Brahma Purana is one of the major eighteen Puranas. It is a Hindu religious text. This is in the form of teachings by Brahma to Daksa and contains a number of verses. This is also called Adi Purana. There is a special treatise in this book on Orissa, an ancient holy region of Bharata. There is in this a special annexure explaining the intimacy between Shiva and Surya, which is a deviation from other Puranas.

Brahma Purana talks about a suryakshetra (sun-temple) situated at a place called Konarka near the holy place of Puri, which was installed there in 1241 AD. This Purana along with Jaladhenu is given as a gift on the full-moon day in the month of Vaisakha (May). The common belief runs that if the donor of the Brahma Purana will attain heaven.

Brahma Purana contains two parts-Purva Bhaag and Uttar Bhaag. Purva Bhaag depicts the entire narrative of the creation of cosmos and at the same time the tales of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. Uttar Bhaag contains a detailed description of Purshottam Tirtha prominent among all the holy places.

From the stories of Brahma Purana it is known that even before the creation of the universe took place, Brahma had appeared. Brahma, the lord appeared on a lotus that emerged from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu himself was resting on Sheshnaag. Brahma began to wonder about the origin of the lotus flower because as far as he could see, there was nothing but water. The creation of cosmos began from this point when Brahma had appeared sitting on a lotus.

As the stories of Brahma Purana depicts, Brahma after his appearance felt curious to know about the origin of that lotus flower. Consequently he entered into the hollow stem and endeavored for thousands of years in order to explore the origin of the flower. But the stem seemed endless. All his attempts proved vain and unsuccessful in his attempts, he came back among the petals of the lotus flower. At that moment, he heard a voice calling `Twpa Tapa`.

Brahma after contemplating the meaning of the chant "twapa tapa" began a long penance. He understands that this long reparation would lead him to explore the origin of the lotus flower. The hard penance purified his heart. As a result he had a divine glimpse of Lord Vishnu resting on Sheshnaag. Brahma could foretaste divinity with this celestial vision of Lord Vishnu and greeted him respectfully. Accepting his greetings, Lord Vishnu gave Brahma sermons on the essence of the Bhagwat. In this way Brahma explored the mysteries of Divine knowledge.

After self-revelation, Brahma understands the spiritual enlightenment inside himself. He understands that he was present even before creation had taken place. Nothing was exclusive of him, the virtues, the non-virtues and even matters beyond these two basic qualities. Divinity is perpetual and even exists during the period of dissolution. The creation of Earth is the incarnation of Brahma and that is why everything divine survives after the period of dissolution. Those things, which seem exclusive of Brahma or exclusive of the soul are only an illusion, just like an image of any object or darkness. Just as the five basic elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether) manifest in every object, big or small, but remain unseen themselves, in the same way Brahma or the divine incarnation of creation manifest in the whole universe but remain detached. This is very idea touches the keynote of the Brahma Purana.

According to the Brahma Purana, if anyone realizes the truth that Divinity is eternal and exists unceasingly regardless of Creation or Dissolution, then that individual can be said that he has attained the self knowledge.

In this way, Brahma acknowledged the elementary knowledge of the self from Lord Vishnu before creation. The self revelation and the exploration of Divinity, made Brahma realized the `supremeness`, the mystery of his own divine appearance, his divine qualities and his divine activities. Lord Vishnu in this way helped Brahma to identify the mysticism and divinity inside him.

From the stories narrated in the Brahma Purana it is known that Brahma endeavored to propagate his knowledge of divinity and the mystery of creation among the gods and the sages. Brahma initiated his task by imparting knowledge to Sage Narad by describing all the 24 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Narad in turn imparted this knowledge to Sage Vyasa. Ultimately, Vyasa, after compiling that divine knowledge in 18,000 shlokas, made Shukadev read it. In this manner, Srimad Bhagwat was popularized in the whole world. Hence Srimad Bhagwat deals with the subject of creation of cosmos and the true spirit of Divinity and Mysticism.

The Brahma Purana also depicts the condition after the creation of cosmos or the mortal world. According to that story, after the creation the earth was vitiated by the non-virtuous and the sinful actions of the demons. Consequently Mother Earth goes to Brahma along with other deities and prays to be relieved of her burden. Under the guidance of Lord Vishnu, Brahma instructed the other deities to act accordingly. Hence most of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu have come into existence due to the request of Brahma.

The first incarnation of Lord Vishnu, according to the legends of Brahma Purana was Vamana or dwarf. After a negotiation, the Demon King Bali promised to give Vamana the quantity of land, which he can cover in his three steps. While measuring, Lord Vishnu showed his gigantic appearance with an enormous expansion of his physique. Vamana, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu when lifted his leg, it reached to Brahma Loka (the abode of Brahma). Lord Brahma, realizing it was the sacred leg of Vishnu, washed and worshipped it. Thus Lord Vishnu unfolds the mystery and power of divinity before the Demon king Bali ruling in the Divine creation of Universe.

While Lord Vishnu stepped in the Brahma Loka, his nails tore some portions of Brahma Loka. As a result of this, water poured down from that portion which also fell on Lord Vishnu`s feet. But Brahma collected the holy water of Vishnu`s feet in his spout (kamandalu).

The holy water collected by Brahma released from his spout after a hard penance contemplated by Sage Bhagiratha. Thus the holy water after releasing from Brahma`s spout started flowing and further was subdivided into three parts. The part, which flows in heaven, is Mandakini, the part flowing in the nether world is called Bhagwati and the part, which is flowing on earth, is the Ganges. In Earth Ganges is recognized and worshipped as the holy water flowing from the Brahma`s Kamandalu.

Brahma Purana also depicts the utterance of Brahma after his self revelation and the true knowledge of Divinity. He articulated that his speech does not incline towards non-virtuousness, his mind never follows the path of non-virtuousness, and his senses are not influenced by the non-virtuous desires because he always possess Lord Vishnu in heart with great dedication. Through his teachings he made the world to explore the essence of divinity, which lies latent in the individual`s heart. This self revelation would lead them to deviate from the path of vice.

This is the very essence of the `Bhagwat` religion, the subject with which the Brahma Purana deals with. The very idea, which the Brahma Purana articulates is that as long as man does not take refuge at the feet of Lord Vishnu, he suffers from the petty worldly matters. The shelter in the feet of Lord Vishnu purges out the fear, sorrow, greed and earthly attachments, which are the root cause of the miseries.

Therefore, surrendering oneself in the feet of Lord Vishnu is the only means to achieve liberation from the burden of the painful existence of the world. This is the keynote of the Brahma Purana.