Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 9
Paramparā of the Atharva Veda and Purāṇas; Definition of a Purāṇa
Daśa-lakṣaṇam
सर्गोऽस्याथ विसर्गश्च वृत्तिरक्षान्तराणि च । वंशो वंशानुचरितं संस्था हेतुरपाश्रय: ॥ ९ ॥ दशभिर्लक्षणैर्युक्तं पुराणं तद्विदो विदु: । केचित् पञ्चविधं ब्रह्मन् महदल्पव्यवस्थया ॥ १० ॥
sargo ’syātha visargaś ca vṛtti-rakṣāntarāṇi ca vaṁśo vaṁśānucaritaṁ saṁsthā hetur apāśrayaḥ
O brāhmaṇa, authorities on the matter understand a Purāṇa to contain ten characteristic topics: the creation of this universe, the subsequent creation of worlds and beings, the maintenance of all living beings, their sustenance, the rule of various Manus, the dynasties of great kings, the activities of such kings, annihilation, motivation and the supreme shelter. Other scholars state that the great Purāṇas deal with these ten topics, while lesser Purāṇas may deal with five.
The ten subjects of a great Purāṇa are also described in the Second Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.10.1) :
FAQs
This verse lists key Purāṇic subjects: creation (sarga, visarga), sustenance and protection, Manvantara periods, dynasties and their histories, dissolution, the supreme cause, and the ultimate shelter (apāśraya—Bhagavān).
Apāśraya refers to the final refuge and foundation of all topics—the Absolute Truth, ultimately understood as Bhagavān, upon whom creation, maintenance, and dissolution depend.
They train a devotee to see life within a divine framework—recognizing God’s protection, the temporary nature of worldly cycles, and taking shelter of Bhagavān as life’s stable goal.