Padma Purana, Padma Purāṇa: 2 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. General definition
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Introduction:

Padma Purana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: India Netzone: Padma Purana

Padma Purana is one of the major Puranas among the eighteen Mahapuranas and an ancient Hindu religious text. There are five parts into which this ancient Indian text is divided. Khandas in Sanskrit means a partition, portion or part divided off from the whole. The following five Khandas are contained in the Padma Puranas-

Book I, Srishti Khanda, i.e. section of the Creation;
Book II, Bhumi Khanda i.e. section of the earth;
Book III, Swarga Khanda, i.e. section of the heavens;
Book IV, Patala Khanda, i.e. section of the nether world, and,
Book V, Uttara Khanda, i.e. last section.

A kind of appendix to the Uttara Khanda is formed by the Kriyayogasara, i.e. the essence of Yoga.

Srishti Khanda: Book I, Srishti Khanda, i.e. 'section of the Creation,' commences with the usual introduction. The cosmological and cosmogonic myths are here too related similarly as in the other Puranas. But in this book, it is not Lord Vishnu who is assumed as the first cause, but the highest Brahman in the form of the personal god Brahman. Nevertheless, even this book is Vishnuite in character, and contains myths and legends for the glorification of the god Vishnu. Myths are then told of the conflicts between gods and demons, followed by a chapter which is of interest from the point of view of the history of religion.

Bhumi Khanda: Book II, Bhumi khanda i.e. section of the earth, begins with legends of Somasarman, who in a later rebirth became the famous Vishnu worshipper Prahlada. Besides a description of the earth, this book contains numerous legends which are intended to prove the sanctity of various Tirthas or holy places.

Swarga Khanda: Book III, Swarga Khanda, i.e. section of the heavens, gives a description of the various worlds of the gods, of the highest heaven of Vishnu, Vaikuntha, the worlds of the Bhutas, Pisacas, Gandharvas, Vidyadharas and Apsaras, the worlds of Lord Surya, Indra, Lord Agni, Lord Yama and so on, into which are woven numerous myths and legends. A description of the world of the Apsaras is the occasion for narrating the legend of Pururavas and Urvasi.

Patala Khanda: Book IV, Patala Khanda, i.e. section of the nether world, first describes the subterranean regions, in particular the dwellings of the Nagas or snake-deities. A mention of Ravana is the cause of the narration of the whole Rama-legend. Here is also found the Rsyasrnga-legend in a version which is older than that in the Mahabharata. The actual Rama-legend is preceded by a story of the forefathers of Rama, beginning with Manu, the son of the sun-god, and his rescue from the flood.

Uttarakhanda: Book V, Uttarakhanda, i.e. last section, is a very long book expounding the Vishnu cult and the feasts and ceremonies connected with it, in the most impressive manner. A large portion is devoted to the glorification of the month Magha, which is especially sacred to Vishnu. Numerous legends are related as evidence of the great merit of bathing during this month.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Shodhganga: Introduction to Purāṇas

Always securing the second place in the enumeration of the Purāṇas, the Padmapurāṇa derived its name from an account of the period when the world was golden lotus (Padma). In respect of volume and size, it is only second to the Skandapurāṇa. It contains fiftyfive thousand verses. The North India recension contains five Khaṇḍas or books arranged in the following order:

Srishti Khanda (Sṛṣtikhaṇḍa),
Bhumi Khanda (Bhūmikhaṇḍa),
Svarga Khanda (Svargakhaṇḍa),
Patala Khanda (Pātālakhaṇḍa),
and Uttara Khanda (Uttarakhaṇḍa).

The South Indian recension contains the following Khaṇḍas:

Adi Khanda (Ādikhaṇḍa),
Bhumi Khanda (Bhūmikhaṇḍa),
Brahma Khanda (Brahmakhaṇḍa),
Patala Khanda (Pātālakhaṇḍa),
Sristi Khanda (Sṛṣtikhaṇḍa) or Prakriya Khanda (Prakriyākhaṇḍa),
and Uttara Khanda (Uttarakhaṇḍa).

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Search found 47 books and stories containing Padma Purana, Padma purāṇa; (plurals include: Padma Puranas, Padma purāṇas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

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Introduction to Padma Purana

Chapter 62 - The Merit of Reciting the Padma Purāṇa, Svargakhaṇḍa < [Section 3 - Svarga-khaṇḍa (section on the heavens)]

Chapter 125 - The Merit of Listening to or Reciting This Purāna < [Section 2 - Bhūmi-khaṇḍa (section on the earth)]

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The Puranas < [Third Section]

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Part 5.3 - Karma in the Varāha period < [Chapter 3 - Development of Jyotiḥśāstra and Karman in the Literature]

Part 5.1 - Ideology in the Varāha Period < [Chapter 3 - Development of Jyotiḥśāstra and Karman in the Literature]

Part 2.2.5 - Peculiarities of Gaṇita (calculations) < [Chapter 2 - Jyotiḥśāstra and the Concept of Karman]

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