[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.1418.1 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1418.1 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1418.1 - **Language:** English ### [c5.1418.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1418.1) PURĀNA. ‘Old,’ hence an ancient legend or tale of olden times. The Purānas succeed the Itihāsas or epic poems, but at a considerable distance of time, and must be distinguished from them. The epics treat of the legendary actions of heroes as mortal men, the Purānas celebrate the powers and works of positive gods, and represent a later and more extravagant development of Hinduism, of which they are in fact the Scriptures. The definition of a Purāna by Amara Sinha, an ancient Sanskrit lexicographer, is a work “which has five distinguishing topics:—(1.) The creation of the universe; (2.) Its destruction and renovation; (3.) The genealogy of gods and patriarchs; (4.) The reigns of the Manus, forming the periods called Manwantaras. (5.) The history of the Solar and Lunar races of kings.” These are the Pancha-lakshanas or distinguishing marks, but no one of the Purānas answers exactly to the description; some show a partial conformity with it, others depart from it very widely. The Vishnu Purāna is the one which best accords with the title. Wilson says, “A very great portion of the contents of many is genuine and old. The sectarial interpolation or embellishment is always sufficiently palpable to be set aside without injury to the more authentic and primitive material; - [Previous: c5.1417](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1417) - [Next: c5.1418.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1418.2) - [Up: c5.1418](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1418) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1418.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1418.1) · Pramāṇa