Introduction to Brahma purana
by Dipavali Debroy-Bibek Debroy
The Puranas are the sacred texts of Hinduism. The Ramayana and Mahabharata
are the two great epics known to all. The Mahabharata states that there are 18
puranas and names three of them – the Markandeya purana, the Vayu purana and
the Matsya purana. In Ramayana there is no mention of the puranas as such but
the word purana has been used several times. This clearly tells us that the composers
of Ramayana and Mahabharata were well versed with the ancient texts.
It is agreed that there are 18 major Puranas and are known as
Mahapuranas. The several minor puranas are referred to as upapuranas. There is
no disagreement with regard to the names of the mahapuranas. The only
disagreement is with the name of the fourth. Some say the fourth is the Vayu
purana while some say it is the Shiva purana . All agree the first purana is
the Brahma purana.
Characteristic features of the puranas:
Any Mahapurana is supposed to have basic five lakshana [characteristics].
The text must describe five subjects. These five subjects are the original
creation of the universe[sarga], the periodical process of destruction and re-creation[pratisarga], the different
eras[manvantara], the histories of the solar dynasty [ surya vamsha] and the
lunar dynasty[ Chandra vamsha] and royal genealogies [vamshanucharita]. The
Brahma purana does describe all these five subjects/elements.
The puranas are associated with the Hindu Trinity- Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva. Brahma is regarded as the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the
destroyer. These three important gods are glorified in the puranas.Their
relative emphasis might vary from text to text. The puranas which gives
importance to Vishnu will talk about his incarnation [avatara] and they are
termed as Sattvika purana.. The puranas that gives importance and describe the
creation in depth are called as Rajasika purana and are associated with Brahma.
Finally the Tamasika purana tells about how a devotee should practise a lot of
norms and rituals ,these are to be associated with Shiva.
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