In Hinduism , an encyclopaedic collection of myth, legend, and genealogy.
A Purana traditionally treats five subjects: primary creation of the universe, secondary creation after periodic annihilation, genealogy of gods and saints, grand epochs, and histories of the royal dynasties. Written in narrative couplets, the Purana s date from с 400 to с 1000. The 18 principal surviving Purana s are grouped according to whether they exalt Vishnu , Shiva , or Brahma . Most popular is the Bhagavata Purana , which treats the early life of Krishna .