Classifications

Note: The Differences Lies in Which Puranas Will Come Under
1 Brahma http://brahmasaraswati.blogspot.com/
2 Vishnu http://laxmivishnu.blogspot.com/
3 Shiva http://shivadurga.blogspot.com/


Puranas with Lord Vishnu as the Predominating Deity :
1) Vishnu Purana - 23,000 verses.
Stories of various devotees; a description of varnasrama; the six angas of the Veda; a description of the age of Kali; description of Sveta-Varaha Kalpa, Vishnu dharmotara.
2) Naradiya Purana - 25,000 verses.
This Purana contains a synopsis of everything; it describes Jagannatha Puri, Dwaraka, Badrinatha, etc.
3) Padma Purana - 55,000 verses.
Contains the glory of Srimad-Bhagavatam; the stories of Rama, Jagannatha, Matsya, Ekadasi, Bhrgu, etc.
4) Garuda Purana - 19,000 verses.
Subject of Bhagavad-gita; reincarnation; visnu-sahasra-nama; description of Tarsya Kalpa.
5) Varaha Purana - 24,000 verses.
Describes different vratas; Lord Vishnu's glories.
6) Bhagavata Purana - 18,000 verses. (included by some in the mode of goodness)

Puranas with Lord Brahma as the Predominating Deity :
7) Brahmanda Purana - 12,000 verses.
Describes the vedangas; describes the Adi Kalpa.
8) Brahmavaivarta Purana - 18,000 verses.
Contains the glories and pastimes of Radha and Krishna.
9) Markandeya Purana - 9,000 verses.
Stories of Rama and Krishna.
10) Bhavisya Purana - 14,500 verses.
Contains the glories of devotional service; prediction of Lord Chaitanya.
11) Vamana Purana - 10,000 verses.
Contains the story of Lord Trivikrama.
12) Brahma Purana - 10,000 verses.

Puranas with Lord Shiva as the Predominating Deity :
13) Matsya Purana - 14,000 verses.
Temple construction; describes Vamana and Varaha Kalpas.
14) Kurma Purana - 17,000 verses.
Contains the conversation between Krishna and the Sun-god (mentioned in Bhagavad-gita); Danvantari; Describes the Lakshmi Kalpa.
15) Linga Purana - 10,000 verses.
Contains the glory of Lord Nrismhadeva; Janardhana; the story of Ambarisa; the glories of Gayatri.
16) Shiva Purana - 24,000 verses.
17) Skanda Purana - 81,000 verses.
18) Agni Purana - 15,400 verses.
Contains the description of Salagrama; Describes the Isana Kalpa.

All these Puranas describe five subjects. The Amarkhosa describes the Puranas as follows:

sargas ca pratisarga ca

vamsa manvantarani ca

vamsanu caritam capi

puranam panca laksanam

A Purana describes:

1) sarga (creation)

2) pratisarga (recreation)

3) vamsa (history of the sages)

4) manvantara (periods of Manu)

5) vamsanucarita (geneology of kings)