SHREE VASUKIPURANAM

   CRITICAL STUDY - ANNANTA RAM SHASTRI  

The predominance of the Nag-cult in the Vasuki Purana strikes a synthesis between Buddhist and Shaiva Schools. This tendency is clearly visible throughout the work.

The author of the Vasuki-Purana has tried to bridge the gulf between the Shaivas and the Vaisnavas by propounding the doctrine of trinity (Trideva).

The Vasuki-Purana is an attempt to synthesize the doctrine of salvation as laid down in Buddhism and Shaivism. It lays emphasis on purity, renovation and self-study in thought, word and deed, while strengthening the precepts of Brahmanism. Thus the work fully represents the medieval values. Along with a synthetic attitude, one finds in it a sense of mundane welfare as well. The Vasuki Purana emphasis only worldly welfare. The Vasuki Purana prefers Pravrtti-Marga as against the Nivrtti-Marga. Under the impact of Buddhism the Vasuki Purana inspires one toward the Pravrtti-Marga. In this work Dr. A. R. Shastri has dealt with the data of the Vasuki Purana and its place in the Pauranika literature. The Vasuki Purana is a part of the work called Bhuvanakosa Varnanodyota which is again a part of Bhringissamhita.