Purana
Hindu mythology bases more on its eighteen Puränas, six each are rendered to each of the Hindu Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
(A) Vishnu Puränäs: -
1] Vishnu,
2] Bhagavata,
3] Näradëya,
4] Garuda,
5] Padma.
6] Varäha.
(B) Brahma Puränäs: -
1] Brahma,
2] Brahmända,
3] Brahma Vaivarta,
4] Märkandèya,
5] Bhavishya,
6] Vämana.
(C) Shiva Puränäs: -
1] Väyu,
2] Linga,
3] Skanda,
4] Agni,
5] Matsya,
6] Küma.
In all these puranas the goddess Lakshmi is given a laudable place without any sectarian dispute. In the Vaishnavite puranas, Shiva starts telling the efficacy of Vishnu to the Goddess Parvati. While Shaiva mythology places goddess Parvati, the consort of Shiva, as one half of His body (ardha naareeshvara tattva) Vaishnavites place the Goddess Lakshmi in the heart of Vishnu itself, as if it were a Lotus hridaya kamala). This is to depict the inseparable union of Universal purusha and prakriti, seed and field, or male and female.
The puranas are classified under itihasa.
