What are the 18 Puranas Names in Hinduism?

The Puranas, also called Ashtadasha MahaPurana, are significant manuscripts that preach life values. There are 18 total Puranas in Hinduism. These Purana names are mentioned in the form of 4 lacs granthas, where each grantha consists of 32 syllables, teaching us the way of a fruitful living.

The 18 Puranas & Their Importance

The word Purana means “Puran-Navam-Bhavti” in Sanskrit. It means “through which old becomes new”. So, Puranas are ancient entities, but are designed to suit the modern language or today’s human needs.

• The Puranas act like “binoculars” for the Vedas. That is, they turn deep Vedic teachings into stories with conversations between people.

• Unlike the Vedas, which have strict rules for reading, anyone can read the Puranas—mothers, fathers, or children.

• Hence, thanks to the 18 Puranas names in Hinduism, the wisdom of the Vedas could reach everyone, not just a select few.

• In earlier times, priests would gather people in mandapas (halls) outside temples and tell them these stories and lessons from the Puranas.

• That’s why the Puranas are considered more valuable for the common person than the Vedas themselves. Due to it, Vedic values and traditions continue to live on in society.

How are Types of Puranas Classified?

The 18 Puranas names are classified based on the qualities and life stories of Hindu deities. The 18 Puranas in Hinduism are grouped into three categories or Guna – Sattva, Tamas and Rajas. 

• Sattva or “Truth” (Virtues of Vishnu): Vishnu Purana, Naradiya Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Garuda Purana, Padma Purana, and Varaha Purana. 

• Tamas or “Ignorance” (Virtues of Shiva): Brahmanda Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Markandeya Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Vamana Purana, and Brahma Purana. 

• Rajas or “Passion” (Virtues of Shakti and other gods): Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, Linga Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, and Agni Purana. 

Types of Puranas: 18 Puranas in Hinduism

Here’s the list of 18 Puranas names in English and their details in brief. Puranas are the oldest works of literature, which lay down the Vedas’ principles and lessons in stories and conversations.

1. Brahma Purana

Brahma Purana is an auspicious Purana belonging to Sattva Guna. It has a fine description of geography, mythology, cosmology and Universal Law, the Dharma. Moreover, with the deep research on holy rivers and cities around, this Purana contains 138 chapters and 10,000 shlokas.

2. Padma Purana

Padma Purana mentions the birth of Brahma and teaches us his virtues. Hence, it belongs to the Sattva Guna. It includes five chapters and 55000 shlokas. It also talks about the creation of the universe and the significance of months.

3. Vishnu Purana

Vishnu Purana teaches us lessons from the mythologies of God Vishnu. In this Purana, Sage Parashara is the narrator, and he talks with his student Rishi Maitreya. These conversations have many important lessons and are explained through 10,000 shlokas.

4. Vayu Purana

You will find mentions of great rishis, asuras, Lord Surya, Lords and ancient kings in the Vayu Purana. Also, it comes under Sattva Guna, containing 11,000 shlokas. Some scholars also believe it to be the Shiva Purana.

5. Bhagavata Purana

Bhagvata Purana has the virtues of all the Puranas put together. This Sattva Guna Puran is spread over 12 chapters in 18000 shlokas, preaching the importance of spirituality. Through the stories of Lord Vishnu and portions of the Mahabharata, it motivates you to believe in divine power. 

6. Narada Purana

One of the 18 Puranas in Hinduism, Naradiya or Narada Purana mentions the teachings of Lord Narad Muni and various Vishnu Bhakti topics. Therefore, it’s a Sattva Guna Purana. With two chapters and 25000 shlokas, it is believed to be the first Purana ever written.

7. Markandeya Purana

Markandeya Puarana is a Rajas Guna Purana that mentions various stories with a lesson attached to each. In this Puran, the first chapter starts with the story of four birds who teach the rights and the wrongs. It has 137 chapters and 9000 shlokas.

8. Agni Purana

Agni Purana praises Agni, a form of Lord Vishnu. It talks about Lakshana Shastra, or the figures of speech. It also includes information related to literature, poetry, Navarasa and medicine. Spread over 383 chapters in the form of 15000 shlokas, it has verses related to Ramayana and Mahabharata.

9. Bhavishya Purana

Bhavishya Purana, as the name suggests, focuses on future events.  It has 129 chapters with 28000 shlokas. Moreover, in this Sattva Guna Purana, the virtues of lord Sun are mentioned in the words of Lord Brahma.

10. Brahma Vaivarta Purana

Brahma Vaivarta takes us to the incidents in the life of Lord Krishna and Radha. The Guna it comes under is Sattva. It preaches the good qualities of these two deities. We also get to see the mentions of the great Brahma, Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Tulsi. Spread over 218 chapters, it has 18000 shlokas.

11. Linga Purana

Linga Purana introduces the teachings of Lord Shiva and hence, it belongs to the Tamas Guna. It has 163 chapters and 11000 shlokas. This Puran has verses that talk about Nandi, the cow and Dhruva, the great devotee of Lord Shiva and various instances from the life of Lord Shiva.

12. Varaha Purana

Similar to Vamana Puran, one of 18 Puranas in Hinduism, Varaha Purana contains information on the Varaha avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is evident that it is from Sattva Guna. It has 217 parts and 10000 shlokas.

13. Skanda Purana

Skanda Purana talks about the geography and history of India. Moreover, it has clear mentions of the Himalayan region in the form of stories. It has 7 parts ( Maheswara, Vishnu, Brahma, Kasi, Avanti, Nagara, and Prabhasa) and 81000 shlokas. 

14. Vamana Purana

Vamana Purana talks about the Vamana avatar or form of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, it belongs to the Sattva Guna. It preaches the teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads. Furthermore, it also mentions about stages of human development. It has 95 chapters and 10000 shlokas.

15. Kurma Purana

Lord Vishnu is the narrator in the Kurma Purana. It talks about his tortoise avatar during Sumudra Manthan. The lessons of the churning of the sea between the Devas and the Asuras are mentioned here. This Sattva Guna type contains four chapters and 18000 shlokas. Moreover, life development stages and illusions are also highlighted in the Kurma Purana.

16. Matsya Purana

From the researcher’s point of view, Matsya Purana holds notable importance. It’s because it contains the index of all eighteen Puranas and is unchangeable. It belongs to Tamas Guna and contains 290 chapters with 14000 shlokas.

17. Garuda Purana

Garuda Purana is one of the Vishnu Puranas and hence, belongs to the Sattva. It talks about death, evil, goodness and Truth. Here, conversations between Lord Vishnu and his vahana, Garuda, happen throughout the 279 chapters and 18000 shlokas.

18. Brahmanda Purana

Brahmanda Purana, the last of the 18 Puranas in Hinduism, includes information about the origin of the “Universe or Brahmanda”. Belonging to the Rajas Guna, it talks about how all the Navagrahas or Nine planets, along with other heavenly bodies. It has 11,000 shlokas.

Also Read: – Origin Of The Divine Feminine Temples, The Shakti Peeth

The Writer Behind the 18 Puranas

It was Ved Vyasa who wrote the 18 Puranas in Hinduism. Another person who is remembered alongside Vyas is Vidyaranya Swami, the commentator of all Vedas, who wrote an even more simplified version of all the Puranas known as “Puranasara”. 

Have you ever visited Badrinath? There’s a place called Vyasa Pothi situated there. The significance of this place is that it is designed in the shape of palm-leaf manuscripts. People say that Lord Ved Vyasa sat here to write the Puranas.

Conclusion

The 18 Puranas in Hinduism are teachings and preachings based on the lives of Hindu deities. It is a simplified version of the Vedas, which were only read aloud in temple gatherings earlier. So, Ved Vyas wrote the Purana names and their details, which were later re-simplified by Vidyaranya Swami, making it possible for common people to read them anytime they want.

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