Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 22

Paramparā of the Atharva Veda and Purāṇas; Definition of a Purāṇa

Daśa-lakṣaṇam

Devanagari script

एवंलक्षणलक्ष्याणि पुराणानि पुराविद: । मुनयोऽष्टादश प्राहु: क्षुल्लकानि महान्ति च ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ lakṣaṇa-lakṣyāṇi purāṇāni purā-vidaḥ munayo ’ṣṭādaśa prāhuḥ kṣullakāni mahānti ca

Translation

精通古史的圣贤宣说：依其种种特征，诸《普拉那》分为十八部大《普拉那》与十八部次《普拉那》。

Synonyms

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• एवम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), प्रकारवाचक/रीतिवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (manner adverb)

• लक्षण-लक्ष्याणि: the characteristics and the defining marks
• लक्षण-लक्ष्याणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (copulative)

• पुराणानि: the Purāṇas
• पुराणानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन

• पुरा-विदः: knowers of ancient lore
• पुरा-विदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय/उपपद) + विद् (धातु) → विद् (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक: विद्/विद्वस्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (one who knows 'of old')

• मुनयः: sages
• मुनयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन

• अष्टादश: eighteen
• अष्टादश: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्टादश (संख्याशब्द/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक, अव्ययवत्/अविकारी (numeral used adjectivally); द्विगुसमास (eight+ten=18)

• प्राहुः: they have declared/said
• प्राहुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आह् (धातु: अह्/आह्)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• क्षुल्लकानि: minor, lesser
• क्षुल्लकानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षुल्लक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying purāṇāni)

• महान्ति: great, major
• महान्ति: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महन्त् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying purāṇāni)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the number of Puranas?

This verse states that the sages have declared the Purāṇas to be eighteen in number, categorized as some minor and some great.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention the Purāṇas and their categories in Canto 12?

In Canto 12, Śukadeva summarizes and systematizes Vedic literature for Parīkṣit Mahārāja, explaining how Purāṇas are identified by their defining topics and how they are traditionally counted and classified.

Practical application: how can a modern reader use this verse when studying Hindu scriptures?

Use it as a guide to study Purāṇas thoughtfully—look for their defining themes and understand that texts vary in scope (minor vs. great), helping you choose reliable, comprehensive sources for devotion and philosophy.