With 55,000 verses, Padma Purana is generally considered second among the 18
Puranas. The book is divided into five kandas (sections): Srstikhanda, Bhumikhanda, Svargakhanda, Patalakhanda and Uttarakhanda. A sixth division, Kriyayogasara, deals with a practice of devotion and it is believed to be a later addition.
The Purana contains an explanation of metaphysical knowledge, a description of the earth, tales of the kings like Prithu, Nahush,
Yayati, Prabhriti and that of the sages like Shiva Varma, Suvrata and Chyvan. Importance of the holy places as well as the geographical features of the then India finds a detail mention.
Life of Lord Ram and Krishna are dealt elaborately. A dialogue between Shiva and Parvati praising Lord Vishnu and the thousand names of Lord Vishnu and one hundred names of Lord Ram are the other contents.
