श्रीमद्देवीभागवतपुराणम्- Srimaddevibhagavatapuranam

INTRODUCTION

The Puranas are a very important branch of the sacred literature of India. They enable us to know the true import of the ethos, philosophy and religion of the Vedas. They clothe with flesh and blood the frame work of the Dharma Sastras, without which the life-force of the Vedas cannot function with effect. The Puranas relate to the whole of India so far as the historical portion therein is concerned and to the whole world so far as their ethical, philosophical and religious portions are concerned. The real function of the Puranas is to explain, illustrate and amplify the Vedic Mantras and to reveal the secret knowledge pro pogated in them.

The term "Purana" means that which lives from old, or that which is always new though it is old. The Puranas were told or written by sage Vyāsa, according to Indian tradition, with the object of popularising the truths, taught in the Vedas, by presenting them in relation to specific personages and to the events of their lives. Popularly Purāņas are known as having five characteristics, viz. Sarga, Pratisarga, Vaṁśa, Manvantaras and Vamsa- nucarita. It seems that these are the specific topics contained in all the Puranas.

The Puranas proceed to describe the historic evolution of the mankind in course of time. They describe the eternal cycle of the creation, destruction and recreation of the world, which

constitute a fundamental concept in all the Puranas. Besides these the Puranas reflect in meticulous details the contemporary life and thought and thus largely have moulded public life, belief, conduct and ideal for centuries and have contributed a great deal in bringing about religious harmony and understanding amongst the various sections of the Hindu society. The Puranas afford us far greater insight into all aspects and phases of Hinduism-its mythology, idol-worship, its superstitions, its festivals and ceremonies as well as ethics. Some scholars say that the Puranas are sectarian and of contradictory character. The fact is that each Purana has preferences, but no exclusions in regards to the gods. Whether we call Purana, a Saiva Purana or Vaisnava Purana or sakta  Purana, we find references to the Lilas (exploits) of various gods in each of them. For the purpose of intensifying devotion to one God, the deity is described as the supreme reality, but this is not the denial of godhood to others. In reality the trinity of gods, viz. Brahma, Visnu and Mahesa is one divinity associated with the three cosmic functions; viz. of creation, preservation and destruction.

The Maha-Puranas are said to be eighteen in number, though there are 20 books which claim to be the Mahapuranas.  Some times Vayu Purana is substituted for Śiva Purana and Devi Bhagavata is substituted for Bhagavata Purana. By putting aside