Mahapuranas

The Mahapuranas are a large corpus of Sanskrit literature consisting of eighteen major Puranas, considered foundational texts in Hinduism. These texts are encyclopedic in nature, encompassing a wide range of subjects including cosmology, mythology, genealogies of gods, goddesses, kings, and sages, as well as chapters on dharma, philosophy, and medicine. The Mahapuranas are traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa, who is also credited with compiling the Vedas and authoring the Mahabharata.

The eighteen Mahapuranas are: Agni, Bhagavata, Bhavishya, Brahmanda, Brahma Vaivarta, Garuda, Harivamsa, Kurma, Linga, Markandeya, Matsya, Narada, Padma, Shiva, Skanda, Vamana, Vishnu, and Vayu. Each Mahapurana is associated with a primary deity, such as Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi, and elaborates on their respective glories and stories. They are further categorized into three classes based on their dominant deity: Sattvic (Vishnu-centric), Rajasic (Brahma-centric), and Tamasic (Shiva-centric), although this classification is not universally agreed upon.

The narratives within the Mahapuranas often recount the exploits of deities, demons, and humans, serving as a means of imparting religious and moral teachings. They play a significant role in Hindu devotional practices, providing stories and legends that inspire faith and understanding of divine principles. The dating of the Mahapuranas is complex, with scholars suggesting a long period of composition and revision, generally placing their core content between the 4th and 10th centuries CE. They are considered to be of significant historical and cultural importance, reflecting the evolving religious landscape of ancient and medieval India.