Studies in the Epics and Puranas c10.23

c10.23

declared by Vāyu in connection with the Śvetakalpa. The description as given in the Revāmāhātmya does not support the Nāradīya Purāṇa in maintaining that the Vāyu Purāṇa contained Sarga, Manvantara, etc. (the five characteristics of the Purāṇas), the Gayāsura episode, etc; both, however, agree that Revāmāhātmya forms the second part. The probable explanation for such contradictions seems to be that the writers of the Anukramaṇīs had different texts, the Anukramaṇīs themselves being quite late, and none of the texts these writers had before them has survived in its entirety. So, much caution is required before pronouncing against the genuineness of any Purāṇa on the testimony of these Anukramaṇīs alone.