Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c7.160

c7.160

Fourthly, as regards their value and efficacy. The brahmans asserted a supreme position for the Veda, to dispute which was blasphemy, but the Puranas claimed even higher merit for themselves; thus, to give only a few instances, it is said the Purana destroys all sin;⁵ it gives every blessing and even final emancipation from existence;⁶ it bestows union with Brahmā;⁷ it raises one to Viṣṇu: ⁸ that is, in short, the Puranas gave blessings equal, or rather superior, to anything the Vedas could give.⁹ It is said that the Purana should be heard even by brahmans who attained the utmost bounds of sacred knowledge (brahma-para),¹⁰ and that even tales in the Purana would make a brahman know the Veda.¹¹