VAMANA PURANA

According to Manu- “Vedas are primary source of religion” the Puranas, however, are the essence of the religion of Hindu society. Puranas are also regarded as the chief source for the detailed explanation of the Vedas. They, therefore, occupy a significant place in the ancient literature of India. The Puranas have obtained the name of Pancalaksana because their contents generally embrace five topics namely (1) Primary creation or cosmogony, (2) secondary creation, (3) genealogy of gods and patriarchs, (4) reigns of the Manus, (5) history of the solar and lunar dynasties. Vamana Purana is placed at serial number fourteen in the list of the eighteen Puranas mentioned in various scriptures. But it does not mean that it is of lesser importance than the other Puranas. Although, it is smaller in size, yet it has all the constituents of the other Puranas. Also its style of treatment of the subject matter is clearer and more analytical than the style of other Puranas and Up-puranas. One of its special features is the amazing variations in the famous ancient stories as related in other Puranas. Many of the stories in the Vamana Purana have been written for the benefit of the common man with a view to make them understand the basic elements of cosmology and religion.