The Saura Purana (Sanskrit: सौर पुराण, Saura Purāņa) is one of the ShaivaUpapuranas, a genre of Hindu religious texts. The printed editions of this text have 69 chapters (adhyāyas). The extant Saura Purana describes itself as a supplement (khila) to the Brahma Purana which consisting of two Samhitas with the first being dictated by Sanatkumara and the second by SuryatoVaivasvata Manu.[1][2] It is presumed that an earlier version of this text different from the extant one existed but has since been lost.[1][3]
The extant Saura Purana, though proclaimed by Surya, eulogises Shiva and his shaktiParvati. This text praises Varanasi and describes its various sacred places and lingas.[4] It consists of a version of the narrative of Urvashi and Pururavas in chapter 31.[1] It also deals with Devi worship, merits of dānas (donations), vratas (vows) and brief descriptions of the Puranas. Chapters 38-40 contain attacks on Madhvacharya, an early medieval philosopher and his works in the form of a prophecy. [4]
The early printed editions of this text published by the Anandashrama (Anandashrama Sanskrit Series 18), Pune in 1889 and the Vangavasi Press, Calcutta in 1908 (along with a Bengali translation) are practically identical.[4]
