The Puranas: All 18 Explained Simply
The Puranas are eighteen great Sanskrit story books of gods, creation and dharma, attributed to Veda Vyasa. Read each explained simply, with its key stories and why families still read it.
QUICK ANSWER
Stories
30
Source
the eighteen Mahapuranas attributed to Veda Vyasa
Free next step
free kundli (muft janam kundli)
Puranas: every guide
| Guide | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Vishnu Puran | Vishnu Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Shiv Puran | Shiv Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Shrimad Bhagavata Puran | Shrimad Bhagavata Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Garud Puran | Garud Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Markandeya Puran | Markandeya Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Padma Puran | Padma Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Brahma Puran | Brahma Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Brahmanda Puran | Brahmanda Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Brahmavaivarta Puran | Brahmavaivarta Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Linga Puran | Linga Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Skanda Puran | Skanda Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Agni Puran | Agni Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Matsya Puran | Matsya Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Kurma Puran | Kurma Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Varaha Puran | Varaha Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Vamana Puran | Vamana Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Narada Puran | Narada Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| Bhavishya Puran | Bhavishya Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. The Puranas teach dharma through stories families can remember. |
| What are the Puranas | The Puranas are ancient Sanskrit story books of gods, kings, creation and dharma. Stories carry wisdom further than rules. |
| 18 Puranas list | The list of all eighteen Mahapuranas grouped by Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. Many books, one dharma. |
| Garud Puran: the soul's journey after death | What the Garud Puran says happens after death, explained gently. Live kindly; that is the real preparation. |
| Garud Puran niti: lessons for life | The life lessons in the Garud Puran on habits, food and conduct. Small habits build a good life. |
| Shiv Puran: simple worship | The simple ways to please Shiva that the Shiv Puran describes. Shiva is pleased by simplicity. |
| Bhagwat katha saptah | The seven day reading of the Bhagavata Puran. Seven days of listening can change a life. |
| Devi Bhagavata Puran | The Purana that praises the goddess as the supreme power. The mother holds the world. |
| Dhruv in the Vishnu Puran | The Vishnu Puran's story of Dhruv, the child who became the pole star. Steady faith makes you unshakeable. |
| Puranas and astrology (jyotish) | How the Puranas explain the planets, nakshatras and eclipses. Stories give the sky its meaning. |
| Puranas and vrats | Which Purana each popular vrat katha comes from. Every fast has a story behind it. |
| Upapuranas | The eighteen minor Puranas, such as the Ganesha and Kalika Puranas. Every region keeps its own stories. |
| Puran stories for children | The best Purana stories to tell children. Children remember stories more than rules. |
What Puranas means
There are 18 Mahapuranas.
Most vrat kathas come from them.
The Bhagavata is the most widely read.
Puranas at a glance
The key facts for Puranas, in one place.
Stories
30
Source
the eighteen Mahapuranas attributed to Veda Vyasa
Free next step
free kundli (muft janam kundli)
How many Purana pages are on KismatAstro?
30, each with the story, its meaning, simple steps and links to dates and related guides.
Where should I start with puranas?
Start with Vishnu Puran, then follow the links inside each page.
How to Puranas
Here is the simple traditional way families approach Puranas, step by step, so you can follow it at home without pressure.
- Bathe and wear clean clothes
- Light a lamp before the deity
- Remember Ganesha first
- Begin with attention
- End with a prayer for forgiveness and share prasad
Are these puranas free to read?
Yes. Every story is free in full. A personal written reading is offered only below the free content.
What sources are used for puranas?
the eighteen Mahapuranas attributed to Veda Vyasa, with links to trusted references such as Britannica on each page.
Puranon ki kahaniyan
Puran purani kathayein hain jo Vedon ki baat sabko samjhati hain. Har vrat aur tyohar ki katha kisi Puran se aati hai.
People phrase it many ways: garud puran, shiv puran, vishnu puran, 18 puranas. All of these point to the same reading, and this page answers them together.
Are puranas available in Hinglish?
Each page has a short Hinglish section, and the main story is in simple English.
What is Puranas?
Puranas is a Purana families read at home and in temples. This page explains its meaning, when to read it and how.
What you may be feeling about puranas
If you came to puranas hoping for good news, that hope deserves respect. Maybe you came here because you want your prayer, puja or fast to bring peace, a good marriage, health or progress for your family. Wanting a sign that life is about to open up is one of the oldest and most human feelings there is, and it is the reason families have looked at the sky for thousands of years.
If puranas is making you uneasy, that is valid too. Or maybe you are anxious that a wrong word, a missed item or an imperfect fast will undo your effort. You are not being silly or superstitious. When a word like this enters a family conversation, it is natural for the heart to tighten and for the mind to ask what it means for the people you love.
Our tradition takes both feelings seriously. The texts themselves answer this worry. Krishna says in the Gita that even a leaf or a drop of water offered with love is accepted, and every aarti ends by asking forgiveness for any mistake. So whatever you are feeling right now, our elders felt it too and wrote about it.
The same tradition then softens the first reaction. So your sincerity is the real offering. Mistakes are forgiven in the very words of the prayer, and devotion grows by doing, not by being perfect. A single factor in a chart, a calendar or a name describes a theme to work with, not a sentence that is already written. Effort, timing, good company and a calm mind shape how it unfolds.
So hold the feeling gently, and then look at the whole picture. That is where one word turns into a clear, hopeful direction, and it is exactly what a personal reading is for.
If you are hoping for something good
Treat it as encouragement and move with it, because a good sign works best when you act on it.
Name the wish
Write in one line what you hope for. That keeps the reading tied to real life.
Take one step this week
Read the meaning once before you begin.
Check the timing
Choose a calm time and a clean place.
Why timing matters
In Jyotish a promise in the chart shows its fruit in the matching dasha and transit, so knowing the window turns hope into a plan.
If it is making you anxious
First breathe. Then remember three things the tradition itself teaches.
Nothing in a chart is only bad
Every factor has a light side, and most patterns are balanced by others in the same chart.
Cancellation rules exist for a reason
Classical texts list many conditions that soften or cancel a difficult pattern, which is why one label never decides a life.
Remedies are gentle and optional
Do it with family if you can, and end by asking forgiveness for any mistake.
Can I read Puranas at home?
Yes. A clean place, a lamp and attention are enough. Temples add music and many voices, but home devotion is complete.
What is the best time to read Puranas?
Morning after a bath or evening at lamp time are the most common. Festival days linked to it are special.
Why puranas still matter
There are 18 Mahapuranas.
Most vrat kathas come from them.
The Bhagavata is the most widely read.
- Vishnu Puran: vishnu Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Shiv Puran: shiv Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Shrimad Bhagavata Puran: shrimad Bhagavata Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Garud Puran: garud Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Markandeya Puran: markandeya Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Padma Puran: padma Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Brahma Puran: brahma Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Brahmanda Puran: brahmanda Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Brahmavaivarta Puran: brahmavaivarta Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Linga Puran: linga Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Skanda Puran: skanda Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Agni Puran: agni Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Matsya Puran: matsya Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Kurma Puran: kurma Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Varaha Puran: varaha Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Vamana Puran: vamana Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Narada Puran: narada Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- Bhavishya Puran: bhavishya Puran is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
- What are the Puranas: the Puranas are ancient Sanskrit story books of gods, kings, creation and dharma.
- 18 Puranas list: the list of all eighteen Mahapuranas grouped by Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.
- Garud Puran: the soul's journey after death: what the Garud Puran says happens after death, explained gently.
- Garud Puran niti: lessons for life: the life lessons in the Garud Puran on habits, food and conduct.
- Shiv Puran: simple worship: the simple ways to please Shiva that the Shiv Puran describes.
- Bhagwat katha saptah: the seven day reading of the Bhagavata Puran.
- Devi Bhagavata Puran: the Purana that praises the goddess as the supreme power.
- Dhruv in the Vishnu Puran: the Vishnu Puran's story of Dhruv, the child who became the pole star.
- Puranas and astrology (jyotish): how the Puranas explain the planets, nakshatras and eclipses.
- Puranas and vrats: which Purana each popular vrat katha comes from.
- Upapuranas: the eighteen minor Puranas, such as the Ganesha and Kalika Puranas.
- Puran stories for children: the best Purana stories to tell children.
Is there a wrong way to read Puranas?
Only a careless heart. Small mistakes in words or steps are forgiven; tradition itself asks forgiveness at the end.
Can women read Puranas?
Yes. Women have kept these traditions alive in every home. Family customs on certain days differ; follow what gives you peace.
Where puranas leads on KismatAstro
This page gathers every Purana on KismatAstro. Start with Vishnu Puran, Shiv Puran, Shrimad Bhagavata Puran, then follow the links inside each story.
Many tales in puranas are retold in the mythology stories. Most of the vrat kathas come from the Puranas. the deity guides draw on the Puranas for each god's story.
Stories like this are why families still look for a good day before a new step. You can see today's timings in the free free kundli (muft janam kundli), and plan ahead with festival dates (tyohar kab hai).
Can children read Puranas?
Yes. Children learn by joining in. Start with the first line and the meaning in simple words.
How long does Puranas take?
Usually five to twenty minutes. Take the time you have; sincerity matters more than length.
What the old texts and scholars say
Our retelling follows the eighteen Mahapuranas attributed to Veda Vyasa. Versions differ by region and family, and every one of them is treated with respect here.
If you would like to read further, Britannica's entry on the Puranas gives a clear, well sourced overview: Britannica's entry on the Puranas.
For a second view, see Hinduism portal on Wikisource, which keeps public domain translations.
Is Puranas the same everywhere in India?
The heart is shared. Words, tunes and steps vary by region and family, and every version is valid.
Do I need a pandit for Puranas?
No. A pandit can guide a larger ceremony, but the home practice described here is complete for any family.
A gentle seven day practice inspired by puranas
You do not need a big ritual. These small steps keep the story alive in daily life, and none of them cost money.
- Day 1: read the meaning slowly
- Day 2: do it once with family
- Day 3: learn the first line by heart
- Day 4: light a lamp at dusk
- Day 5: share prasad or help someone
- Day 6: read the linked story
- Day 7: note how you feel
Where does Puranas come from?
The sources section names the tradition and links to trusted references you can read further.
Puranas ka arth kya hai?
Seedhe shabdon mein, Puranas bhagwan se prem aur sharan ki prarthana hai. Arth samajh kar padhne se mann shaant hota hai.
When and how to read Puranas
The Puranas are eighteen great Sanskrit story books of gods, creation and dharma, attributed to Veda Vyasa. Read each explained simply, with its key stories and why families still read it. Families usually read it in the morning, or over seven days for a katha. There is no single correct clock time in the old texts; what matters is a calm mind, a clean place and attention. If you are new to it, start with the short version and add more as it becomes a habit.
Many readers ask whether they must follow every step exactly. Tradition answers kindly: there are 18 Mahapuranas. A sincere attempt done with love is complete, and a missed detail is never a cause for fear. Elders often say that the practice shapes the person more than the person perfects the practice.
Puranas: practical guide
The key practical points for Puranas, at a glance.
Best time
in the morning, or over seven days for a katha
What you need
a clean place and the text, or a reader
How long
5 to 20 minutes
Who can
Anyone in the family
Read next
the story behind Puranas
How many times should I do Puranas?
Once with attention is complete. Some families repeat it 3, 11 or 108 times on special days.
Can I play Puranas on my phone instead?
Listening is a good start, especially when learning. Joining in with your own voice brings the most peace.
Common worries about Puranas, answered gently
These are the questions families send us most often. Each worry is real, and each has a calm, traditional answer.
- I mispronounced a word in the Purana. Tradition says the feeling reaches before the sound. Learn slowly; the effort itself is devotion.
- I missed a day of the Purana. Begin again the next day. No missed day erases earlier devotion, and no god is angered by a busy life.
- I do not have every item. Use what you have. A lamp, water and a flower are enough, the texts say so themselves.
- I am not sure I believe fully. Doubt is human. Many find that the practice brings calm first and faith later. Go at your own pace.
- Something bad happened after I started. Hard times come to everyone and are not a punishment for prayer. Keep the practice as a support, and seek practical help too.
Does Puranas help with marriage or career?
It brings calm and focus, which help any decision. For a personal question, your own chart gives the specific picture.
Which deity is Puranas for?
The page above names the deity and links to their full guide.
Puranas across India
In North India the Purana reading is usually in Hindi or Awadhi, sung with a bell and a ghee lamp. In Maharashtra and Gujarat local language versions are common. In South India Sanskrit and Tamil, Telugu or Kannada forms are used with nadaswaram music.
Bengal and Odisha add conch shells and ululation. Punjab and Himachal homes often sing together after dinner. Overseas families in Dubai, London or Toronto keep the same words with a small home altar.
Whichever version your family follows, it is valid. KismatAstro tells the commonly shared form and respects every regional and family custom.
Puranas and your rashi
Every rashi can read Puranas. Astrology (jyotish) adds only a gentle flavour, a way to make the practice feel more personal. If you know your Moon sign (chandra rashi), find it below. If not, the free moon sign (chandra rashi) calculator tells you in a minute.
- Mesh: your rashi brings fire and quick devotion; keep it short and heartfelt.
- Vrishabh: your rashi loves steady ritual; the same time each day suits you.
- Mithun: your rashi connects through words; reading the meaning aloud helps.
- Kark: your rashi feels it deeply; doing it with family comforts you.
- Simha: your rashi shines with confidence; lead the family in it.
- Kanya: your rashi values precision; the step by step order calms you.
- Tula: your rashi seeks balance; doing it with your partner suits you.
- Vrishchik: your rashi goes deep; quiet evening practice suits you.
- Dhanu: your rashi loves wisdom; read the story behind it.
- Makar: your rashi values discipline; a fixed weekly day works best.
- Kumbh: your rashi thinks of others; share prasad or help someone after.
- Meen: your rashi is naturally devotional; music and lamps lift you.
Taking Puranas one step further
Devotion often brings a personal question to the surface: a marriage that is taking time, a job, a child's future or simple peace at home. That is a natural moment to look at your own chart. The Gita and Puranas speak of karma and dharma; your birth chart (janam kundli) is the traditional map of your own path.
Begin free with the free kundli (muft janam kundli). If you would like a personal reading written from your own birth details, our reports and prices explains what each report covers, and the offer below this page shows the current price. The free content above stays free, always.
Carrying Puranas into your own life
Puranas is not a test you can fail. It is a story that has comforted families for centuries, and it asks only for attention and a kind heart.
If something in it touched a hope or a worry in your own life, a marriage, a child, money or health, that is a good moment to look at your own chart calmly. The free kundli (muft janam kundli) shows it, and a personal written reading is there if you want more depth.
People also ask
Can I do Puranas without a bath?
A bath is customary, but if you are unwell or travelling, washing hands and face is accepted by most families.
Is Puranas a remedy for a dosha?
Tradition links prayers to planets, but it is devotion, not a sure fix. A calm reading of your chart shows what really matters.
Can I share Puranas on WhatsApp?
Yes. This page has a clean link and share image, so family see the meaning and the sources together.
What should I read after Puranas?
Follow the in-text links to the story, festival or vrat linked to it.
Is Puranas in the Purana tradition everywhere?
It is shared across India with local variations in language and tune.
Is Puranas a true story?
For believers it is sacred history; scholars read it as scripture and literature. Both views agree on its value: it has shaped Indian values, festivals and family life for centuries.
Can children read Puranas?
Yes. Tell it in short scenes and let them ask questions. Most families start with the parts about courage, kindness and keeping promises.
Which day is best to read or hear Puranas?
Any calm time is right. Many families prefer the morning after a bath, or the evening lamp time, and festival days linked to the story.
Do I need a pandit to understand Puranas?
No. The story is for everyone. A pandit or elder can add depth, but reading it with sincere attention is complete by itself.
Why do versions of Puranas differ?
India has many languages and regional traditions, and each retelling adds local colour. The core message stays the same across versions.
Is reading Puranas a remedy?
Tradition says reading sacred stories brings peace and good thoughts. It is a practice of devotion and reflection, not a promised fix for any problem.
Can women read Puranas during periods?
Customs differ by family. Many modern teachers say devotion and reading are never barred; others keep a pause from temple rituals. Follow what gives your family peace.
What is the Hinglish meaning of Puranas?
Simple shabdon mein, Puranas ek aisi katha hai jo dharma, prem aur dheeraj sikhati hai. Bade ise tyohar aur vrat ke din sunate hain.
How is Puranas linked to marriage?
Many Hindu stories are about promises, partnership and patience, which is why families retell them before weddings. Kundli matching (kundli milan) is the practical step families take alongside.
How is Puranas linked to festivals?
Most Indian festivals celebrate a moment from a sacred story, so knowing the story makes the festival far more meaningful for children and elders alike.
Can I share Puranas with family on WhatsApp?
Yes. Every KismatAstro page has a clean link and a share image, so relatives see the same story with its sources.
Is Puranas the same in North and South India?
The heart of the story is shared. Names, temple traditions and festival days can differ, and both are valid.
What should I read after Puranas?
Follow the links inside the story. They lead to the festival, the vrat, the marriage custom or the chart reading that grows out of it.
Is Puranas in the Puranas or the epics?
The section on sources on this page names the text it comes from, along with a trusted outside reference you can open.
Does KismatAstro follow one sampradaya?
No. We retell the commonly shared version and respect every tradition, Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta and Smarta alike.
Can Puranas help with worry?
Many people find that a familiar story calms the mind, because it reminds them that difficulty has always been followed by grace. If worry feels heavy, please also talk to someone you trust.
Why do elders insist on hearing Puranas?
Listening together is itself the point. It keeps the family close and passes values to the next generation without a lecture.
Is there a mantra linked to Puranas?
Many families chant the name of the deity in the story, such as Om Namah Shivaya or Shri Ram Jai Ram. A simple name chant is complete in itself.
Can I read Puranas in English?
Yes. This page tells it in plain English with a little Hinglish, and the sources section points to well known translations.
What is the next step after reading Puranas?
If the story stirred a question about your own life, the free kundli (muft janam kundli) and matching tools are a gentle next step. A personal written reading is offered below the free content.
Festive sale prices till Sunday 8 November, Diwali night · 26 days left
Kundli report
Karm aur dharm ki baat padh li. Aapka apna raasta aapki kundli mein hai, pura report padhiye.
- ✓ Placements table and South Indian chart, shown once
- ✓ Personality, career and money, love and marriage, and non-medical health notes
- ✓ Strengths and watch-outs from this chart
- ✓ Current mahadasha and antardasha, and a year-ahead timetable
Also popular
Career and name report
Career themes from your 10th house and dasha, plus your name number, mulank and bhagyank.
QUICK ANSWER
What you get with puran
- A full free result, never hidden.
- Simple words with traditional terms explained.
- Server calculated, works on any phone.
- Links to the next useful reading.
How to use it
- Enter the details asked on the page.
- Tap the button to see your result.
- Read the summary first, then the table.
- Open a related reading below if you want more.
The four elements
| Element | Rashis | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Fire | Mesh, Simha, Dhanu | Energy, courage |
| Earth | Vrishabh, Kanya, Makar | Patience, practical sense |
| Air | Mithun, Tula, Kumbh | Ideas, conversation |
| Water | Kark, Vrishchik, Meen | Feeling, intuition |
People also ask
Is puran free?
Yes. The full result shows instantly and is never blurred.
How accurate is puran?
It follows classical rules. Read it as a reflection, not a fixed forecast.
Do I need my birth time (janam ka samay)?
Name and number tools do not. Chart based tools give a better reading with the time.
Popular searches on this topic
puran
Also searched as
Related terms
- puran free
- puran online
Longer phrases
- free puran by date of birth (janam tarikh)
- puran in hindi and english
Questions people ask
- How does puran work?
- Is puran accurate?