Dharmo rakshati rakshitah (Dharma protects those who protect it)
The Puranas
A compact, English-only version of
the Major 18 Puranas in one document
(overview of 18 Upa-Puranas,
and 28 additional Puranas - TBD)
Issue 1, Draft 1
Compiled by the Dharmic Scriptures Team
October 3, 2002
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come from every side) – Rg Veda
Vishva Dharma ki Jay! (Victory to Universal Dharma!)
Index:
Introduction 26
Sources: 27
1 Brahma Purana 28
1.1 Lord Brahma 28
1.1.1 A Profile of Brahmaji 28
1.1.2 Scriptural Appearance of Brahmaji 28
1.1.3 Four Heads of Brahmaji 28
1.1.4 White Beard of Brahmaji 28
1.1.5 Swan as a Vehicle 28
1.1.6 Purpose of Holding Vedas 28
1.1.7 Rosary in Second Hand 29
1.1.8 Kamandalu (Coconut Shell Bowl) 29
1.1.9 Seat of the Lotus 29
1.2 Goddess Sarasvati 29
1.2.1 Appearance of Sarasvati 29
1.2.2 Significance of Book and Veena (Lyre) 29
1.2.3 Beaded Rosary 29
1.3 Lord Vishnu 30
1.3.1 Appearance of Lord Vishnu 30
1.3.2 Reflection of Scriptural Appearance 30
1.3.3 Scientific Depiction of Vishnu’s Appearance 30
1.3.4 Why does Lord Vishnu rest on Sheshanaga? 30
1.3.5 Why is Lotus in the Navel? 30
1.3.6 Why does Vishnu stay in the Sea of Milk? 30
1.3.7 Reason for holding the Wheel 31
1.3.8 Reason for holding the Conch 31
1.3.9 Purpose of Kaustubhamani 31
1.3.10 Why does Lord Vishnu hold a Mace? 31
1.3.11 Why is Garuda (Eagle) the Vehicle of Vishnu? 31
1.4 Goddess Laxmi 31
1.4.1 Why Goddess Laxmi presses the feet of God? 31
1.4.2 Reason for Liquidity of Laxmi 31
1.4.3 Why is the owl the vehicle of Laxmi? 32
2 Padma Purana 33
2.1 Shrishtikhand 33
2.1.1 The Beginning of Creation 33
2.1.2 Lord Brahma’s Life-Span and the Chronological Order of the ‘Eras’ 34
2.1.3 The Four Prominent Castes 35
2.1.4 The Manifestations of Goddess Laxmi 35
2.1.5 Sati gives up her Life 36
2.1.6 The Origin of Deities, Demons and Serpents 36
2.1.7 The Origin of Marudganas 37
2.1.8 King Prithu and the Surya Dynasty 38
2.1.9 Bashkali, the Demon king 39
2.1.10 Sri Ram kills Shambuk 39
2.1.11 Manifestation of Ganesh & Kartikeya 40
2.1.12 An Ideal Brahmin and the Significance of the Gayatri Mantra 40
2.1.13 A Brahmin’s Livelihood 41
2.1.14 Narottam – The Brahmin 42
2.1.15 The Significance of Rudraksha, Amla & Tulsi 43
2.1.16 The Importance of Surya’s Worship 43
2.2 Bhumikhand 44
2.2.1 Different Types of Sin and Virtue 44
2.2.2 King Yayati propagates Vaishnava-Dharma 44
2.2.3 Yayati marries Ashrubindumati 44
2.2.4 Kunjal – The Enlightened Parrot 45
2.2.5 Kunjal Preaches Vijjwal 45
2.2.6 Kunjal Narrates about his Previous Birth 46
2.3 Swargakhand 46
2.3.1 Some Prominent Holy Places in Bharat-Varsha 46
2.3.2 Jambubarg, River Narmada, Amarkantak 47
2.3.3 ‘Dharma-Teertha’ & Yamuna-Snan 47
2.3.4 Kashipuri, Kapardishwar & Gaya 48
2.3.5 Puranas – The Embodiment of Sri Hari 48
2.4 Patalkhand 48
2.4.1 Sheshnag narrates the Tales of Sri Rama’s Return from Lanka 48
2.4.2 Ravana – The Mighty Demon 49
2.4.3 Agastya Advises Sri Rama to Perform Ashvamedhya Yagya 49
2.4.4 The Horse is Let Loose 50
2.4.5 Lav Fastens the Horse 50
2.4.6 Lav Vanquishes the Whole Army 50
2.4.7 Lav Becomes Unconscious 50
2.4.8 The Army Returns to Ayodhya 51
2.4.9 Sri Rama sends Laxman to br...
JagadanandaPanditaDas