Purana facts for kids
In the ancient Sanskrit language, a Purana means a "story of ancient times." For Hindu people, Puranas are special books that share tales from long ago. These stories teach about history, old Indian traditions, and what Hindus believe. They are like a collection of myths, legends, and teachings that help people understand their faith and culture.
Contents
What are Puranas?
Puranas are important religious texts in Hinduism. They are written in Sanskrit and cover many topics. You can find stories about gods and goddesses, kings and heroes, and even how the universe was created. They also explain Hindu ideas about life, duty, and how to live well.
These texts are not just old stories; they also include:
- Lessons on how to live a good life
- Descriptions of Hindu festivals and ceremonies
- Information about different gods and goddesses, like Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi
- Details about holy places and pilgrimages
There are many Puranas, and they are usually grouped into two main types: the Mahapuranas (Great Puranas) and the Upapuranas (Minor Puranas).
The Great Puranas (Mahapuranas)
The word "Mahapurana" means "Great Story of Ancient Times" in Sanskrit. There are 18 main Mahapuranas, and each one focuses on different gods or topics. They are very long, with thousands of verses! Here are some of the most well-known ones:
- Agni Purana (about 15,400 verses)
- Bhagavata Purana (about 18,000 verses) - This one is very popular and tells many stories about Krishna.
- Bhavishya Purana (about 14,500 verses)
- Brahma Purana (about 24,000 verses)
- Brahmanda Purana (about 12,000 verses) - This Purana includes the Lalita Sahasranamam, which is a prayer recited by some Hindus.
- Brahmavaivarta Purana (about 18,000 verses)
- Garuda Purana (about 19,000 verses) - This Purana talks about life after death and rituals.
- Harivamsa (about 16,000 verses) - Sometimes seen as part of the epic Mahabharata.
- Kurma Purana (about 17,000 verses)
- Linga Purana (about 11,000 verses)
- Markandeya Purana (about 9,000 verses) - This Purana contains the Devi Mahatmyam, an important text for those who worship the goddess Devi.
- Matsya Purana (about 14,000 verses)
- Narada Purana (about 25,000 verses)
- Padma Purana (about 55,000 verses) - This is one of the longest Puranas.
- Shiva Purana (about 24,000 verses) - This Purana focuses on the god Shiva.
- Skanda Purana (about 81,100 verses) - This is the longest Purana.
- Vamana Purana (about 10,000 verses)
- Varaha Purana (about 10,000 verses)
- Vayu Purana (about 24,000 verses)
- Vishnu Purana (about 23,000 verses) - This Purana focuses on the god Vishnu.
Why are Puranas Important?
Puranas are important because they help Hindus understand their religion and culture. They make complex ideas easier to grasp through stories. They also:
- Teach moral values and good behavior.
- Explain the meaning behind Hindu festivals and traditions.
- Inspire art, music, and dance, like the Bharata Natyam dance form.
- Help preserve ancient knowledge and beliefs.
Many Hindu temples and artworks are inspired by the stories found in the Puranas. For example, the famous Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) myth, which tells how gods and demons worked together to get a special elixir, is found in the Puranas. You can see this story shown in places like the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia and at the airport in Bangkok, Thailand.
Images for kids
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The Puranas include cosmos creation myths such as the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). It is represented in the Angkor Wat temple complex of Cambodia, and at Bangkok airport, Thailand (above).
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An 11th-century Nepalese palm-leaf manuscript in Sanskrit of Devimahatmya (Markandeya Purana).
See also
In Spanish: Purana para niños
