The Purana Index v1.c3.s1.7

v1.c3.s1.7

Not only the sarga and pratisarga portions of the Purāṇas are indebted to the Vedic literature but also the numerous ancient legends which are scattered in the Brāhmaṇas (also included as a branch in the Vedic literature). The Brāhmaṇas mainly deal with the sacrifices and different rites and ceremonies and also contain special spells and prayers. In these particular forms of worship and prayer which are associated with the legends of yore, we are led to think that the foundations of the later Purāṇa literature were laid. According to Weber (History of Indian Literature, 1914. p. 24) the miscellaneous topics and subjects in the Purāṇas had their sources in these Vedic legends which were elaborated in content and character. Thus arose a distinct class of literature which goes by the name of Purāṇas by the commencement of the epoch of the Upanishads.