The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The Puranas are a vast genre of Indian literature about a wide range of topics, particularly myths, legends, and traditional lore. While they contain older traditions, they were compiled in their classical form primarily during the Gupta period. They played a crucial role in the evolution of popular Hinduism.
Statement 1 is Correct:
The term 'Purana' literally means 'old' or 'ancient'. These texts are repositories of ancient narratives, genealogies of gods and sages, and cosmology.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
The Puranas were written in simple Sanskrit to ensure they were accessible to the common masses. This is in contrast to the Vedas, which were composed in complex Vedic Sanskrit and were difficult for the general population to understand.
Statement 3 is Incorrect:
Unlike the Vedas, which were traditionally restricted to the upper three varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas), the Puranas were explicitly meant to be accessible to everyone, including women and Shudras, who were generally barred from studying the Vedic texts. They were recited in temples by priests for all to hear.
Key Takeaway:
The Puranas served as a vehicle to democratize religious knowledge, using simple Sanskrit to make Vedic values and mythology accessible to women and Shudras, unlike the restricted Vedic corpus.