Question on Hindu Dharma

[murugan]

Who wrote Puranas and for what purpose?

[bhaktajan]

The Purana(s) [aka, Histories] were “compiled” by Vyasa 3,000 BC.

The timeless wisdom of India is expressed in the ancient Sanskrit Vedas. Originally preserved through oral tradition, the Vedas were first put into writing five thousand years ago by Srila Vyasadeva, “the literary incarnation of God.”

After compiling the Vedas, Vyasadeva set forth their essence in the aphorisms known as Vedanta-sutras.

Vyasadeva put the Vedas in writing for the people in this age, Kali-yuga.

He divided the Vedas into four: Rig, Sama, Atharva and Yajur.

Then he gave the charge of these Vedas to his different disciples.

Then Vyasadeva summarized all Vedic knowledge for scholars and philosophers in what is called the Vedanta-sutra. This is the last word of the Vedas.

Vyasadeva was not very satisfied even after compiling many Puranas and Upanisads, and even after writing the Vedanta-sutra. Then his spiritual master, Narada, instructed him, “Explain the Vedanta-sutra.” Vedanta means “ultimate knowledge,” and the ultimate knowledge is Krishna.

Krishna says that throughout all the Vedas one has to understand Him: vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham. Krishna says, “I am the compiler of the Vedanta-sutra, and I am the knower of the Vedas.”

Therefore the ultimate objective is Krishna. The Vedanta-sutra simply hints at what is Brahman, the Absolute Truth: “The Absolute Truth is that from whom everything emanates.”

This is a summary, but it is explained in detail in Bhagavata-Purana. If everything is emanating from the Absolute Truth, then what is the nature of the Absolute Truth?

That is explained in Bhagavata-Purana. The Absolute Truth must be consciousness. He is self-effulgent (svarat). We develop our consciousness and knowledge by receiving knowledge from others, but for Him it is said that He is self-effulgent.

The whole summary of Vedic knowledge is the Vedanta-sutra, and the Vedanta-sutra is explained by the writer himself in Bhagavata-Purana.

Those who are actually after Vedic knowledge must try to understand the explanation of all Vedic knowledge from Bhagavata-Purana and the Bhagavad-gita.

best wellwishes,
Bhaktaja

[murugan]

Thanks for your detailed information Bhaktajan...

[Aupmanyav]

Puranas generally have Panini's grammar, i.e., not Vedic Sanskrit. Panini is supposed to have lived around 400 BC. The Aryans did not have Puranas. Their histories are written in the Vedas, Brahmans, and Aranyakas. Puranas are the result of assimilation of Aryans into indigenous hindu society. Their language and our stories. Sage VedaVyasa's Mahabharata is perhaps the oldest of them. The important and respected puranas are known as 'Mahapuranas' (Puranas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Others are known as Upapuranas (lesser Puranas), Sthala Puranas (History of a place), and Kula Puranas (History of a family).

[bhaktajan]

Originally Posted by Aupmanyav

Puranas generally have Panini's grammar, i.e., not Vedic Sanskrit. Panini is supposed to have lived around 400 BC.

Sanskrit grammer vs Panini's grammar.

Is that something akin to spanish vs Italian grammer?
IMO, not likely since both these are latin based. Too close already in word roots etc. But the grammer difference would differ in what way Formatting to plantain leafs' parameters?

There are many different Personalities ---devas, Maharajas, Santas, yogis, warriors, etal from distant parts . . . on the universe ... spanning eons ---that fill the millons of verses in the Vedic Literatures. These different Personalities are QUOTED VERBATEM.
Capturing a persons voice and inflection and other subtile nuances are part and parcel of great literature. That is the source of the different Meters of the spoken word, as is recorded as the "Histories" aka "Puranas".

All readers of unabridged editions of any Purana will easily notice the plethora of personae dramtica entering and exitting ---like a vast Soap Opera of Characters ---these Characters of the "History(s)" are known as devas, Maharajas, Santas, yogis, warriors, etal from pre-Western History.

That is WHY INDIA IS SO WONDEROUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Because of its provanance.

Hindu provanance is the Next Frontiere

[bhaktajan]

Originally Posted by Aupmanyav

Sage VedaVyasa's Mahabharata is perhaps the oldest of them.

The important and respected puranas are known as 'Mahapuranas' (Puranas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Others are known as Upapuranas (lesser Puranas), Sthala Puranas (History of a place), and Kula Puranas (History of a family).

Yes Wikipedia is an awesome source for info.

Veda-Vyasa is "The Literary Incarnation of God".

Veda-Vyasa is an Avatara.

Veda-Vyasa is "Compiler of the Vedas" (completed just after cir.3,000 BC).

Veda-Vyasa's last two compilations of Vedic literatures were:
*MahaBharata
followed by
Bhagavata Purana.

*Just prior to completing Mahabharata ---Veda-Vyasa wrote his very own commentary work named, "Vedanta-Sutra" [aka, Brahma-sutra].

[bhaktajan]

Divisions of the Vedic Literatures

SRUTI – [revealed writings, or “that which is heard”]:

• The four Veda Samhitas - [Rg, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva].
• Brahmanas
• aranyakas
• Upanisads [more than (108) books].

SMRTI – [tradition, or “that which is remembered”]:

• Itihasas - [Epics, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata,

which includes the Bhagavad-gita].

• Puranas (Histories):
  • The (18) Maha-Puranas (“Great Puranas”):

(6) sattvic Puranas (for persons in goodness):
Bhagavata-Purana (Srimad-Bhagavatam),
Visnu-Purana,
Naradiya-Purana
Garuda-Purana
Padma-Purana
Varaha-Purana
(6) rajasic Puranas (for persons in passion):
Matsya-Purana
Kurma-Purana
Linga-Purana
Siva-Purana
Skanda-Purana
Agni-Purana
(6) tamasic Puranas (for persons in ignorance):
Brahma-Purana
Brahmanda-Purana
Brahma-vaivarta-Purana
Markandeya-Purana
Bhavisya-Purana


Vamana-Purana

• • The (18) Upa-Puranas (“Minor Puranas”)
  • The Numerous Sthala-Puranas (“Regional Puranas”)

• Sutras(codes) - [Srauti-Sutra, Grha-Sutra, Kalpa-Sutra, Dharma-Sutra, Sulva-Sutra, Vedanta-Sutra].
• Vedangas (auxiliary Sciences) - [Siksa, Chandas, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Jyotisa, Kalpa].
• Upavedas(sciences indirectly related to Vedic Study) - [ayur-veda, Gandharva-veda, Dhanur-veda, Sthapatya-veda].
• Bhasyas (writings and commentaries of the great acaryas throughout history).

Divisions of the Vedic Literatures

the 18 Major Puranas [Histories]

-- After "Compiling" 18 Puranas, Vyasadeva [ref: Matsya Purana] composed the Mahabharata consisting of 100,000 Verses (SB 12.13.9).

-- Ramayana is an account originally related by Brahma, in 1 Billion Verses ~ Later Narada summarized it to Valmiki, who further presented it to Humans for Artha, Kama, and, Dharma. (12.13.9)

--Therefore, the total quantity of Verses in all the above Puranas/Itihasas (Histories) = 525,000 Verses (12.13.9)

--The Supreme Personality of Godhead revealed the Srimad-Bhagavatam in full to Brahma while sitting on the MahaVishnu's Lotus, before creation. (12.13.10)

[Aupmanyav]

Yes, I missed the purpose of Puranas. It was social welfare, to show people how to behave in a civil society and live peacefully.

And Sage VedaVyasa was the son of Sage Parashar and a fisher woman, Satyavati. Part Aryan, part indigenous, and dark complexioned. He knew the indigenous stories well, and is supposed to have written eighteen puranas.