| Puran |
Contains
two parts- Purva Bhaag and Uttar Bhaag. Purva Bhaag contains tales of creation,
description of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.
Uttar Bhaag contains a detailed description of Purshottam Tirtha prominent among
all the holy places.
Contains
five parts. In the first part, sage Pulastya explains the essence of religion to
Bheeshma. The second part contains a description of the earth. Third part
contains tales of creation as well as geographical description of India. Fourth
part describes the life of Lord Rama. In the fifth part, essential knowledge of
religion has been discussed in dialogue style between Lord Shiva and Parvati.
3.Vishnu Purana
Also
contains five parts. First part narrates about the creation of the universe,
Pralay and churning of the sea. Second part contains geographical description of
earth divided into seven islands. Third part describes about the origin of
Buddhism. Fourth part contains a description about the populating of the earth
from the beginning. Fifth part is entirely devoted to the life and plays of Lord
Krishna.
It
is the largest Purana. It is mainly devoted to Kartikeya (Skanda), the son of
Lord Shiva and Parvati. Besides, it contains a lot of tales related to Lord Shiv
and many holy places of pilgrimage devoted prominently to Shiv.
It
is also a huge compilation of tales devoted primarily to the life and plays of
Lord Shiva. It is divided into seven Samhitas, which together contain more than
twenty-four thousand stanzas.
This
Purana is entirely devoted to Vaman avtaar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu narrated
in dialogue style between the sage Pulastya and Narad.
Markandeya
Purana begins with a question put forth by sage Jaimini. In reply to this
question, sage Markandeya narrates what constitutes the subject matter of this
Purana.
8.
Varaha Puran
It
contains the tale of rescue of the earth by ‘Varaha’ avtaar (boar
incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.
9. Brahma Puran
This
Purana contains four parts. First part contains the tale of creation. Second
part contains tales related to goddesses. Third part contains tales related to
Lord Ganesh. In the fourth part, tales related to the life and plays of Lord
Krishna have been given.
This
Purana is devoted to Agni. It is presented in preaching style by Agni to sage
Vashishta. It contains the description of various incarnations of God, Lord Rama
and Krishna as well as of the earth and stars.
This
Purana contains five Parvas (parts). The first part contains description of
creation. Second, third and fourth parts contain detailed description of Lord
Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Surya respectively. In the fifth part, description of
heaven has been given.
Lord
Himself has narrated this Purana in Kurma (tortoise) incarnation to Narad. Narad
narrated it to Sutaji who in his term narrated it to an assembly of great sages.
Tales
of Lord’s fish incarnation and preservation of Manu and the seeds of all life
during Pralay by Matsya avtaar is the main theme of this Purana.
In
Garuda Purana, Lord Vishnu preaches his vehicle, Garuda about the subtleties of
religion and life. Besides, trivial tales related to religion and moral, this
Purana also contains description of diamond like jewels and the ways to identify
best kind of jewels.
It
is the last of the eighteen Puranas. Presently it is available in different
pieces and no connection seems to exist between them. Once, it had contained
Aadhyatma Ramayana.
Because
of its beautiful presentation style, Shrimad Bhagwat Purana has a high rank in
Sanskrit literature. It contains tales related to various incarnations of Lord
Vishnu and mainly deals with the life and plays of Lord Krishna.
Preaching
about the glory of Lord Shiva and Linga Puja is the main objective of this
Purana. In two parts, this Purana contains tales related to the creation of the
universe, origin of Linga, and of all the Vedas, Brahma, Vishnu etc. from this
Linga.
It
is a Vaishnav Purana presented in a style of dialogue between Narad and Sanat
kumar. This Purana contains detailed description of major places of pilgrimage.