Brahmānda Purana

Brahmānda Purana

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The Brahmānda Purana is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas, a genre of ancient Indian texts that are part of the Puranic literature. It is a Sanskrit text and is considered to be one of the oldest Puranas, with its composition dating back to the early centuries of the 1st millennium CE.

Etymology

The name "Brahmānda" is derived from two Sanskrit words: Brahma, meaning "cosmos" or "universe", and anda, meaning "egg". Thus, the title "Brahmānda Purana" can be translated as "The Purana of the Cosmic Egg".

Structure and Content

The Brahmānda Purana is traditionally divided into four parts:

1. Prakriya-pada: This section deals with the creation of the universe, cosmology, and the genealogy of gods and sages.
2. Anushanga-pada: It includes various legends, stories, and the description of the solar and lunar dynasties.
3. Upodghata-pada: This part contains philosophical discussions, particularly on the nature of time and the concept of Kalpas.
4. Upasamhara-pada: The concluding section, which includes hymns, prayers, and rituals.

The text is known for its detailed description of the cosmology and the geography of the universe, including the concept of Lokas (worlds) and the Mount Meru.

Significance

The Brahmānda Purana is significant for its encyclopedic nature, covering a wide range of topics from cosmology, mythology, and geography to philosophy and theology. It is also notable for containing the Adhyatma Ramayana, a spiritual and philosophical retelling of the Ramayana.

Adhyatma Ramayana

The Adhyatma Ramayana is a part of the Brahmānda Purana and is considered an important text in the Rama tradition. It presents the story of Rama with a focus on the spiritual and philosophical aspects, emphasizing the concept of Bhakti (devotion) and the nature of the self.

Influence and Legacy

The Brahmānda Purana has influenced various aspects of Hindu culture and religious practices. Its cosmological descriptions have been referenced in other Puranic texts and have contributed to the development of Hindu cosmology.

Manuscripts and Editions

The Brahmānda Purana exists in several versions and manuscripts, with variations in content and structure. Critical editions have been published by scholars, attempting to reconstruct the original text from the available manuscripts.

See Also

• Puranas
• Hindu cosmology
• Adhyatma Ramayana

References

• Rocher, Ludo. The Puranas. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, 1986.
• Wilson, H. H. The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition. John Murray, 1840.