Puranas

"The Puranas" are a vast genre of ancient Indian literature that encompass a wide range of topics, particularly legends and traditional lore. These texts are known for their intricate layers of symbolism and are composed in Sanskrit and other Indian languages. The Puranas are named after major Hindu gods such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma, and they cover diverse subjects including cosmogony, cosmology, genealogies of gods, goddesses, kings, queens, heroes, heroines, sages, folk tales, pilgrimages, temples, medicine, astronomy, grammar, mineralogy, humor, love stories, theology, and philosophy. About the Puranas: The Puranas are considered one of the most ancient Indian literatures about Hinduism, often regarded as the fifth Veda. They provide a vivid description of the history of the universe from creation to destruction, Hindu cosmology, and geography. The Puranas contain narratives of heroes and demigods, genealogies of kings, and detailed accounts of various deities. There are 18 major Puranas (Maha Puranas) and 18 minor Puranas (Upa Puranas), together containing over 400,000 verses. The Puranas have played a significant role in shaping Hinduism by weaving and integrating diverse beliefs into the Vedic-Brahmanic fold. They are revered for their profound philosophical insights and practical guidance for living a righteous life.