1. any of a class of Hindu sacred texts written in Sanskrit, typically containing mythological stories, genealogies, and religious teachings
Usage: often capitalized; from Sanskrit, meaning 'ancient' or 'of old'

Examples

• The Bhagavata Purana is one of the most widely read Hindu scriptures.
• Scholars study the Puranas to understand ancient Indian mythology and philosophy.
• The Puranas describe the lives of various Hindu deities and their interactions with humans.
• Many stories in the Puranas have been passed down through oral tradition for thousands of years.
• The Vishnu Purana is dedicated to the god Vishnu and his incarnations.