SHRI
NARAD PURAN - INTRODUCTION
Vedas are regarded as
the oldest scriptures in the entire known history of human civilization. Even
the Vedas speak about Puranas. A shloka in Matsya Purana speaks-
PURAANAM
SARVASHASTRAANAAM PRATHAMAM BRAHMANAA SMRITAM ANANTARAM CHA VAKTREBHYO
VEDAASTASYA VINIRGATAH
Brahma recalled about
Puranas even before starting the creation of other scriptures. Vedas emerged
thereafter from his mouth.
It clearly shows the
antiquity of Puranas.
There are in all
eighteen Puranas. Among them, Narad Purana is perhaps the most significant as it
has been created by none other than the sage Narad.
NARDOKTAM PURAANAM
TU NAARDIYAM PRACHACHHATE
Meaning- Narad Purana is
what emerged from the lips of Maharshi Narad. Initially, it had a collection of
about twenty-five thousand stanzas. But, the currently available version of
Narad Purana contains not more than twenty-two thousand stanzas.
The whole content of
Narad Purana has been divided into two parts. The first part contains four
chapters which include dialogue between Suta and Shaunak, origin of the
universe, salvation, birth of Shukadev, training of the mantras, worship
rituals, provisions and the results of the various fasts observed on particular
days in particular months. The second part contains beautiful tales related to
various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, depiction and significance of pilgrimage
centers and performing pilgrimage.