*** Varaha Purana ***

Varaha Purana describes in detail about the Varaha incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu, and narrates about the rescue of the Prithvi (goddess earth).In spite of its Vaisnavatic character it contains legends related to Shiva and Durga. A large portion of this work tells the legends of Naciketas in which the descriptions of hell and heaven form the main theme.

*** Padma Purana ***

Padma Purana contains five parts- Srishtikhand, Bhumikhand, Swargkhand, Patalkhand and Uttarkhand.

Srishtikhand contains an explanation of metaphysical knowledge in a dialogue style between Bheeshma and the sage Pulastya. It contains a description of Pushkar Tirth. Surprisingly, this part ridicules the worship of the planets (Grahas).

Bhumikhand has a description of the earth, besides the tales of the kings like Prithu, Nahush, Yayati, Prabhriti and the sages like Shiva Varma, suvrata and Chyvan. For its description of the earth and archaic matter, this part is often regarded as the geography and the history of a period.

Swargakhand describes the sequence of creation first and then the glory of the holy places as well as the geographical expansion of India along with her mountains, rivers and the people.

In the Patalkhand, Sutaji narrates the tales related to the life and plays of Lord Rama in an assembly of the sages. This part also contains a description about the life and plays of Lord Krishna.

Uttarkhand contains a discussion about the metaphysical knowledge of religion presented in a dialogue style between Lord Shiva and Parvati. This part also contains thousand names of Lord Vishnu and one hundred names of Lord Rama.

*** Garuda Purana ***

This particular Puran is named after Garuda because he was the one who first narrated these tales to sage Kashyap. Kashyap subsequently narrated them to sage Vyas.
In This Puran Sage Shaunak asked Sutji that Who is the creator of this world? Who nurtures it and who annihilates it in the end? How can one realize the supreme Almighty? How many incarnations the Almighty has taken till now? Please enlighten u.Then Sutji revealed to him the contents of Garuda Puran, which contains the divine tales of Lord Vishnu, incarnations of lord Vishnu, His omnipotent nature, his blessings to bird garuda, Navgraha Mantras, etc.

*** SRIMAD BHAGAVATA PURANA ***

Srimada Bhagavata Purana is a puranic text of Hindu literature with its primary focus on devotion to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna.It is a chronicle of the various Avataras of Lord Vishnu .There are ten Avataras of Vishnu. The aim of every Avatara is to save the world from some great danger, to destroy the wicked and protect the virtuous.

The Sanskrit text comprises twelve skandas (cantos or books) and 13,216 verses by one count.
The Bhāgavata is widely recognized as the most well known and influential of the Puranas^. It is unique in Indian religious literature for its emphasis on the practice of bhakti, compared to the more theoretical bhakti of the Bhagavad Gita; for its redefining of dharma; and for the extent of its description of God in a human form.

*** NARADIYA PURANA ***

Naradiya Purana Attributed to Sage Narada. Naradiya Purana is one among the 18 Puranas and has around 25,000 verses.ther than this, this Purana embodies abridgment of everything. Narada narrates to Sanatkumara the dharmas of Brhatkalpa.

Naradiya Purana has been divided into two parts:

The first part contains four chapters, which include dialogue between Suta and Shaunak, origin of the universe, salvation, birth of Shukadev, rituals, provisions and the results of the various fasts. The second part contains tales related to Lord Vishnu, depiction and significance of pilgrimage centers and performing pilgrimage.

It also describes places such as Jagannath,Dwaraka and Badrinath.

*** VISHNU PURAN ***

The most important of all the eighteen Puranas, the Vishnu Purana is known as the Puranratna, which means the gems of Puranas.The main text of Vishnu Purana opens with the conversation between a sage and a disciple. The method of narration is in the form a conversation, where the sage Parasar teaches his disciple Maitereya. In the Vishnu Purana the reference of the Mauryas dynasty is found. Hence the scholars have surmised it to be composed in the first or second century AD.

The text of Vishnu Purana is compiled into six parts:

1) The first part narrates the creation of the universe, ending and the churning of the sea.
2) The second part contains a geographical description of the earth when it divided into seven islands, after the churning of sea.
3) The third part describes the origin of Buddhism.
4) The fourth part contains a description about the inhabitants of the earth from the beginning of its creation.
5) The fifth part is entirely devoted to the life and plays of Lord Krishna.
6) The sixth part contains the description of religion in Kali Yuga. Thus the Vishnu Purana in its three parts demonstrates the Universe, from its creation till its destruction.

The first part with which the Vishnu Purana deals with is the description of the creation of the universe, birth of the gods and the demons, pralaya, churning of the sea, tales of the devotee Dhruva, killing of Hiranyakashipu, etc.

The second part contains the description of mythological description of Priyavrata`s sons and the Bharata dynasty. It also has a geographical description of Jambu dvipa, Bharata varsa, Shatdweep, Patal (the Hades), the sun and the planets, chariot of the sun, origin of the Ganges, etc.

The third part of Vishnu Purana is an important segment since it deals with the human existence in the God create world. This contains a detailed description of Manvantara, Kalpa, Veda Vyasa, religion, the caste system, etc. It also has a description of the origin of Buddhism. The origin of the class and caste according to the profession was first described with the detailed description in the third part of Vishnu Purana.

The fourth part describes the genealogies of kings and dynasties in the earth. This describes the origin of Brahman and Daksha, birth of Pururava, marriage of Balarama with Revati, birth of Iksvaku, the Kukutstha dynasty, tale of Yuvanashva and Saubhari, Sarpvinasha mantra, Narayana dynasty, birth of Sagar, Ashwamedha by Sagar, and flowing of the Ganges through the penance of Bhagiratha. Also the birth of Lord Rama, yagya of Vishwamitra, birth of Sita, tales of the Chandra dynasty, the abduction of Tara, origin of Agnitrayo, birth of Dhanvantri and his clan, wars with the demons, clan of Nahush, tale of Yayati, Yadu dynasty and birth of Kartveerya Arjun.

The fifth year deals with the life and birth of Lord Krishna. Along with it the fifth part describes the genealogies of Kings. The fifth part also has a detailed description with a thorough introduction of the Kali Yug. There are tales of Krishna`s birth, marriage of Krishna with Jambvanti and Satyabhama, salvation of Shishupaal, overpopulation of Yaduvanshis, birth of Kama and his discovery by Adhirath, Janamejaya dynasty and origin of Bharat, clans of the Jahnu and Pandu, clan of Parikshit and royal dynasties of the future, future generations of the Iksvaku dynasty, Brihad dynasty, Pradyot dynasty, kingdom of Nand, advent of Kali yuga and description of the royal dynasties of Kali yuga.

In the fifth part there is also found descriptions of the marriage of Vasudev and Devaki, incarnation of Lord Vishnu to kill Kansa, arrival of Yagmaya in Yashoda`s womb and of the Lord Krishna in Devaki`s womb, birth of Lord Krishna, carrying of Krishna to Gokul, dialogue of Mahamaya with Kansa, acquiring of defensive stance by Kansa, releasing of Vasudev and Devaki, killing of Putana, killing of Shakat, naming of Krishna and Balarama, humiliation of Kaliya, killing of Dhenukasura, killing of Pralamb, description of festival devoted to Indra, worshipping of Govardhana, arrival of Indra, killing of Arishtakasura, arrival of Narad in Kansa`s court, killing of Keshi, arrival of Akrur in Vrindavana, arrival of Lord Krishna in Mathura, Lord Krishna`s mercy on Kubja, arrival of Lord Krishna in coliseum and killing of Kansa.

Later in the concluding section of the fifth part of Vishnu Purana includes the coronation of Ugrasena, bringing of Sudhama in Mathura, defeat of Jarasandha, birth of Kalayavan, killing of Kaiayavan, Vrindavana tour by Balarama, attainment of Varuni by Balarama, abduction of Rukmani, abduction of Pradyumna, getting of Pradyumna by Mayavati, killing of Shambar by Pradyumna, killing of Rukmini by Balarama, attainment of 16,000 queens by Lord Krishna, abduction of Parijat, fight with Indra, begging for pardon by Indra, migration to Dwarka, bow battle, telling of dream by Usha, abduction of Aniruddha, fight with Lord Shiva, amputation of Bana by Lord Krishna, killing of Kashiraj Paundraka, putting of Varanasi on flames, abduction of Lakshmana, presentation of Samb before the sages as an expecting mother, origin of pestle, destruction of Yaduvansha, ascendance of Lord Krishna to heaven, beginning of Kali yuga, preaching of Arjun by Vyasa, coronation of Parikshit.

The sixth part deals entirely with the kali Yuga. A deviation from the path of Divinity, which lead the human beings to the way of destruction This contains description of religion in Kali yuga, description of the importance of Kali yuga, Shudra and womenfolk by Vyasa, description of Kalpa, description of a day of Brahma, position of Brahma in Pralaya, natural disasters, different kinds of sorrow, torturing in hell, awakening of Brahma, preaching of yoga, tale of Keshidhwaja, killing of the religion and the cow, holding of counsel by Khandikya, self-knowledge, ridicule of body-spiritualism, queries of yoga, Brahmagyana (Vedas), concepts of tangible-intangible appearances of God, salvation of Khandikya and Keshidhwaja, excellence of Vishnu Purana, virtues of Lord Vishnu`s names and results of hearing Lord`s name. The ultimate note of the Vishnu Purana is that the forfeiture in the feet of Lord Vishnu will lead a man to get rid of all mortal bondages and sufferings. As a result the man will attain salvation. The Vishnu Purana thereby touches the keynote of the entire Puranas.

The best among the Puranas are the Srimad Bhagavata and the Vishnu Purana. The most popular is the Srimad Bhagavata Purana. Next comes Vishnu Purana. A portion of the Markandeya Purana is well known to all Hindus as Chandi, or Devimahatmya. Worship of God as the Divine Mother is its theme. Chandi is read widely by the Hindus on sacred days and Navaratri (Durga Puja) days.

Beginners in the spiritual path are puzzled when they go through Siva Purana and Vishnu Purana. In Siva Purana, Lord Siva is highly eulogised and an inferior position is given to Lord Vishnu. Sometimes Vishnu is belittled. In Vishnu Purana, Lord Hari is highly eulogised and an inferior status is given to Lord Siva. Sometimes Lord Siva is belittled. This is only to increase the faith of the devotees in their particular Ishta-Devata. Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu are one.

6 Sattvic Puranas - Praising Vishnu are :

1) Vishnu Purana
2) Naradiya Purana
3) Srimad Bhagavata Purana
4) Garuda (Suparna) Purana
5) Padma Purana
6) Varaha Purana

== Sashtras and Puranas ==

The Dharma Sashtras are the books that are expressly called Smritis.

The three great law-givers are:

1) Manu, who wrote the Manu Smriti or Manava Dharma-Sastra,

2) Yagnavalkya, who wrote the Yagnavalkya Smriti which is next in importance to Manu’s Smriti and

3) Parasara, who wrote the Parasara Smriti.

These are the three great law-givers and their Dharma-Sastras are still studied today to gather guidelines for social conduct.

In all, there are 18 Dharma Sashtras. The other 15 are those of Vishnu, Daksha, Samvarta, Vyasa, Harita, Satatapa, Vasishtha, Yama, Apastamba, Gautama, Devata, Sankhya-Likhita, Usana, Atri and Saunaka.

The Puranas and the Great Epics are expressly Itihases, historical works, but they also come under the broad range of the Smritis.

The Puranas are akin to the historical epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. There are five characteristics to the Puranas: history, cosmology: a combination of astrology and astronomy with symbolic illustrations chalking out philosophic concepts, creation after the original being came into existence, genealogy of Kings and Manvantaras – the period of Manu’s rule for 71 celestial yugas.

According to legend, Ved Vyasa is reputed to be the compiler of the Puranas in each age. In this Kaliyuga he is Krishna Dvaipayana.

More practically, since the Puranas were written for ordinary people the sages who wrote them avoided high philosophic thoughts and ideals and transplanted them with allegorical allusions that went down well with the people.Thus, the Puranas are a great and interesting potpourri of myths and legends involving the lives of Gods, Goddesses, kings, sages and others. Through these simple tales the sages have illustrated the eternal principles of religion to the common people.

In all there are 18 Puranas together with an equal number of Upa-Puranas or subsidiary Puranas. The 18 Puranas can be subdivided into

6 Rajasic Puranas praising Brahma,

6 Sattvic Puranas praising Vishnu and

6 Tamasic Puranas praising Shiva.

----------------Gita Saar -----------------

Gita is the divine voice of the God. One can be spiritually benefited by mediating and contemplating on the Gita. One's all doubts are removed and by following it, one can attain Him. This Celestial Song was sung by Lord Krishna (The eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu).

"Whatever happened, it happened for good.
Whatever is happening, is happening for good.
Whatever that will happen, it will be for good.
What have you lost for which you cry?
What did you bring with you, which you have lost?
What did you produce, which has destroyed?
You did not bring anything when you were born.
Whatever you have, you have received from Him.
Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.

You came empty handed and

you will go the same way.

Whatever is yours today was somebody else’s yesterday and will be somebody else’s tomorrow.

Change is the law of the universe."

Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is also called Gītopaniṣad, implying its having the status of an Upanishad, i.e. a Vedantic scripture.It is considered as one of the most important philosophical classics of the world.
The content of the Gita is the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna taking place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra War.

Hindu Scriptures

Four main Hindu Scriptures are:

1. Rig Veda
2. Yajur Veda
3. Sam Veda
4. Atharva Veda

Others are:

Agama, Aranyaka
Bhagvad Geeta, Brahmana, Brahma Sutras
Devi Mahatmya, Devi Bhagvata, Divya Prabandha
Gheranda Samhita, Geeta (Bhagvad Geeta)
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Itihaas
Jataka
Kamba Ramayana
Mahabhartha
Manu Smriti
Purana
Ramayana
Saharsnama
Shiv Samhita
Smriti
Sutra
Shikhapatri
Bhagvata Purana
Sutra
Tantras
Tevaram
Tirumantiram
Upanishad
Veda
Vachanamrut
Yoga Sutra

We Will Discuss the highlighted scriptures in brief in our next coming segments...

The Most Powerful Incarnation of Vishnu is - Krishna , Where God Strongly admitted the underlying statement..

"I am the conscience in the heart of all creatures
I am their beginning, their being, their end
I am the mind of the senses,
I am the radiant sun among lights
I am the song in sacred lore,
I am the king of deities
I am the priest of great seers…"

This is how Lord Krishna describes God in the Bhagavad Gita which is one of the most important Hindu scriptures.

The content of the Gita is the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna taking place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra War. Responding to Arjuna's confusion and moral dilemma, Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and prince and elaborates on different Yogic and Vedantic philosophies, with examples and analogies. This has led to the Gita often being described as a concise guide to Hindu Theology and also as a practical, self-contained guide to life.