| Part of a series on |
| Hindu scriptures and texts |
|---|
 |
| Related Hindu texts |
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Winternitz (1981), p. 512.
- ↑ Mohanty (2004), p. 11.
- ↑ Rocher (1986), p. 221.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Rocher (1986), pp. 220–221.
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- 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.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Original text in Sanskrit at the Wayback Machine (archived 2014-11-06)