Purana Sagaram

Hinduism, religion that originated in India and is still practiced by most of its inhabitants. The Hindus define their community as “those who believe in the Vedas” or “those who follow the way (dharma) of the four classes (varnas) and stages of life (ashramas).”

The ultimate canonical authority for all Hindus is the Vedas. The Vedas, including the Brahmanas and the Upanishads, are regarded as revealed canon. The practical compendium of Hinduism is contained in the Smriti. Smriti includes the two great Sanskrit epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana; the many Sanskrit Puranas, including 18 great Puranas and several dozen more subordinate Puranas.

The Puranas were composed after the epics, and several of them develop themes found in the epics. The Puranas also include subsidiary myths, hymns of praise, philosophies, iconography, and rituals.