Question

Match List I (Mahapuranas) with List II (Traditional Number of Verses/Shlokas) and choose the correct option:
List I (Purana)
A. Varaha Purana
B. Naradiya Purana
C. Padma Purana
D. Linga Purana
List II (Verses)
I. 25,000 Shlokas
II. 11,000 Shlokas
III. 24,000 Shlokas
IV. 55,000 Shlokas

• A. A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
• B. A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I
• C. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
• D. A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II

Hint:

Mnemonic strategy: Padma is huge (55k). Linga is small (11k). Varaha is like the Ramayana (24k). Matching the largest and the smallest first will usually lead you to the correct answer in multiple-choice formats.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Every one of the eighteen Mahapuranas is traditionally assigned a specific number of verses (Shloka-sankhya). These canonical counts are preserved in lists found in the Matsya Purana, Vishnu Purana, and other encyclopedic texts. Although the actual manuscripts found in libraries today may vary in length due to regional additions or losses, the "Standard Traditional Count" is what is tested in all competitive examinations regarding Puranetihas. Knowing these counts helps in identifying the scale and importance of each text.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation of the Counts:
1. Varaha Purana (A): This Purana is dedicated to the Varaha (Boar) avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is traditionally stated to contain 24,000 verses (III). Interestingly, this is the same number of verses as the Valmiki Ramayana, making it easier to remember.
2. Naradiya Purana (B): Also known as the Brihan-naradiya, it is a vast encyclopedic work where Sage Narada summarizes the contents of all other Puranas and Vedas. It is traditionally assigned 25,000 verses (I).
3. Padma Purana (C): This is one of the "Giant" Puranas. It is divided into several large sections (Khandas). It is second only to the Skanda Purana in volume. The standard traditional count for the Padma Purana is 55,000 verses (IV).
4. Linga Purana (D): This is a major Shaiva Purana focusing on the worship of the Shiva-Linga and the cosmology of the universe. It is a relatively compact text compared to the Padma, traditionally containing 11,000 verses (II).

Step 3: Synthesis:
The matching is: A-III (Varaha-24k), B-I (Narada-25k), C-IV (Padma-55k), D-II (Linga-11k).

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct matching sequence is (4).