PURANAS. Stories and Legends of Ancient India. Encyclopedic Reference. Volume 1. Volume 2

The Puranas are extensive texts of ancient Indian literature that reveal a rich philosophy, religious teachings, history, and cultural heritage of Ancient India. This multifaceted literary genre, which constitutes a significant part of the tradition, includes numerous stories about the creation of the world, the deeds of deities and great heroes, ethical norms, and cosmology. The index presents a systematic list of characters, places, concepts, names of gods and heroes, as well as key themes and terms found in the Puranas. The main goal of the guide is to facilitate navigation and research of the vast material presented in the Puranas. It provides a summary of the main and additional Puranas, descriptions of plots, and detailed explanations of key concepts and symbols used in Purana literature. Special attention is given to comparing different versions and interpretations of legends present in various Puranic sources, which will allow for a deeper understanding of their meaning and significance.