purana

Purana refers to a genre of Hindu sacred literature characterized by myth, legend, cosmology, and devotional instruction. The term purana means ancient or old, and these texts constitute part of Smriti, the remembered tradition, in contrast with Shruti, the revealed Vedas. Traditionally, a standard collection comprises 18 Mahapuranas (great Puranas) and numerous minor Puranas. The Puranas were composed primarily in Sanskrit, with later vernacular versions across the Indian subcontinent.

Content and structure: Puranas narrate cosmology, the creation and dissolution of the universe, genealogies of kings and sages, and stories of deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi. They commonly present avatars and exploits of gods to illustrate dharma, bhakti, and moral instruction. The texts blend myth, theology, ritual guidance, pilgrimage guides, and sacred geography, and they are often framed as dialogues or retellings by sages like Vyasa. Among the best known are the Bhagavata Purana, which emphasizes Vishnu devotion; and the Vishnu Purana and Shiva Purana, which center on their respective deities.

Historical perspective and influence: The dating and authorship of Puranas span several centuries, with compositions from roughly the early centuries CE to the medieval period. They exhibit doctrinal and regional diversity, reflecting Vaishnava, Shaiva, and Shakta strands as well as local traditions. In addition to religious instruction, Puranas have shaped ritual practice, temple worship, festival calendars, and sacred geography, and they remain important sources for the study of Hindu mythology, culture, and literature.