Question

How were Puranas different from the Vedas?

Answer 1

Hint: Vedas and Puranas are extremely significant to Indian culture and history. One is about religious texts of Vedic Sanskrit, regarded as oldest scriptures in Hinduism while the other is a collection of literature which also includes legends and folktales.

Complete answer:
There are considerable differences between Puranas and Vedas. There are 17 Mukhya Purana (Major Puranas), 18 Upa Puranas (Minor Puranas) and 1 maha purana with over 400,00 verses while there are four Vedas including The Rig Veda, The Yajur Veda, The Sama Veda and The Atharva Veda. Each Veda has four sun divisions comprising of The Aranyakas (text on rituals, ceremonies and symbolic-sacrifices), the Samhitas (speak about mantras and benedictions), the Upanishads (give knowledge about meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge), the Upasana's (worship) and the Bharmanas (commentaries on rituals and ceremonies). The literature of Puranas was written in diversified topics such as Astronomy, Gods and Goddesses, Grammar, Demigods, Heroes, Sages etc.
The distinguishing feature of Vedas is Shruti. It means ‘that which is heard’ in Sanskrit and points towards the most authoritative and religious texts in Hinduism. Puranas have ‘smriti’. It means ‘that which is remembered’ in Sanskrit. Although they don’t have authority over Shruti, they are equally considered significant.
The Vedas had been orally transmitted since the second Millenium BC. Later, in 1500 BC – 1200 BC, Rigveda was written in its composed form. Other Vedas were composed around 1200 BC – 900 BC. Around the third– tenth Century AD, it can be estimated that the first Puranas were written.
Ved Vyasa is considered to be the compiler of Vedas whereas the eighteen Upa Puranas are attributed to Lomaharshana (a disciple of Ved Vyasa) and his three students.

Note: The Vedas put truth over belief. They condense Upanishads which then condense Vedantas. There is an emphasis over these deities being verily absolute consciousness. Purana is an umbrella term to accommodate literature of Vedic traditions. Each Purana tends to glorify a particular principle or form as supreme. This can often lead to contradictions.