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This is the second in the series of maha-puranas, told in story form. In the Shrimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 12 chapter 7 verses 23 and 24 it is stated: The eighteen major Puranas are the Brahma, Padma, Visnu, Siva, Linga, Garuda , Narada , Bhagavata, Agni, Skanda, Bhavisya, Brahma-vaivarta, Markandeya, Vamana, Varaha, Matsya, Kurma and Brahmanda Puranas.

The Narada Purana is not as often quoted by the Vaishnava acharyas as most of the other Puranas. In Shrila Prabhupada's books, only one quota- tion is found as follows, in the purport of the Shrimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 10 chapter 16 verse 57: Commenting on this verse, Srila Madhvacarya has quoted the Narada Purana as follows: "From Hi- ranyagarbha, Brahma, comes the second creation of this universe, but the universe is primarily created by Visnu Himself.

Visnu is thus the primary creator, and four-headed Brahma is merely the sec- ondary creator."

This volume is very small, especially considering the size of the Narada Pura- na, because it is a summary study, in story form. There are not many stories told in the Narada Purana. Most of the book consists of very elaborate descriptions of various methods of worship of the Supreme Lord or the demigods, as well as glorification of various holy places and religious vows.