Padm Puraan is the 2nd Puraan in the row of 18 Puraan. It is divided into five Khand containing 55,000 Shlok. This Puraan is named as Padm Puraan as it has emerged from the Padm flower (lotus flower) emerged from the navel of Bhagavaan Vishnu. In earliest times Vishnu told it to Brahmaa Jee; Brahmaa Jee told it to his son Maharshi Mareechi. Brahmaa Jee told it to his another son Maharshi Pulastya also. Then Pulastya Jee told it to Bheeshm in Haridwaar. Thus it starts with their dialog only. All material has been adopted from Sankshipt Padm Puraan, 15th ed, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, UP, Samvat 2061.

The Padm Puraan is an amazing treasure house of traditional Indian lore and spiritual wisdom. It is the third largest book in Sanskrit literature – after the Mahaabhaarat with its 100,000 verses and the Skand Puraan with 84,000 verses. Traditional Indian scholarship has held that this is a work by Veda Vyaas, as are all other Puraan. Modern scholarship, however, sees this as a much later work.

1. Srishti Khand
Srishti Khand contains the information about the origin of this world. Some of its stories are given here. You might have heard or read these stories elsewhere also, find out how they are different from others sources.

2. Bhoomi Khand
This section contains several stories, but only four stories - Shiv Sharmaa, Suvrat, Prithu and Suneethaa - are given here.

3. Swarg Khand
It describes glory and importance of most Teerth (pilgrimage) places; Yamunaa Snaan, Dharm (duties) of a Brahmchaaree, a Brahmchaaree disciple, a graduate and a Grihasth; general etiquettes, Vaanprasth Aashram and Sanyaas Aashram.

4. Paataal Khand
Vaatsaayan Muni tells Raamaashwamedh Kathaa - from Raam's coming back from Lankaa through Ayodhyaa to performing His Ashwamedh Yagya. This part covers almost all Uttar Kaand of Vaalmeeki Raamaayan plus many other events. It covers Krishn's story, importance of Vaishaakh Maas etc also.

5. Uttar Khand
Importance of Badaree Naath; history of Gangaa's coming on Prithvi; importance of Tulasee, Shaaligraam, Prayaag Teerth, various kinds of Daan (charities); about Shani Dev; various Vrat; Ekaadashee of all months; worship of Yam Raaj and Dwaadashee Vrat; Vishnu Sahastranaam; story of devotee Pundareek; various flowers to use in worship of Vishnu; Shankhaasur Vadh, Kaartik and Maagh Vrat; Narasinh Chaturdashee; importance of Geetaa; Bhaagvat Kathaa; importance of Maagh Snaan (bath); importance of Vishnu; Avataar stories - Matsya, Koorm, Narasinh, Vaaman, Parashuraam, Raam, and Krishn.