The Saura Purana (Sanskrit: सौर पुराण, Saura Purāņa) is one of the Shaiva Upapuranas, a genre of Hindu religious texts. The printed editions of this text have 69 chapters (adhyāyas). The extant Saura Purana describes itself as a supplement (khila) to the Brahma Purana which consisting of two Samhitas with the first being dictated by Sanatkumara and the second by Surya to Vaivasvata Manu.[1][2] It is presumed that an earlier version of this text different from the extant one existed but has since been lost.[1][3]

Content

The extant Saura Purana, though proclaimed by Surya, eulogises Shiva and his shakti Parvati. This text praises Varanasi and describes its various sacred places and lingas.[4] It consists of a version of the narrative of Urvasi and Pururavas in chapter 31.[1] It also deals with Devi worship, merits of dānas (donations), vratas (vows) and brief descriptions of the Puranas. Chapters 38-40 contain attacks on Madhvacharya, an early medieval philosopher and his works in the form of a prophecy.In Chapter 61 the gods invoke Agni' in a very beautiful stuti (or praise). [4]

Printed editions

The early printed editions of this text published by the Anandashrama (Anandashrama Sanskrit Series 18), Pune in 1889 and the Vangavasi Press, Calcutta in 1908 (along with a Bengali translation) are practically identical.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Winternitz (1981), p. 512.
  2. ↑ Mohanty (2004), p. 11.
  3. ↑ Rocher (1986), p. 221.
  4. 1 2 3 Rocher (1986), pp. 220–221.

Bibliography

  • Mohanty, Snigdha (2004). The Saurapurana: A Critical Study (Thesis). Utkal University. hdl:10603/129627 – via Shodhganga.
  • Rocher, Ludo (1986). The Purāṇas. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz. ISBN 3-447-02522-0.
  • Winternitz, Maurice (1981). A History of Indian Literature. Vol. 1. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-0264-0.
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