Purana (पुराण, purāṇa) is a vast genre of Indian literature about a wide range of topics, particularly about legends and other traditional lore. The Puranas are known for the intricate layers of symbolism depicted within their stories.
पुराणम् पञ्चलक्षणम् - सर्गश्चप्रतिसर्गश्च वंशो मन्वन्तराणि च। वंशानुचरितं चैव पुराणं पंचलक्षणम् ||
There are 18 Mukhya Puranas (Major Puranas) and 18 Upa Puranas (Minor Puranas), with over 400,000 verses.
मद्वयम भद्वयम चैव ब्रत्रयम वचतुस्टयम् । अनपलिङगकूस्कनि पुराणानि प्रुथक प्रुथक ||