Brahmanda Purana

One of the eighteen Mahapuranas, a genre of ancient Indian scriptures

Template:Hindu scriptures

Adhyatma Ramayana verses from the Brahmanda Purana

The Brahmanda Purana is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas, a genre of ancient Indian scriptures. It is a Sanskrit text and is part of the Puranic literature of Hinduism. The text is named after the "Brahmanda" or the "cosmic egg," a concept in Hindu cosmology that describes the universe.

Structure and Content

The Brahmanda Purana is traditionally divided into four parts, known as Khandas. These are:

Prakriya Khanda

The Prakriya Khanda deals with the creation of the universe, the genealogy of gods, sages, and kings, and the description of the Manvantaras, which are the cycles of creation and destruction in Hindu cosmology.

Anushanga Khanda

This section includes various legends and stories, including those of the solar dynasty and the lunar dynasty. It also contains the famous Lalitopakhyana, which narrates the story of the goddess Lalita and her victory over the demon Bhandasura.

Upodghata Khanda

The Upodghata Khanda is a collection of philosophical discourses and hymns. It includes discussions on the nature of the Brahman, the ultimate reality in Hindu philosophy, and the principles of Dharma and Karma.

Upasamhara Khanda

The final section, the Upasamhara Khanda, contains the Adhyatma Ramayana, a spiritual and philosophical retelling of the Ramayana. This section emphasizes the Bhakti (devotion) aspect of the epic and is often recited as a devotional text.

Significance

The Brahmanda Purana is significant for its detailed cosmological theories and its influence on later Hindu texts. It provides insights into the ancient Hindu understanding of the universe and the cycles of time. The text is also important for its inclusion of the Adhyatma Ramayana, which has been influential in the Bhakti movement.

Related pages

• Puranas
• Hindu cosmology
• Adhyatma Ramayana
• Lalita
• Brahman