The Mahapuranas — the eighteen “great Puranas” — are the story-books of Sanatana Dharma. Where the Vedas speak in hymns and the Upanishads in philosophy, the Puranas teach through stories: of creation, of the gods and goddesses, of the avatars of Vishnu, of kings, sages and devotees, and of how to live well.
The 18 Mahapuranas at a glance
| # | Purana | Best known for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brahma Purana | Creation, and the glory of sacred places |
| 2 | Padma Purana | One of the largest; devotion to Vishnu and pilgrimage |
| 3 | Vishnu Purana | Creation, Vishnu, and the stories of Dhruva and Prahlada |
| 4 | Shiva Purana | The glory and stories of Shiva (some lists name the Vayu Purana here) |
| 5 | Bhagavata Purana | The life of Krishna and the path of devotion (bhakti) |
| 6 | Narada Purana | Dharma, devotion and sacred places, told through the sage Narada |
| 7 | Markandeya Purana | Contains the Devi Mahatmya, the great hymn to the Goddess |
| 8 | Agni Purana | An encyclopaedia of knowledge on many subjects |
| 9 | Bhavishya Purana | Framed as teachings about the future |
| 10 | Brahma Vaivarta Purana | Krishna, Radha and the Divine Feminine |
| 11 | Linga Purana | Shiva and the meaning of the linga |
| 12 | Varaha Purana | Vishnu’s boar avatar, who rescued the Earth |
| 13 | Skanda Purana | The largest Purana; Kartikeya and India’s sacred places |
| 14 | Vamana Purana | Vishnu’s dwarf avatar and King Bali |
| 15 | Kurma Purana | Vishnu’s tortoise avatar and the churning of the ocean |
| 16 | Matsya Purana | Vishnu’s fish avatar and the great flood |
| 17 | Garuda Purana | Vishnu’s teachings to Garuda, including the journey after death |
| 18 | Brahmanda Purana | The cosmic egg; includes the Lalita Sahasranama |
Traditional lists vary slightly between sources and regions.
Why the Puranas still matter
For centuries, most people did not learn dharma from philosophy but from these stories — told at bedtime, in temples, at festivals. Dhruva’s determination, Prahlada’s fearless devotion, the churning of the ocean where the nectar was won only because the Lord held everything steady from below: each story carries a teaching that is easy to remember and hard to forget.
How to begin reading them
In full, the Puranas run to hundreds of thousands of verses. For most readers the best start is a clear retelling of the heart of each, alongside the Dashavatara (the ten avatars of Vishnu) and the Bhagavad Gita.
The Illustrated Book of Sanatana Dharma retells all eighteen Mahapuranas in simple, gentle English, with the four Vedas, the ten avatars, the gods and goddesses, sacred symbols and mantras — and the complete Bhagavad Gita, all 700 verses in Sanskrit with meaning. 412 illustrated pages, instant PDF download, ₹199.
The Devi Mahatmya from the Markandeya Purana is read every Navratri as the Durga Saptashati. See our guide to reading the Durga Saptashati.
Frequently asked questions
How many Puranas are there?
Tradition counts eighteen Mahapuranas (major Puranas) and eighteen Upapuranas (minor Puranas).
What are the names of the 18 Mahapuranas?
Brahma, Padma, Vishnu, Shiva (or Vayu), Bhagavata, Narada, Markandeya, Agni, Bhavishya, Brahma Vaivarta, Linga, Varaha, Skanda, Vamana, Kurma, Matsya, Garuda and Brahmanda.
Who wrote the Puranas?
Tradition attributes them to the sage Vyasa. Scholars see them as compiled and expanded over many centuries.
Which is the largest Purana?
The Skanda Purana is the largest of the eighteen Mahapuranas.
Which Purana should I read first?
Many readers begin with the Bhagavata Purana for its stories of Krishna, or the Vishnu Purana for its clear overview of creation and the avatars.