Brahmanda Purana
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Brahmanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is considered the last of the Puranas, and it once contained Aadhyatma Ramayana.
[edit] Outline
The major sections of this Purana include:
- Detailed description of creation of cosmos, discussion about the time as a dimension and details of Kalpa and Yuga.
- Aspects of religious geography and in this context description of Jambudvipa and Bharata-varsha, and certain other locations identified as islands and landmasses like Anudvipa, Ketumaala-varsha.
- Description of certain dynasties like the houses of Bharata, Prithu, Deva, Rishi, and Agni.
- Adhyatma Ramayana with seven parts.
This deals with the origin of the universe as told by Brahma. In the beginning there was a golden egg and the prapanca (universe with its activities) was formed out of it. Portions of Adhyatma Ramayana, references to Radha and Krsna and the incarnation of Parasurama are included in this. This book contains twelve thousand verses and it is believed to be uttama (best) to give this book as a gift to a Brahmin.
- Describes the vedangas; describes the Adi Kalpa.
- 12,000 verses.
[edit] Further reading
- Mani, Vettam. Puranic Encyclopedia. 1st English ed. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1975.