Padma Purana
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Padma Purana (Devanagari: पद्म पुराण), one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is divided into five parts. In the first part sage Pulastya explains to Bhishma about religion and the essence of the religion. The second part describes in detail Prithvi (earth). In the third part description of the cosmos is given, including creation, and description of India (Bharat Mata). The fourth part describes the life and deeds of Rama. The fifth part is in the style of a dialogue between Shiva and his consort, Parvati, and deals with the essential knowledge about religion.
Contents |
[edit] Outline
The major sections of this Purana include the Srishti Khanda, Bhumi Khanda, Svarga Khanda, Patala Khanda, and Uttara Khanda.
[edit] Srishti Khanda
The Srishti Khanda (Book of the Universe) is in the form of a dialogue between Bhishma and the sage Pulastya. It also contains a detailed description of Pushkara, a famous place of pilgrimage. It is a matter of interest that some sections of this part is derisive of the worship of grahas (include, but not limited to, planets).
[edit] Bhumi Khanda
The Bhumi Khanda (Book of the Earth) has a description of Prithvi (the earth) and tales of kings like Prithu and Yayati and of several sages. Some scholars believe that the description of earth and tales of kings and sages in this Purana has factual elements of geography and history of that period.
[edit] Svarga Khanda
The Svarga Khanda (Book of Heaven) contains details of the sequence of creation of the cosmos. It also describes the significance and importance of holy places and geographical expansion and features of Jambudvipa, including its mountains and rivers. It also tells about the people of India in ancient times.
[edit] Patala Khanda
The Patala Khanda (Book of the Underworld) Ugrasrava Sauti narrates the life story of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, to an assembly of sages. There are also sections devoted to the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
[edit] Uttara Khanda
The Uttara Khanda presents the metaphysical aspects of religion in the form of a dialogue between Shiva and Parvati. This part also contains the Vishnu sahasranama (1000 names of Vishnu) and Rama sahasranama (1000 names of Rama). The name of this section is also applied to the Uttarakhand region of the Indian Himalayas over which Shiva and Parvati preside as the source of the Yamuna and Ganga rivers, abodes of Vishnu at Badrinath and Shiva at Kedarnath, and the Ganga's entry into the plains of India at Haridwar.
[edit] Further reading
- Mani, Vettam. Puranic Encyclopedia. 1st English ed. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1975.
[edit] External links
- Summary of Padma Purana
- Padma Purāna, 1st part
- Padma Purāna, 2nd & 3rd parts
- Padma Purāna, 5th & 6th parts
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