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மஹா புராணங்கள்

Mahapuranas are a group of eighteen ancient Hindu texts that are considered highly authoritative in Hindu theology and philosophy. These texts are an important part of Hindu literature and serve as a source of mythological, religious, and cultural knowledge. The Mahapuranas primarily focus on cosmology, mythology, genealogy, and the moral and religious duties of different classes and stages of life.

மஹா புராணங்கள் (Maha Puranas) என்பது இந்து சமயத்தின் புனித நூல்களின் தொகுப்பாகும். இவை பத்தொன்பது முக்கிய புராணங்களை உள்ளடக்கியவை. மஹா புராணங்கள் நான்கு முக்கிய அம்சங்களை உள்ளடக்குகின்றன: தத்துவம், வழிபாடு, விவசாயம், இதிகாசங்கள், மற்றும் கலைகள்.

பிரம்ம புராணம்

பத்ம புராணம்

விஷ்ணு புராணம்

சிவமகா புராணம்

லிங்க புராணம்

கருட புராணம்

நாரத புராணம்

பாகவத புராணம்

அக்னி புராணம்

கந்த புராணம்

பவிஷ்ய புராணம்

பிரம வைவர்த்த புராணம்

மார்க்கண்டேய புராணம்

வாமன புராணம்

வராக புராணம்

மச்ச புராணம்

கூர்ம புராணம்

பிரம்மாண்ட புராணம்

வாயு புராணம்

சூர்ய புராணம்

விநாயகர் புராணம்

The 18 Mahapuranas are generally categorized into three groups based on the deity they primarily worship: Vaishnava Puranas (focused on Vishnu), Shaiva Puranas (focused on Shiva), and Shakta Puranas (focused on Shakti or the Divine Mother).

The 18 Mahapuranas:

Vishnu Purana:

Focus: Lord Vishnu

Covers the creation of the universe, the history of dynasties, and stories of Lord Vishnu’s incarnations.

Bhagavata Purana:

Focus: Devotion to Vishnu, particularly in his incarnation as Krishna

Contains stories of Krishna's childhood, his teachings, and devotion (Bhakti).

Narada Purana:

Focus: Devotion (Bhakti) and worship of Vishnu

Describes pilgrimages, religious observances, and the significance of various places of worship.

Garuda Purana:

Focus: Vishnu

Discusses the afterlife, the journey of the soul, and includes details on funeral rites and reincarnation.

Padma Purana:

Focus: Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi

Describes the creation, geography, and mythology of the world. It also focuses on various religious observances.

Varaha Purana:

Focus: Lord Vishnu’s Varaha (boar) incarnation

Contains stories related to the creation of the world and instructions on the duties of various social classes.

Matsya Purana:

Focus: Vishnu’s Matsya (fish) incarnation

Describes the great flood, similar to other flood myths, and contains the genealogies of gods and sages.

Kurma Purana:

Focus: Vishnu’s Kurma (turtle) incarnation

Discusses the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) and the moral duties of human beings.

Linga Purana:

Focus: Lord Shiva

Focuses on the worship of the Shiva Linga and stories of creation, cosmology, and Shiva's greatness.

Shiva Purana:

Focus: Lord Shiva

Contains extensive details about the worship of Shiva, his incarnations, his marriage to Parvati, and his various forms.

Skanda Purana:

Focus: Skanda or Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati

It is the largest Purana and covers a wide range of topics, including legends, festivals, and sacred places of pilgrimage.

Agni Purana:

Focus: Lord Agni (Fire God)

Describes various aspects of knowledge such as Vedic rituals, kingship, governance, and moral codes.

Brahma Purana:

Focus: Lord Brahma

Describes the creation of the universe and various legends about Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and other deities.

Brahmanda Purana:

Focus: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

Discusses cosmology, geography, and the future of the world, with prophecies about the end of the universe.

Brahmavaivarta Purana:

Focus: Lord Krishna, Radha, and Ganesha

Describes creation, the divine play of Krishna and Radha, and praises Ganesha and other deities.

Markandeya Purana:

Focus: Shakti (The Divine Mother)

Includes the Devi Mahatmya, the glorification of the Goddess Durga, and stories related to the power of Shakti.

Vamana Purana:

Focus: Vamana, an incarnation of Vishnu

Describes the Vamana avatar and various other legends associated with Vishnu and Shiva.

Bhavishya Purana:

Focus: Prophecies of future events

Contains predictions about the future, genealogies of kings, and religious duties.

Themes of Mahapuranas:

Cosmology and Creation: The Mahapuranas often explain the creation of the universe, the cycles of time (yugas), and the destruction and recreation of the world.

Genealogies: They provide extensive genealogies of gods, demigods, sages, and kings.

Mythology: These texts are filled with stories about the gods, their incarnations, and their interactions with humans.

Moral and Ethical Guidelines: The Puranas offer guidance on how to live a virtuous life, the duties of different castes (varnas), and the stages of life (ashramas).

Pilgrimages and Temples: Many Puranas highlight the importance of visiting sacred places and describe various holy sites and their significance.

Bhakti (Devotion): Several Puranas emphasize devotion to a particular deity (Vishnu, Shiva, or Shakti) as a means of attaining liberation (moksha).

Importance of Mahapuranas:

The Mahapuranas hold immense religious significance in Hinduism. They are not only spiritual texts but also cultural encyclopedias that reflect ancient Indian wisdom, history, philosophy, and traditions.