THE 18 PURANA

• LORD VISHNU (Predominating Deity)

1. Vishnu Purana – 23,000 verses. Stories of various devotees;     A description of varnasrama;     The six angas of the Veda; A description of the age of Kali; It describes the Sveta Varaha Kalpa, Vishnu dharmotara;

2. Naradiya Purana – 25,000 verses. This Purana contains a synopsis of everything;  It describes Jagannatha Puri, Dwaraka, Badrinatha, etc.

3. Padma Purana – 55,000 verses. Contains the glory of Srimad Bhagavatam;   The stories of Rama, Jagannatha, Matsya, Ekadasi, Bhrgu, etc.

4. Garuda Purana – 19,000 verses. Subject of Bhagavad-gita; Reincarnation; Visnusahasranam; It describes the Tarsya Kalpa.

5. Varaha Purana – 24,000 verses. Describes different Vrata;  Lord Vishnu’s glories.

6. Bhagavata Purana – 18,000 verses. (Included by some in the mode of goodness).

• LORD BRAHMA (Predominating Deity)

1. Brahmanda Purana – 12,000 verses.  Describes the Vedangas;  Describes the Adi Kalpa.

2. Brahmavaivarta Purana – 18,000 verses. Contains the glories and pastimes of Radha and Krsna.

3. Markendeya Purana – 9,000 verses. Stories of Rama and Krsna.

4. Bhavisya Purana – 14,500 verses. Contains the glories of devotional service; Prediction of Lord Caitanya.

5. Vamana Purana – 10,000 verses. Contains the story of Lord Trivikrama.

6. Brahma Purana – 10,000 verses.

• LORD SIVA (Predominating Deity)

1. Matsya Purana – 14,000 verses. Temple construction; Describes Vamana and Varaha Kalpas.

2. Kurma Purana – 17,000 verses. Contains the conversation between Krsna and the Sun-god;     Danvantari; Describes the Laksmi Kalpa.

3. Linga Purana – 10,000 verses. Contains the glory of Lord Nrsmhadeva; Janardhana; The story of Ambarisha; The glories of Gayatri.

4. Siva Purana – 24,000 verses.

5. Skanda Purana – 81,000 verses.

6. Agni Purana – 15,400 verses. Contains the description of Salagrama; Describes the Isana kalpa. All these Puranas describe five subjects. The Amarkhasa describes the Puranas as follows: (Ref. Chapter 12, Puranic Literatures)