Devi Bhagavata Purana: The Sacred Text of the Goddess The Devi Bhagavata Purana (देवि भागवत) is one of the major Puranas dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother, Devi (the Goddess). This Purana glorifies the Goddess in her various forms, particularly as Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Parvati, who represent wealth, wisdom, and power respectively. The text is regarded as a cornerstone of the Shakta tradition, which centers on the worship of Devi as the supreme deity. Content and Structure The Devi Bhagavata Purana contains 18,000 hymns, divided into 12 books (Skandhas) and 318 chapters. Each chapter recounts stories, hymns, and …
The Mahabharata (महाभारत) is the longest epic in any language. Tradition has it that it was composed by the sage Vyasa, who dictated it to Lord Ganapati, who was the only person who could write it down as fast as the sage could compose it. Structure It is divided into eighteen books of varying lengths. Here are the names of the books and the number of sections in each. The notation for citations is [Maha:Book.Chapter]. The first verse of the Mahabharata reads: नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत् translated by Shri. Kisari Mohan Ganguli as: Om! Having bowed down …
The Ramayana (रामायण) is an epic poem, composed by the sage Valmiki. It is the first epic of Hinduism, the other being the Mahabharata. You can find the condensed version of the Ramayana on this site. Structure This poem contains 24,000 verses, divided into six books, called Kandas, which mean ‘phases’ in Sanskrit. They are: The format for citing the Ramayana is [Rama:Book.Chapter.Verse] The very first verse of this epic is: तपः स्वाध्याय निरतम् तपस्वी वाग्विदाम् वर।नारदम् परिपरच्छ वाल्मीकिः मुनि पुंगवम् ॥ The Story Ramayana literally means, ‘the journey of Rama’. This poem narrates the story of Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Asuras had become all …
The Bhagavata Purana (भागवत पुराण), also called the Srimad Bhagavatam, extolls the virtues of Lord Vishnu as the supreme personality of the Godhead. It is one of the chief Vaishnavaite Puranas. It was composed by the sage Vyasa. It is divided into 335 chapters, organized into 12 Cantos. The Cantos are: The above Canto headings are taken from www.srimadbhagavatam.org, which also features a good translation of this Purana. This Purana is narrated by sage Suta to other sages assembled in the forest of Naimsaranya during a great (thousand-year) sacrifice being conducted there. Canto 1 The sages ask Suta to narrate the glory of Vishnu of his incarnation as Krishna and of how …
Vishnu Purana: The Glorification of Lord Vishnu and the Cosmos The Vishnu Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas in Hinduism and is considered one of the most important texts dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. This Purana offers a comprehensive view of the creation, preservation, and destruction of the cosmos, while highlighting the role of Vishnu in maintaining cosmic order. It is not just a mythological text but also a guide to living a life aligned with dharma (righteousness) and devotion (bhakti). Content and Structure The Vishnu Purana is divided into six books (amsas), each …
Vishnu Purana: The Glorification of Lord Vishnu and the Cosmos The Vishnu Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas in Hinduism and is considered one of the most important texts dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. This Purana offers a comprehensive view of the creation, preservation, and destruction of the cosmos, while highlighting the role of Vishnu in maintaining cosmic order. It is not just a mythological text but also a guide to living a life aligned with dharma (righteousness) and devotion (bhakti). Content and Structure The Vishnu Purana is divided into six books (amsas), each …
Garuda Purana: The Purana of the Afterlife and Sacred Knowledge The Garuda Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas in Hinduism and is unique for its focus on the afterlife, spiritual liberation (moksha), and the journey of the soul after death. Named after Garuda, the divine eagle who serves as the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, this Purana contains a dialogue between Vishnu and Garuda, where various topics ranging from cosmology, rituals, ethics, and the consequences of karma are discussed in detail. Content and Structure The Garuda Purana covers an extensive range of subjects, with a particular emphasis on the …
Skanda Purana: The Purana Dedicated to Lord Skanda (Kartikeya) The Skanda Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas in Hinduism, and it is primarily focused on Skanda, also known as Kartikeya or Murugan, the god of war and the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. As the commander of the celestial army, Skanda is revered for his bravery and leadership in the fight against demons. This Purana not only narrates the birth and heroic deeds of Skanda but also covers a vast range of topics related to mythology, cosmology, sacred geography, and religious practices. Content and Structure The …
Kurma Purana: The Tortoise Avatar of Vishnu The Kurma Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas in Hinduism and is centered around the Kurma avatar of Lord Vishnu, where he takes the form of a giant tortoise to support Mount Meru during the churning of the ocean of milk (Samudra Manthan). This Purana not only narrates the famous Kurma avatar story but also covers a broad range of topics including cosmology, mythology, dharma, and religious practices. Content and Structure The Kurma Purana is a diverse text that encompasses various subjects, from the mythological tale of Vishnu’s tortoise incarnation to …
Markandeya Purana: The Purana of Shiva and Eternal Devotion The Markandeya Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas in Hindu literature, although it is not exclusively focused on Shiva. It contains a wide range of stories, including some centered around Shiva, but it is also famous for narrating the life and devotion of the sage Markandeya, from whom the text derives its name. The Purana is unique for its blend of mythology, cosmology, and devotion, with a strong emphasis on both the power of devotion (bhakti) and the cyclical nature of time. Content and Structure The Markandeya Purana is …