Overview for Samba-Purana: An Exhaustive Introduction, Sanskrit Text, English Translation, Notes & Index of Verses
The Puranas are invaluable and significant sources of Indian culture. The Pauranic tradition preserves different aspects of Indian religions practies, philosophical musings, literary developments and cultural expressions. The development of the Puranas had been simultaneous with the development of Indian cultural. They may be regarded as the ever-developing encyclopaedia of Indian culture.
The Sun-worship is an ancient tradition of India which originated in the Neolithic age and continued throughout history in some form or the other. Even at present, it is alive in some temples and in some rituals. Specially, the Key mantre of the Hindus- the Gayatri is dedicated to the Sun-god as the prime source of life and the ritual of sasthi vrata is very popular. The names of the Upa-Puranas differ in many lists, but the Samba Puranas finds mention in all these lists without exception which may be regarded as a strong argument in favour of the antiquity and popularity of this Upa-Purana
The Maga-oriented Sun-worship is the theme of the Samba Purana. It is well-known that in ancient times, the Sun-worship had been universally popular religion. In prehistoric times, natural of the Sun was worshipped through symbols. The vedic traditions has a strong tradition, the natural form of the Sun was worshipped under various name - Surya, Savitr, Mitra, Visnu, Pusan, Asvin, Adityas etc. Sun-worship was observed through various symbols.
The present book is the first authentic edition of Samba Puranas along with complete English translation, an exhaustive introducation, scholarly notes and an index of verses in the end.