Vayu Purana
The Vayu Purana is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. It is dedicated to the god Vayu (wind) and contains extensive sections on cosmology, geography, and genealogy.
- Vayu Purana is one of the oldest Mahapuranas, narrated by Vayu (Wind deity).
- Contains approximately 24,000 verses — one of the most ancient Puranic texts.
- Sometimes classified as a Tamas Purana and associated with Shiva.
- Considered by some scholars as the oldest extant Purana, predating others.
- Narrated by Vayu (Wind god) to sages assembled at Naimisharanya.
- Contains detailed cosmology, genealogies of sages, and accounts of creation.
- Includes the Mahatmya (glory) of various tirthas and sacred sites.
- Rich in astronomical and geographical information.
Structural Organization
Example: Vayu Purana, Prakriya Pada, Chapter 1
Key Topics Covered
Important Deities
Famous Stories & Episodes
Featured Shlokas
+ Add ShlokaDefinition of Purana — Five Characteristic Topics
Vayu Purana · Chapter 1 · Verse 4.10
सर्गश्च प्रतिसर्गश्च वंशो मन्वन्तराणि च। वंशानुचरितं चेति पुराणं पञ्चलक्षणम्॥
sargaś ca pratisargaś ca vaṁśo manvantarāṇi ca vaṁśānucaritaṁ ceti purāṇaṁ pañca-lakṣaṇam
The five characteristics of a Purāṇa are: sarga (primary creation), pratisarga (secondary creation), vaṁśa (genealogies), manvantaras (the reigns/ages of Manus), and vaṁśānucarita (accounts of dynasties).
Shiva — The Supreme in the Vayu Purana
Vayu Purana · Chapter 1 · Verse 9.34
शिवः शक्तिश्च जीवश्च त्रिगुणात्मा महेश्वरः। शिवशक्तिसमायोगे विश्वमुत्पाद्यते सदा॥
śivaḥ śaktiś ca jīvaś ca triguṇātmā maheśvaraḥ śiva-śakti-samāyoge viśvam utpādyate sadā
Shiva, Shakti and Jiva — the threefold principle that is Maheshvara. By the union of Shiva and Shakti the universe is eternally produced.
Vayu — Manifestation of Brahman
Vayu Purana · Chapter 1 · Verse 5.60
वायुरेव जगत्सर्वं वायुरेव सनातनम्। वायोरेव समुद्भूतं वायौ सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्॥
vāyur eva jagat sarvaṁ vāyur eva sanātanam vāyor eva samudbhūtaṁ vāyau sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam
Vayu alone is the entire world; Vayu alone is eternal. Everything has arisen from Vayu, and everything is established in Vayu.