Sacred texts and scriptures have always played a leading role in Hinduism. Even today, Hinduism is known to be the world's only religion to have that many texts. The Bhagavad-Gita and the Puranas are some of the most revered texts among Hindus today. They play a significant role in everyday lives of most Hindus. They are a source of spiritual knowledge to all. .
The Puranas are a class of literary texts, all written in Sanskrit verse, whose composition dates from the 6th century BC to about 12th century A.D. They are considered very old or ancient and are a part of Smriti. They are said to be the historical literatures in Hinduism. Puranas provide origin of the universe, deeds of the Gods, and genealogy of ancient Gods. Some content is factual while myths and legends also exist.
Specifically, the Puranas are defined to have five characteristic topics:.
(1) The creation of the universe.
(2) Its destruction and renovation.
(3) The genealogy of Gods and patriarchs.
(4) The reigns of the Manus, forming the periods called Manwantaras.
(5) The history of the Solar and Lunar races of kings.
There are eighteen major Puranas, as well as a similar number of minor or subordinate Puranas. The real function of the Puranas is to create a universe in which Gods and humans interact freely. They are meant not only for the priest class, but for everyone. They are sectarian texts that laud the deity to which it is devoted as the Ultimate and Original, superior to and the creator of everything, including other conceptions of Devine. Puranas were to arouse devotion to a particular God. Most Puranas deal with lives of two Gods - Vishnu and Shiva. The most beloved Puranas are the Bhagvad Purana and the Devi Purana. .
The Bhagavad-Gita is one of the most revered Hindu scriptures. Composed much later than the Vedas, it does not constitute part of the revealed literature of the Hindus, but occupies a distinct position and in some respects unrivaled place in Indian philosophical and religious literature.
