Saura-purana (analytical study)
by Priyanku Chakraborty | 2019 | 92,293 words
This page relates ‘Methodology’ of the study on the Saura-Purana—an important Upapurana associated with the Puranic Pashupata sect of Shaivism—and offers crucial insights into the socio-religious, philosophical, and cultural history of India. The study further delves into the oral, literary, and archaeological context of Purana literature (such as the Saurapurana), highlighting its intricate connections with Vedic and Tantric traditions.
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Part 6 - Methodology
• Research is an incessant process towards attaining the true knowledge. So, newer investigations march forward basing on the refutation or recognition of the results of previous investigations. Here we have accepted the established findings related to the Mahā-purāṇas and Upa-purāṇas without going through the details of the process of reasoning like opponent, doubts, contradiction etc. However, in the cases of established opinions where we beg to differ, the recognised methods of reasoning have been adopted. For instance, the modern scholars have some unanimously accepted view in regard to whether the Purāṇas may be treated as a source of history or not. So, we have made no discussion on this subject. We have therefore, proceeded towards our goal inheriting the spirit of proper scientific study of the Purāṇas that can unfold the knots of Indian cultural history. For this reason we have not engaged ourselves in the matters like the meaning of the term ‘Purāṇa’, its definition, elements, divisions; number of the Purāṇas, time of their composition and their authors; problem of the sūta, sources of the Purāṇas etc.[1] which are widely discussed by the predecessors. Of course, some of these matters have appeared in our discussion in the thesis whenever felt necessary. As for example, the relation of the Purāṇas with the Vedic literature has appeared in the concerned chapter of the thesis in course of investigation of the Vedic tradition in the Saura-purāṇa
• The results of investigation have been presented primarily through analytical discourse after studying the published texts and references of the Saura-purāṇa The references related to the Saura-purāṇa as mentioned earlier, have come to our benefit. Besides the Saura-purāṇa we had to study other Purāṇas also with a view to making a comparative study.
• To have a clear knowledge about the time of the Saura-purāṇa, we have felt it necessary to study the Indian history beginning from the Vedic age to the ancient and mediaeval period, particularly the history of the evolution of religion in India.
• We had to make an acquaintance with the different Sanskrit and Pali texts, such as, the other Purāṇas like Skanda-purāṇa, Liṅga-purāṇa, Viṣṇu-purāṇa, Kūrma-purāṇa, Devībhāgavata-purāṇa and so on; the Pāśupatasūtra along with Kauṇḍinya’s commentary, Śrikarabhāṣya of the Brahmasūtra; the Vedic and Tantric texts; philosophical texts like the Tantravārtika of Kumārilabhaṭṭa, Ṣaḍdarśanasamuccaya of Haribhadrasūri, Sarvadarśanasaṃgraha of Mādhavācārya etc.; the Buddhist texts Dīghanikāyaa, Niddesa, Sādhanamālā etc. We also consulted the historical reports, archaeological findings etc. These might be help for the better understanding of the Puranic thoughts, concepts, beliefs and practices.
• The method of citation bibliography was followed in course of references and bibliography.
• An intensive study on a particular Purāṇa generally emphasises on gathering data regarding the ritualistic, philosophical and literary facts of the respective Purāṇa. Our predecessors have also investigated these aspects of the Saura-purāṇa We have realized that along with the above-mentioned method, a Purāṇa should be studied through analytical approach that would bring to light the unrevealed aspects of the Purāṇa. We have tried to bring this out in our thesis, because the Saura-purāṇa is an ocean of gems in this regard.
The entire research work has been presented in five chapters’ preceded by an introduction and succeeded by a conclusion. After a brief discourse of the Saura-purāṇa and its Manuscripts, time of composition, rites and rituals, theological and philosophical discourses etc. we have laid emphasis on the legends and accounts described therein. Further we tried to point out the Vedic and Tantric elements of this Purāṇa. Endeavour has been made to show how this Purāṇa has followed the general path of the other Purāṇas regarding the Buddha and his doctrine. Moreover, discussions have been made in respect of the approach of this Purāṇa towards different religious cults and sects.