahmaand Puraan
It deals with creation of Brahmaand (cosmic egg) and description of Bhaarat Varsh. The other contents are about Shraaddh etc in addition to stories of Bhageerath, Parashuraam, Dhanvantari etc. A very important portion of this Puraan is the Lalitopaakhyaan in 40 chapters which includes the famous Lalitaa Sahastra Naam. The whole Puraan is in four parts.

Vaayu Puraan
Gayaa, the famous place known for Shraaddh is described in addition to the details of the Shraaddh ceremonies. The science of musicology is a part of this Puraan. These are in addition to the other usual descriptions of several kings and Rishi etc.

 

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/05
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on 03/14/14