The eighteen Mahapuranas
- Brahma Purana
- Padma Purana
- Vishnu Purana
- Shiva Purana (Vayu Purana in some lists)
- Bhagavata Purana
- Narada Purana
- Markandeya Purana (contains the Devi Mahatmya / Durga Saptashati)
- Agni Purana
- Bhavishya Purana
- Brahmavaivarta Purana
- Linga Purana
- Varaha Purana
- Skanda Purana (the largest)
- Vamana Purana
- Kurma Purana
- Matsya Purana
- Garuda Purana
- Brahmanda Purana (contains the Lalita Sahasranama)
What a Purana contains
Tradition says a Purana has five marks (pancha-lakshana): sarga (creation), pratisarga (dissolution and re-creation), vamsha (genealogies of gods and sages), manvantara (the ages of the Manus) and vamshanucharita (the dynasties of kings). In practice they also contain stories of the avatars, temples and tirthas, vratas and festivals, and devotional philosophy.
They are often grouped by the deity they favour: Vaishnava (Vishnu, Bhagavata, Padma…), Shaiva (Shiva, Linga, Skanda…) and Brahma Puranas; many also exalt the Devi.
Puranas on this site
- The Durga Saptashati — chapters 81–93 of the Markandeya Purana (all 13 chapters)
- Ekadashi stories — from the Padma and Bhavishyottara Purana tradition
- Festival stories — from the Bhagavata, Shiva, Skanda and other Puranas
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most important Purana?
The Bhagavata Purana is the most widely read and loved, especially its tenth book on Krishna; the Vishnu, Shiva and Markandeya Puranas are also central.
Which Purana contains the Durga Saptashati?
The Markandeya Purana (chapters 81–93).
Are the Puranas shruti or smriti?
Smriti — "remembered" tradition, of human composition, as distinct from the revealed Vedas.