Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c10.81

c10.81

The other Purāṇas and Upapurāṇas are politically in line with those noticed above. In authority, the Purāṇas admittedly rank below the Vedas but later they were recognised along with Smṛiti as sources of law. Attempts were made to bring the two classes of writings into mutual harmony. Whole chapters from earlier writings were sometimes incorporated into Purāṇas. Not only the Śrīmad Bhāgavata but sections of other Purāṇas also have formed the subject of long commentaries ever since. For instance, the Sūtasaṃhitā, incorporated in the Skanda Purāṇa, has a commentary called Tātparyadīpikā by Mādhavācārya himself. In this species of literature which still continues to grow, Purāṇic texts are explained and reconciled to each other and to Śruti and Smṛiti. The importance of Purāṇas extends beyond Brahmanic circles. The Purāṇic tradition, style and doctrine exercised a deep influence on Jaina and on Mahāyāna Buddhistic literature.