Classification of the Purāṇas

According to the Matsya-Purāṇa (Ch-53/67, 68), the three divisions of Purāṇas is valid–Sāttvika, Rājasa, Tāmasa . The significance of Viṣṇu is described more fully in the Sāttvika Purāṇas . Most of the significance of Brahma and Agni is described in the Rājasa Purāṇas . The significance of Śiva is described in the Tāmasa Purāṇas .^[1] Apart from these three, there is a narrow distinction in which the significance of Sarasvatī and Pitṛgaṇa are mostly present. The enumeration of Sāttvika Purāṇas is also specified in the Padma-Purāṇa–Vaisṇava, Nārada, Bhāgvata, Garuda, Padma and Vārāha . But it is worth nothing that this division does not have any consensus with other Purāṇas , the surprise is when surely the exponent of Śiva Bhakti places Vāyu Purāṇa under the Garuda Purāṇa as Sāttivika Purāṇas . As a result, expecting scientifically in this division is insurmountable. Garuda-Purāṇa on the other side considers three types of divisions within the Sāttivika Purāṇas .

They are:
(a) Sattvādhama–Matsya and Kurma Purāṇa,
(b) Sāttvikamadhyama–Vāyu Purāṇa,
(c) Sāttvika Uttama–Viṣṇu, Bhāgavata and Garuda Purāṇa –

sattvādhame mātsyakaurma tadāhurvāyuṃ cāhuḥ sāttvikaṃ madhyamaṃ ca |
viṣṇoḥ purāṇaṃ bhāgavataṃ purāṇaṃ sattvottme gāruḍaṃ prāhurāryāḥ ||

The Purāṇas have been divided over the variation of worshiped Gods and Goddess. According to the Kedārakhaṇḍa of the Skanda Purāṇa , Lord Śiva is represented in the ten Purāṇas , Lord Brahma in four, Devī in two and Hari in two–thus the names of the Purāṇas . Due to lack of instructions, this division cannot be measured scientifically.

In the same Purāṇa under the section called ‘Śivarahasya’ (Ch 2/30/38), another division has been done which is as follows–

1. Śaiva (about Śiva)–Śiva, Bhaviṣya, Liṅga, Mārkaṇḍeya, Vārāha, Skanda, Matsya, Kūrma, Vāmana and Brahmāṇḍa (10).

2. Vaiṣṇava (about Viṣṇu)–Viṣṇu, Bhāgavata, Nāradīya and Garuda (4).

3. Brāhma (about Brahmā)–Brahma and Padma (2).

4. Āgneya (about Agni)–Agni Purāṇa (1).

5. Sāvitri (about Sūrya)–Brahmavaivarta (1).

Eighteen Mahā Purāṇas have been classified in many ways. Different Purāṇas have adopted different views in this subject. These two divisions can be done–ancient and post-ancient, based on the Purāṇic philosophy. According to this criterion Vāyu, Brahmāṇḍa, Matsya and Viṣṇu seem to be ancient Purāṇas , because the five subjects of Purāṇas are mentioned in all four in the proper extent.

Apart from these, Purāṇas should be considered as insular in the post-oriental category. There is another classification of Purāṇas from the idea of deity. According to the Padma Purāṇa, Matsya, Kūrma, Liṅga, Śiva, Skanda , Agni–these are the six Tāmasa Purāṇas. Brahmāṇḍa, Brahmavaivarta , Mārkandeya Bhaviṣya, Vāmana and Brahma –these are the Rājasa Purāṇas . Viṣṇu, Nārada, Bhāgavata, Garuda, Padma and Vāraha –these six are considered as Sāttvika Purāṇas . This classification is done by considering Visṇu as Sāttvika God. Here Tāmasa, Rājasa and Sāttvika Purāṇas have the same number. But the Matsya Purāṇa tells something different from this.

In its view, the descriptive Purāṇas of Viṣṇu is Sāttvika, the exponent of Brahma and Agni is Rājasa Purāṇa, the exponent of Śiva is Tāmasa Purāṇa and Purāṇas describing the greatness of ancestors are considered as ‘Saṃkīrna’ Purāṇa .

sātvikeṣu purāṇeṣu māhātmyamadhikaṃ hareḥ
rājaseṣu ca māhātmyamadhikaṃ brahmaṇo viduḥ |
tadvadagneśca māhātmyaṃ tāmaseṣu śivasya ca
saṃkīrṇeṣu sarasvatyaḥ pitṛṇāṃ ca nigadyate ||
  Matsya Purāṇa (ch. 53/68, 69)

These five classes of Purāṇas have been also performed in Tamil texts:

1. Brahma–Brahma and Padma Purāṇa

2. Surya–Brahmavaivarta Purāṇa

3. Agni–Agni Purāṇa

4. Śiva–Śiva, Skanda, Liṅga, Kūrma, Vāmana, Varāha, Bhaviṣya, Matsya, Mārkaṇḍeya and Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa .

5. Viṣṇu–Nārada, Śrīmadbhāgavata, Garuda and Viṣṇu Purāna .

This means that the variation of these gross classifications is due to their different views. Modern scholars have prescribed six classes of Purāṇas according to the subject, after conducting a thorough and critical examination of the subjects mentioned in the Purāṇas :

1. The first class contains an encyclopedia of literature. This category includes Garuda, Agni and Nārada Purāṇa in which the ancient teachings are summarized very well.

2. The second class mainly describes the pilgrimages and vows. Padma Purāṇa, Skanda Purāṇa and Bhavisya Purāṇa are counted in this department.

3. The third class includes Brahma, Bhāgavata and Brahmavarivarta Purāṇa .

4. Historical Purāṇas are enumerated in the fourth category–‘Historical Purāṇas ’ refers to the Purāṇas in which the kings of Kali Yuga have been specifically described, aiming at the vision of history. Such class consists of Vāyu and Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa .

5. In the fifth class there are includes the communal Purāṇa as Linga , Vāmana and Mārkandeya Purāṇa .

6. The sixth class counts the Vārāha, Kurma and Matsya Purāṇa in which for excessive modification of lessons the original text has been lost.

This classification should be understood only in general.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Matsya Purāṇa–53/67, 68