Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 12.7.23-24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRecognizing the Eighteen Major Purāṇas
“The eighteen major Purāṇas are the Brahma, Padma, Viṣṇu, Śiva, Liṅga, Garuḍa, Nārada, Bhāgavata, Agni, Skanda, Bhaviṣya, Brahma-vaivarta, Mārkaṇḍeya, Vāmana, Varāha, Matsya, Kūrma and Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇas.”
What the purport teaches
- The translation names all eighteen major Purāṇas, beginning with Brahma and ending with Brahmāṇḍa.
- The Bhāgavata Purāṇa is included among these eighteen major Purāṇas.
- Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has quoted from the Varāha Purāṇa, Śiva Purāṇa and Matsya Purāṇa to confirm this list and the preceding classification.
Try this today
Read the list aloud once, then identify the three Purāṇas quoted by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī.
Ask yourself
How does Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī’s confirmation help me appreciate the care behind this list?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.