Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology is the body of myths attributed to, and espoused by, the adherents of the Hindu religion, found in Sanskrit texts such as the Vedic literature, epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana, the Puranas, and mythological stories specific to a particular ethnolinguistic group like the Tamil Periya Puranam and Divya Prabandham, and the Mangal Kavya of Bengal. Hindu myths are also found in widely translated popular texts such as the fables of the Panchatantra and the Hitopadesha, as well as in Southeast Asian texts. Primary sources Vedas Rig Sama Yajur Atharva Itihasa Ramayana Mahabharata Major Puranas Agni Purana Brahma Purana Brahmanda Purana Bhagavata Purana Brahma Vaivarta Purana Devi-Bhagavata Purana Garuda Purana Kurma Purana Shiva Purana Skanda Purana Markandeya Purana Matsya Purana Narada Purana Linga Purana Padma Purana Varaha Purana Vayu Purana Vishnu Purana Bengali literature Mangal-Kāvya Tamil literature Divya Prabandham Tirumurai Five Great Epics Origins and development Indus Valley Civilisation According to Joseph Campbell, the Indus Valley (2600–1900 BCE) may have left traces in the beliefs and traditions of Hinduism. Artefacts have revealed motifs that are also employed and revered by Hindus today, such as primary male deities worshipped by a ruling elite, mother goddesses, nature spirits, snake worship, as