What is the Difference Between History and Puranas?

The main difference between history and Puranas lies in their content and purpose. Here are some key differences:

1. Content: History focuses on recorded events that definitely happened in the past, pertaining to invasions, civilizations, and political administrations. Puranas, on the other hand, are mythological accounts of dynasties and kingdoms of different lands, with stories of various gods and goddesses, places of worship, and spiritual centers.
2. Purpose: History pays more importance to material wealth and is subject to research and verification through facts. Puranas, however, pay more importance to spiritual and religious wealth, and they cannot be proven by facts but can be analyzed for their religious, cultural, and historical significance.
3. Historical Figures: Historical figures existed, and there are buildings, offices, tombs, and other constructions associated with them. In contrast, Puranic figures might not have existed in the past, and their stories serve as mythological accounts.
4. Types of Puranas: There are 18 Maha Puranas (main Puranas) that document major historical events of ancient India, numerous Upapuranas (sub or minor Puranas) that document lesser-known minor events, and Sthala Puranas that provide details about specific regions or geographic locations.

In summary, history is the record of events that definitely happened in the past and focuses on material wealth, while Puranas are mythological accounts that pay more importance to spiritual and religious wealth. History can be proven through facts, whereas Puranas serve as cultural and religious narratives that cannot be proven but can be analyzed for their significance.

Comparative Table: History vs Puranas

Here is a table highlighting the differences between history and Puranas:

History is the record of events that actually happened in the past, focusing on material wealth and national events such as invasions, civilizations, and political administrations. On the other hand, Puranas are mythological accounts of dynasties and kingdoms, paying more attention to spiritual and religious wealth. They contain stories of gods, goddesses, places of worship, and spiritual centers, providing guidance on religious and spiritual matters.