Introduction of Purans
 

After Vedas, Purans are the most important and popular scruptures in Vedic (Hindu) religion. The word ‘puran’ is derived from the Sanskrit word – ‘pura’ which means ancient or begin. These were the first teatises those were written formally as before these everyhting like Upnishads and Vedangas were braught in traditional hearing system. In this method students were hearing it from their Gurus and memorizing that. From this time of puran, the vedic literatures came in written (book) shap.
                Vyas, the great sage, who is also widely known as Vedvyas, was the auther of these purans. The name sometimes confuses him to be author of Veda and therefore called Vedvyas but infact he was the first who mastered all the Vedas completely therefore he was called Vedvyas, while, before or after other sages remained in part of Veda. Purans have not only gist of knowledge but these symlicize all the teasching of Veda. Most of the hinduism facts, stories and 95% of rituals, thwere sustems, stotras and other prayers have been somehow derived from Purans. In fact the purans guide the worshipping systems while mantras are taken mostly from the Vedas.  
 
  A short introduction of 18 Purans
  BRHMA
 

Contains two parts- Purva Bhaag and Uttar Bhaag. Purva Bhaag contains tales of creation, description of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. Uttar Bhaag contains a detailed description of Purshottam Tirtha prominent among all the holy places.
  PADMA
 

Contains five parts. In the first part, sage Pulastya explains the essence of religion to Bheeshma. The second part contains a description of the earth. Third part contains tales of creation as well as geographical description of India. Fourth part describes the life of Lord Rama. In the fifth part, essential knowledge of religion has been discussed in dialogue style between Lord Shiva and Parvati.

  VISHNU
 

Also contains five parts. First part narrates about the creation of the universe, Pralay and churning of the sea. Second part contains geographical description of earth divided into seven islands. Third part describes about the origin of Buddhism. Fourth part contains a description about the populating of the earth from the beginning. Fifth part is entirely devoted to the life and plays of Lord Krishna.

  SKAND
 

It is the largest Purana. It is mainly devoted to Kartikeya (Skanda), the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Besides, it contains a lot of tales related to Lord Shiv and many holy places of pilgrimage devoted prominently to Shiv.

  SHIV
 

It is also a huge compilation of tales devoted primarily to the life and plays of Lord Shiva. It is divided into seven Samhitas, which together contain more than twenty-four thousand stanzas.

  VAMAN
 

This Purana is entirely devoted to Vaman avtaar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu narrated in dialogue style between the sage Pulastya and Narad.
  MARKANDEY
 

Markandeya Purana begins with a question put forth by sage Jaimini. In reply to this question, sage Markandeya narrates what constitutes the subject matter of this Purana. Popular Durga Shaptashati which is sung in Navratris is derived from this Puran. Several Yagyas are done from the mantras taken from this Puran.
  VARAH
 

It contains the tale of rescue of the earth by ‘Varaha’ avtaar (boar incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.
  BRHMAVAIVARTTA
 

This Purana contains four parts. First part contains the tale of creation. Second part contains tales related to goddesses. Third part contains tales related to Lord Ganesh. In the fourth part, tales related to the life and plays of Lord Krishna have been given.

  AGNI
 

This Purana is devoted to Agni. It is presented in preaching style by Agni to sage Vashishta. It contains the description of various incarnations of God, Lord Rama and Krishna as well as of the earth and stars.

  BHAVISHYA
 

This Purana contains five Parvas (parts). The first part contains description of creation. Second, third and fourth parts contain detailed description of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Surya respectively. In the fifth part, description of heaven has been given.

  KURMA
 

Lord Himself has narrated this Purana in Kurma (tortoise) incarnation to Narad. Narad narrated it to Sutaji who in his term narrated it to an assembly of great sages.

  MATSYA
 

Tales of Lord’s fish incarnation and preservation of Manu and the seeds of all life during Pralay by Matsya avtaar is the main theme of this Purana.

  GARUD
 

In Garuda Purana, Lord Vishnu preaches his vehicle, Garuda about the subtleties of religion and life. Besides, trivial tales related to religion and moral, this Purana also contains description of diamond like jewels and the ways to identify best kind of jewels. This puran is widely used for after death knowledge and ceamtion and relevant secraments. It also discribes the result of Karma and about the soul, death, heaven, hell, ghost. rebirth and salvation.

  BRAHMAND
 

It is the last of the eighteen Puranas. Presently it is available in different pieces and no connection seems to exist between them. Once, it had contained Aadhyatma Ramayana.
  BHAGWAT
 

Because of its beautiful presentation style, Shrimad Bhagwat Purana has a high rank in Sanskrit literature. It contains tales related to various incarnations of Lord Vishnu and mainly deals with the life and plays of Lord Krishna. The whole story of Lord Krishna is derived from here. This also contains Mahabharat and Geeta.,

  LINGA
 

Preaching about the glory of Lord Shiva and Linga Puja is the main objective of this Purana. In two parts, this Purana contains tales related to the creation of the universe, origin of Linga, and of all the Vedas, Brahma, Vishnu etc. from this Linga.

  NARAD
 

It is a Vaishnav Purana presented in a style of dialogue between Narad and Sanat kumar. This Purana contains detailed description of major places of pilgrimage.