Purana
the last great division of Hindu sacred literature. Eighteen principal Purânas are enumerated, called Brâhma, Pâdma, Brahmânda, Agni, Vishnu, Gâruda, Brahmavaivarta, Siva, Linga, Nâradîya, Skanda, Mârkandeya, Bhavishyat, Mâtsya, Vâraha, Kaurma, Vâman, and Bhâgavat. None of them is dated. Some quote from others, and the period of their redaction embraces perhaps a dozen centuries. In their present form none of them appears older than the 9th century A. D. The most celebrated are the Vishnua and the Bhâgavat Purânas.