PADMA PURANA

‘Phala Shruti’ of Padma Purana

Padma Purana occupies ba high position among the ‘Ashtadasha’ (Eighteen) Puranas. It represents Bhagavan Vishnu’s ‘Hridaya Pankajam’ or the Lotus-like Heart and is considered as an Authority of ‘Shri Vaishnavas’, although the Purana takes pain to underline that all manifestations of the Supreme Being are one and the same. The Purana says:

Shorascha Shaiva Ganesha Vaishnavaaha Shakti Pujakaah,
maameva Praaptu vantih varshaapi Saagaram tathaa,
Ekoham panchadha jaataah trudeya naamahikila/
Devadattho Yatha kaschit putraadyahvana naamaamabhih/

(Devotees of Surya, Shiva, Ganesha, Vishnu and Shakti reach me only like rain water flows into the Seas; basically, I am the same manifesting in the above Forms for fun; like a Devadutta addresses his father or children with different names)!

Srishthisthyanta karanaad Brahma Vishnu Shiv-atmikah,
sa sanjnaam yati Bhaagaaneka eva Janardana!

(The Unique Bhagawan is manifested in all the Forms of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to perform the Tasks of Creation, Preservation and Annihilation!)

Pathana-Shravana-Manana (Reading-Listening-and Thinking) of Padma Purana is stated to assure Peace of Mind, Happiness, Contentment, Good Health, Longevity, Fame and Fulfillment. Even mere possession of the Purana affords security against diseases, thieves, evil spirits, enemies, cruel animals, poisonous creatures, and all kinds of natural calamities. The Purana provides a shield against the Adhi Bhoutika, Adhi Daivika and Adhyatmika aberrations. Padma Purana Shravana, as a part of Vratas, Punya Karyas / auspicious deeds like weddings, Upanayanas, launch of construction and other activities, Griha Praveshaas, Temple Buildings, Anna Samaaraathanaas, Yagnas, Tirtha Yatras as also Namakaranas, Aksharaabhyas, etc.shall certainly intensify the fruits of Punya! Digestion of the Contents of the Purana would indeed be a firm and long step forward to Moksha!