Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

143 Puräæa

punar-janma

SeeREBIRTH.

puæya

SeeMERIT.

Puräæa (‘old (books)’)

An important class of bible-like texts of

varying length and age. Their origins

may be traced back to the stories by

which the people attending Vedic sacri-

fices were entertained. The Puräæas

themselves claim greater antiquity than

the Vedas. The followers of various

saƒpradäyas (sects) consider them to be

revealed scriptures. They deal with the

creation of the universe, genealogies of

gods and patriarchs, myths associated

with various deities, rules for living and

descriptions of heavens and hells as well

as of the end of the world. As a source

for popular Hinduism they ares still of

the utmost importance. Some, such as

the Vi•æu Puräæa, the Bhägavataor the

Devïbhägavata, are often recited publicly

through loudspeakers at places of pril-

grimage. (See alsoMAHÄPURÄŒA.)

(a)

(b)

(e)

(d)

(f)

(g)

Püjä implements: a) sruva (spoon for offering ghï or water to deity); b) ärati-dïpa (used

for waving burning camphor in front of deity); c) pätra (plate for prasäda – food

offered to deity and then distributed to participants in worship); d) ghaæflä (bell, rung

before deity); e) pänapätra (cup for offering water to deity); f) dïpa (oil lamp stand with

multiple wicks); g) padma (lotus; can be opened up as flower during worship).

(c)

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