Question

According to Srisvamin Jnanananda Saraswati (in his work 'Dharmakalpadruma'), how many types (categories) of Puranas are there?

• A. Trayah (Three)
• B. Chatvarah (Four)
• C. Pancha (Five)
• D. Sapta (Seven)

Hint:

The "Rule of Three" (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) is the most common way to categorize any large group in Indian philosophy—be it Puranas, food, or personalities. 18 Puranas divided by 3 Gunas = 6 Puranas in each category.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Srisvamin Jnanananda Saraswati was a modern traditional scholar who authored the Dharmakalpadruma, a monumental encyclopedia of Sanatana Dharma. In his work, he categorizes the Puranic literature based on their qualitative nature and their intended audience, following the ancient Guna theory found in the Matsya and Padma Puranas.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Jnanananda Saraswati classifies the 18 Mahapuranas into three types (Trayah), based on the three Gunas (qualities) of nature:
1. Sattvika Puranas: These are the Puranas that primarily glorify Lord Vishnu and emphasize the quality of Sattva (purity and light). They lead the seeker toward liberation (Moksha). Traditionally, 6 Puranas (Vishnu, Narada, Bhagavata, Garuda, Padma, Varaha) fall here.
2. Rajasa Puranas: These Puranas primarily glorify Lord Brahma and emphasize the quality of Rajas (activity and passion). They focus on world-creation and the attainment of heaven (Svarga). This group includes 6 Puranas (Brahma, Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya, Bhavishya, Vamana).
3. Tamasa Puranas: These Puranas primarily glorify Lord Shiva or Goddess Shakti and emphasize the quality of Tamas (inertia or destruction of ignorance). They focus on the dissolution of the world and specific rigorous rituals. This group includes 6 Puranas (Shiva/Vayu, Matsya, Kurma, Linga, Skanda, Agni).
This three-fold classification (Traividhya) is the standard traditional method to organize the diversity of Puranic thought. It reconciles the seemingly conflicting sectarian claims by stating that different Puranas are meant for people of different temperaments (Adhikara). Thus, according to Jnanananda Saraswati's systematic treatment, the count is three.

Step 4: Final Answer:
There are Trayah (three) types.