Question

What do you mean by the Puranas?

Answer 1

The term 'Purana' literally means old. The Puranas contain earlier Hindu religious stories about Gods and Goddesses, such as Vishnu, Shiva, Durga or Parvati. Besides, there are accounts of the creation of the world and about kings.

The Puranas were written in simple Sanskrit verse and were meant to be heard by everyone, including women and shudras, who were not allowed to study the Vedas. The Puranas were recited in temples by priests and people came to listen to them.