Padma Purana

Named after the lotus in which God Brahma appeared at the begining of creation, this Purana starts with the narration of Cosmological and Cosmogonic myths. Then comes the description of royal dynasties both Solar and Lunar down to the time of Krsna. This is followed by the description of war between Devas and Asuras and the defeat of Asuras by God Visnu. After the story of Prahlada comes the narrative of Rama preceded by the account of his predecessors begining with Manu, son of Sun-God.

Among other important episodes may be counted, the episode of Rama\'s horse-sacrifice and of Patala and the legends connected therewith. The last section deals with Visnu cult and kriyayoga, which emphasizes that Visnu should be worshipped not by meditation by by doing pious acts, by undertaking pilgrimages to sacred places and by celebrating festivals dedicated to Visnu.

Part of the series "Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology : Mahapuranas/edited by J.L. Shastri and G.P. Bhatt"]