Puranas (Purana in Sanskrit means old) are any number of texts thought to have been written between the 3rd century and 15th century CE. They are found in both Hinduism and Jainism. They run a whole gamut of topics – myths, legends, cosmology, cosmogony, astronomy, grammar, genealogies of gods, customs, festivals, constructions of temples, places of pilgrimage etc.
Most Puranas are written in Sanskrit (in couplet style verses), though some are in regional languages. There are 18 maha-puranas (Great Puranas), 18 upa-puranas (Minor Puranas) and a number of sthala-puranas (Local Puranas).
Puranas are thought of as Smriti texts (‘that which is remembered’) and they do not enjoy the scripture status accorded to the Vedas – which are considered Shruti texts (‘that which is heard’). Even though many Puranas are devoted to a particular Hindu deity such as Shiva, Vishnu or Devi (goddess), they seem to have no problem in making glorifying references to other gods. In that regard, Puranas cannot be regarded as strictly sectarian.
The Bhagavata Purana is the most well-known Puranic text. It’s verses portraying the early life of Krishna are very popular.