The correct option is (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
Explanation
The Puranas are a vast genre of Indian literature that played a crucial role in transforming the ancient Vedic religion into Puranic Hinduism. Unlike the Vedas (Sruti), which were focused on rituals and philosophy, the Puranas (Smriti) were designed to disseminate religious and moral values to the masses through mythology, cosmology, and genealogy.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Puranas were written in simple Sanskrit to ensure they were easily understood by the common people. In contrast, the Vedas were composed in complex Vedic Sanskrit, which was linguistically distinct and difficult for the general populace to comprehend.
- Statement 2 is Correct. A significant departure from the strict Vedic tradition was the accessibility of the Puranas. While the study of the Vedas was traditionally restricted to the 'dvija' (twice-born) castes and men, the Puranas were explicitly accessible to women and Shudras, who were generally debarred from Vedic study.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The Puranas were intended for public dissemination. They were recited by priests in temples and during religious gatherings so that people could listen to and learn from the stories and moral teachings.
- Statement 4 is Correct. The classical definition of a Purana involves five characteristics (Panchalaksana), one of which is Vamshanucharita, meaning the history of royal dynasties. Therefore, they contain stories about kings and their genealogies, in addition to myths regarding gods and creation.
Key Takeaway
The Puranas served as a vehicle for popularizing Hinduism by using
simple Sanskrit and ensuring accessibility to all sections of society, including
women and Shudras, unlike the exclusive nature of Vedic texts.