Brahmvaivartha Purana

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The Brahmvaivartha Purana is the thirteenth Purana in our present series. It is a Purana that explains Brahma's range of effectiveness and depicts him in two different shades. But this Purana is by no means the English translation of the entire Purana. It recalls only those episodes and parables which has some values enshrined in them. Also, It gives comparative analysis of the same story depicted differently in other Puranas. Since we are introducing these series for the benefit of all the classes and categories, we have omitted those parts that may appear derogatory to any group and gender. We have taken special care to dilute the amorous description where the text deals with the Apsaras and their interaction with the gods. Also, at different stages, within parenthesis, we have tried to explain the discrepancies that have crept in the text while dealing with the well-known mythological stories. The main emphasis has been on presenting their Puranas to the present generation with an eye on their comprehension. capacity to assimilate and realize the basic morals enshrined in the story. Some of the tales that have been left rather incomplete or ineffective have been completed with the help of other sources of the same stories. It is hoped that this Purana will also go to enrich our discerning reader's personal library. In the present age of globalization, the most likely causality in our own identity. In order to retain this identity we must know the ground we stand on and the values that mould our life.

Lastly, the author wishes to share his gratitude we feel for Shri Narendra Ji of Diamond Pocket Books who gave him all the freedom and facilities to prepare this work.

The Puranas deals mainly with the actions of mortal heroes and embody and illustrate both human virtues and frailities, as well as celebrate the power and the work of various super human personages and deities. Even though the contents of many Mahapuranas may be very old and many of a distinct sectarian blas nevertheless, they reveal the Hindu belief, which originated in to the Vedas and Incorporate hero-worship as well as the divine-worship. And they may be rightly described as the essentially pantheistic in character. Although a particular divinity may seem to be glorified, nevertheless there is an underlying quest for unity of life and of supreme Reality.

Also what unites these 18 Mahapuranas is their way of presentation. Almost all of them are in the form of dialogues between different groups of interlocutors. Generally Soota and the sage Shaunaka form one set of them. And their dialogues invariably commence at Nemishararanya, still a famous holy place near Lucknow. There in the huge italics as many as 88000 high sages had assembled. It appears to be a part of an enormous editing and compilation process which perhaps took place in the era of Chandragupta II. However, the Puranas should not be deemed to be merely history written in a chronological order.

The stories, epilogues and parables in the Pauranic texts, were put together and not for the purpose of furnishing a chronological accurate history. It should be borne in mind that this was composed to furnish living examples and the models of virtues. Though each Purana exalts a particular deity, it must be noted that the sanctity (as a religious order) and the uniformity of the Hindu approach to the Supreme Reality is affirmed at every term. It can well be asserted that the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas have collectively formed the foundation of Hindu ethics and bellef.