Studies in the Epics and Puranas c8.115

c8.115

According to the Viṣṇu Purāṇa, the only god Janārdana takes the designation of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva, according as he creates, preserves or destroys.⁵⁹ This, as has already been observed, is the invariable doctrine of the Purāṇas, the only difference being in styling the creator in accordance with the sectarian zeal. Thus, e.g., whereas the Vaiṣṇava Purāṇas would credit Viṣṇu with creation, the Śaiva Purāṇas would bring in Śiva for the same effect; the Brahmavaivarta calls in the aid of Kṛṣṇa for the same purpose. On the whole there is a general agreement with regard to cosmogonic accounts in the Purāṇas.