INTRODUCTION :
Puranas are ancient devotional texts, written by the great sage Veda Vyasa, and it covers the importance of various deities like Vinayaka, Muruga, Shiva and Parvati. In the eighteen Puranas, various devotional stories are also covered. It was written in Sanskrit, and later it was translated in many Indian languages, and Puranas help us to know about the ancient history of various gods and goddesses, sages and saints.
In the Puranas, the details about various kings, queens and demi gods are also mentioned. Various famous temples like Kasi, Badrinath and Kedarnath are also included in the holy texts. It also tells us about the chastity of the Rishi’s wives like Anusuya, Arunthathi and Renuka. Details about the, devas like Indra, and the worshipful demons like Prahalada, Namasu and Mahabali are also mentioned.
Puranas are highly influential in Hinduism, and the significance of Hindu deities and Hindu festivals can be known by reading the Puranas. Among the various Puranas, the Bhagavata Purana is considered as the most popular Bhakti text in Hinduism, since it focuses on the sweetness of Lord Krishna, about his powers, kindness shown on his devotees and about his divine touch with his sincere devotees. Bhagavata Purana had attained a high level of influence in the Hindu literature, due to the great efforts of Sri Madhwacharya, founder of the Madhwa sect, and an incarnation of Vayu Bhagavan.
We can know about the powers of the first god Lord Vinayaka, by studying the Vinayaka Purana, and also about the divine beauty of his brother Muruga. According to Vinayaka Purana, Lord Vinayaka holds the entire universe on his stomach, and according to Muruga Purana, Lord Muruga holds the entire universe on his two eyes. Similarly all the other deities are also having the entire universe on their body. Likewise lot of details can be gathered by studying the holy eighteen puranas.
Puranas cannot be considered as imaginary, and the stories are written only after getting the approval of the almighty. The Puranas are accepted by the great rishis also, and after the completion of Puranas, the divine devas had showered flowers on the holy scripts.
Hence let us make the regular habit of reading Puranas either in our homes, or in the temples, and be blessed.
“OM SRI GANESAYA NAMAHA”
SENT BY
R.HARISHANKAR
