The Purana Index v1.c3.s1.14

v1.c3.s1.14

From this digression we shall revert to the topic under discussion. By the time of the Atharvaveda Samhitā (v. 19.9; 11.7.24), the Purāṇas had assumed some independent form and their compositions were generally familiar with the literary people of the land, though not with the masses. It took some more time before they were familiarised among the masses, and the latter took any interest in them. A reference in the Atharvaveda Samhitā from the verse addressed to the sage Nārada is evidently taken from some Purāṇa. But we cannot determine the name of the Purāṇa which was given to Nārada. But we can confidently assert that some Purāṇas were in existence.