History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s17: Extension of Purāṇa Literature.

v3.c41.s17.1

Besides the rise of these sectarian Āgamas and Tantras, the mediæval Hindu period was characterised by the amplification of the Purāṇa literature. The old eighteen Purāṇas were again amplified by the addition of sectarian matter relating to the worship of the above mentioned five deities which are properly called Purāṇic. The Purāṇa glorify Śiva and Viṣṇu, Devī and Gaṇapati and prescribe various vratas in propitiation of them. The worship of Śiva was the most popular and ten Purāṇas are devoted to the glorification of Śiva, four being devoted to that of Viṣṇu and two each of Devī and Gaṇapati.* Sun worship probably lagged behind; but the addition of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa in the 10th century A. D. gave great impetus to the worship of Viṣṇu. Different rituals and modes of worship of these deities came into vogue. The several holy places in the whole of India in connection with famous idols of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Devī, and Gaṇapati are enumerated and extolled in these Purāṇas. The Skanda Purāṇa describes eighty-four Śiva lingas in India, with Purāṇic stories in connection with the greatness of each linga. The holy places belonging to Viṣṇu, to Devī and to Gaṇapati are mentioned with appropriate stories in other Purāṇas. All this literature may be assigned to the first and second sub-periods till in the third sub-period we find the Purāṇas as they are today.