The Purans- Chief Source of Information

The chief source of information respecting the modern mythology of the Hindus are the two great epic- the Ramayana and the Mahabharata- the purans vow old stories. There is nothing definitely known as to the date Epics, beyond the fact that they are later than the Vedas, and earlier than the puranas. It is almost difficult to determine the date of the purans. It is however believed that none of them are older than the eighth century, through some of legends incorporated in them may have come from much earlier times. That they are considerably later than the two great Epics is evident from the fact that many, who are described as- Those which are devoted to the praise, the creation of the universe, it’s destruction and re-creation , the genealogy of gods and patriarchs, the reigns and period of the rulers over long periods of time and the history of the two great races of kings, the solar and the lunar. The Purans , as at present known, omit some of these great questions and introduce others. Great discrepancies, too, are found in the different genealogies. The word signifies a means of faith and they teach that faith in the revelations they record will save from greatest sin. The date of these works is involved in great obscurity , but as far as can be known they probably are not earlier than the sixth century of our era. The doctrines, or at least a part of the doctrines of these sects is kept secret and communicated to those only who receive solemn into the mysteries. I shall describe those who are regarded as their incarnations, or descendants, and than proceed to speak of others who have no formal connection wih any of them. It will be seen that most of the principal deities are connected with one or other.