The Padma Purāṇa—“The Purāṇa of the Lotus”—is one of the eighteen Mahāpurāṇas, or major Purāṇas, of the Hindu tradition. It is among the largest works in the Purāṇic corpus and traditionally claims to contain approximately 55,000 verses, although the length and arrangement differ considerably among surviving manuscripts and printed editions. The name Padma, meaning “lotus,” is generally connected with the cosmic lotus from which Brahmā, the creator of the universe, appears.
Like the other Purāṇas, the Padma Purāṇa is not a single continuous narrative comparable to a modern book. It is an extensive collection of sacred stories, dialogues, religious teachings, pilgrimage guides, ritual instructions, hymns, philosophical discussions, and descriptions of the universe. Its teachings are usually presented through conversations between sages, gods, kings, and other figures. Through these dialogues, abstract principles of dharma, karma, devotion, and liberation are illustrated by memorable stories and practical instructions.
The Padma Purāṇa is predominantly Vaiṣṇava in orientation and contains extensive praise of Viṣṇu and his manifestations, particularly Rāma and Kṛṣṇa. Nevertheless, it is not exclusively devoted to one deity. It also preserves important narratives and teachings concerning Śiva, Pārvatī, Devī, Brahmā, sacred rivers, holy plants, divine incarnations, and numerous local deities and pilgrimage traditions. This combination of Vaiṣṇava devotion with significant Śaiva and Śākta material reflects the broad and inclusive character of Purāṇic Hinduism.
