Geography, Environment, Vegetation, and Astronomical Knowledge as described in Puranas - An Analysis

Abstract

The Puranas are considered as an auspicious source of Indian cultural history. If the Puranas are called the encyclopedia of Indian culture then there will be no exaggeration in it. It is not logical to utter these as merely religious texts, neglecting of other diversified parties. In addition to religious knowledge from the Puranas, we get a detailed knowledge about various aspects of the then-environmental and geographical conditions, tree-plantation and vegetation, astronomy, human development etc. The Puranas are the only source for the reconstruction of ancient Indian history before the sixth century BC. While the Pargitor called them the Knowledge Base of Indian religion and culture, Kumariam considered the Puranas as the source of the law. The utility of multi-purpose knowledge and science accumulated in the Puranas is still very relevant.