Classification of the major Puranas (Mahapuranas):
Puranas with Lord Vishnu as the Predominating Deity (Sattva Guna):
- Vishnu Purana - 23,000 verses.
Stories of various devotees; a description of varnasrama; the six
angas of the Veda; a description of the age of Kali; description of Sveta-Varaha
Kalpa, Vishnu dharmotara.
- Naradiya Purana - 25,000 verses.
This Purana contains a synopsis of everything; it describes
Jagannatha Puri, Dwaraka, Badrinatha, etc.
- Padma Purana - 55,000 verses.
Contains the glory of Srimad Bhagavatam; the stories of Rama,
Jagannatha, Matsya, Ekadasi, Bhrgu, etc.
- Garuda Purana - 19,000 verses.
Subject of Bhagavad-gita; reincarnation; visnu-sahasra-nama;
description of Tarsya Kalpa.
- Varaha Purana - 24,000 verses.
Describes different vratas; Lord Vishnu's glories.
- Bhagavata Purana - 18,000 verses. (included by some in the mode of goodness)
Puranas with Lord Brahma as the Predominating Deity (Rajo Guna):
- Brahmanda Purana - 12,000 verses.
Describes the vedangas; describes the Adi Kalpa.
- Brahmavaivarta Purana - 18,000 verses.
Contains the glories and pastimes of Radha and Krishna.
- Markandeya Purana - 9,000 verses.
Stories of Rama and Krishna.
- Bhavisya Purana - 14,500 verses.
Contains the glories of devotional service; prediction of Lord Chaitanya.
- Vamana Purana - 10,000 verses.
Contains the story of Lord Trivikrama.
- Brahma Purana - 10,000 verses.
Puranas with Lord Shiva as the
Predominating Deity (Tamo Guna):
- Matsya Purana - 14,000 verses.
Temple construction; describes Vamana and Varaha Kalpas.
- Kurma Purana - 17,000 verses.
Contains the conversation between Krishna and the Sun-god (mentioned
in Bhagavad-gita); Danvantari; Describes the Lakshmi Kalpa.
- Linga Purana - 10,000 verses.
Contains the glory of Lord Nrismhadeva; Janardhana; the story of
Ambarisa; the glories of Gayatri.
- Shiva Purana - 24,000 verses.
- Skanda Purana - 81,000 verses.
- Agni Purana - 15,400 verses.
Contains the description of Salagrama; Describes the Isana Kalpa.
All these Puranas describe five subjects. The Amarakosa (the classical Sanskrit version of Webster 1913) describes the Puranas as follows:
sargas ca pratisarga ca
vamsa manvantarani ca
vamsanu caritam capi
puranam panca laksanam
A Purana describes:
- sarga (creation)
- pratisarga (recreation)
- vamsa (history of the sages)
- manvantara (periods of Manu)
- vamsanucarita (geneology of kings)
<< Back to Hindu Scriptures