24 Puranas All Puranas

The word "Purāṇa" literally means "ancient" or "old." It represents one of the richest and most extensive literary traditions of Indian civilization, encompassing cosmology, divine narratives, genealogies, history, folklore, religion, philosophy, geography, and the enduring cultural traditions of India. Maharishi Vedavyasa, the composer and narrator of the Mahabharata, is traditionally credited with compiling and systematically organizing the Purāṇas. Although these works were originally composed in Sanskrit, their influence gradually spread across numerous Indian languages and cultural traditions. Many Purāṇas are named after prominent Hindu deities such as Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and the Divine Goddess (Devi).

The Purāṇas constitute an integral part of classical Hindu literature and occupy a position of profound importance in the religious, cultural, and philosophical heritage of India. Far more than collections of events, they serve as invaluable repositories of knowledge encompassing dharma, ethics, history, cosmology, geography, social customs, rituals, and spiritual philosophy. Traditionally, the eighteen Mahāpurāṇas are classified according to the three guṇas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. The first six are regarded as Sāttvika, the next six as Rājasa, and the final six as Tāmasa.

According to the Indian tradition, there are 18 Mahāpurāṇas (Major Purāṇas) and 18 Upapurāṇas (Minor Purāṇas), making a total of 36 Purāṇas. Although the original authorship of each individual text cannot be established with certainty, the compilation and systematic arrangement of the Purāṇic corpus are traditionally attributed to Maharishi Vedavyasa. The Purāṇas are an invaluable treasure of India's intellectual and spiritual heritage, shaping the nation's society, culture, religion, ethical values, and way of life for millennia.