[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [The Purana Index](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dikshitar-1951) › v1.c3.s1.16 # The Purana Index v1.c3.s1.16 The Purāṇa Index v1.c3.s1.16 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s1.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dikshitar-1951.v1.c3.s1.16) Further among the particular class of literature prescribed for a prince as an important branch of study, Kauṭalya, who belongs to the fourth century B.C., mentions the Purāṇa in his epoch-making book, the Arthaśāstra. If we go further and examine literature by Amarasimha, one of the ancient lexicographers, he mentions Purāṇas and gives pañchalakṣaṇa as the attributes to a Purāṇa treatise. Thus it is evident that the Purāṇas have become popular even in times before Amarasimha. It was honestly felt that it will take more than a life time to study the Vedic literature and as a result this Vedic literature was the monopoly of the few. But the masses hankered after some religious literature which would give them the old legends and tales and which would give them mental peace So the Itihāsa-Purāṇa literature became popular with the masses. As they contained many interesting and valuable information, arrangements were made to expound them for the benefit of the public in the common hall of the village or town. It formed a useful course of general and adult education for which we are crying to-day. - [Previous: v1.c3.s1.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dikshitar-1951.v1.c3.s1.15) - [Next: v1.c3.s1.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dikshitar-1951.v1.c3.s1.17) - [Up: v1.c3.s1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dikshitar-1951.v1.c3.s1) ## Linked texts (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dikshitar-1951.v1.c3.s1.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dikshitar-1951.v1.c3.s1.16) · Pramāṇa