Vedas are main foundations for Hindu Dharma. Lord Brahma has four heads each of which reciting one veda. Vedas are abundance of knowledge but are only with in reach of very few. Puranas on the other hand are illustrations of knowledge present in Vedas in a form that is easy to understand by all. Brahma used to have a fifth head for Puranas (which was chopped off by Lord Shiva) These Puranas are very relevant to us and the thrust in this Knowledge dose is on Part of puranas that are very powerful.
Bhagavata Purana:
Dasama Skanda:
Dasama Skanda of Bhagavata Purana is mainly focusing on Sri Krishna Leelas. Lord Krishna who is treated Paramatman himself (Krishnastu Bhagavan Swayam) incarnates among innocent people of Nandavraja. He shows many leelas that are pleasure to hear to devotees. It is a custom in hindu families to read out the Dasama Skanda to pregnant ladies so that they get a cute and naughty kid like Krishna. It is also a custom to start Bhagavata purana with Dasama skanda. Also it is believed that any threats to the kid (like the death threat from Kamsa) would be amended by the power of Dasama Skanda.
Rukmini Kalyana:
Rukmini is the incarnation Godess Lakshmi for pairing with Lord Krishna who is incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rukmi, the brother of Rukmini, tries to get her married to Sisupala. Wicked Jarasandha supports this marriage. Rukmini writes to Lord Krishna and sends the letter through a brahmin priest. Lord Krishna rushes to fetch Rukmini and takes her to Dwaraka by defeating all the kings. It is a practice in hindu families to make unmarried girls/boys recite Rukmini kalyanam so that marriage gets settled soon. Also they believe that power of recital can make any underserving marriage to brides get cancelled and they get good husband like the way Rukmini got Lord Krishna.
Ramayana:
Sundara Kanda:
At the beginning of sundarakanda every good person is in distress. Rama and Sita for their separation, Vanaras for their inability to cross ocean and find sita. Ravan on the other hand is happy to have Sita with him. At the end of Sundara Kanda, Rama and Sita are happy to know each others safety. Vanaras are happy for they accomplished their mission to find sita. Ravan was in distress for his lanka was destroyed by a Vanara and his son Akshya was killed. Sundara Kanda is believed to have power of removing distress of good people. In case of families encountering many problems, they used to arrange for Sunadarkanda sravanam and it is believed that problems will be resolved by the power of sundara kanda. Also in Sundara Kanda when ever there is a problem/confusion, Hanuman recites shortened version of Rama Katha and that gives him power to overcome problem. It is also a custom to start Ramayana purana with Sundara Kanda.
MahaBharata:
Vishnu Sahasranama:
Maha Bharata is called panchama veda. Sage Vyasa promises that Mahabharata would contain everything that is there in the world. This is a brave promise. Along with rivalry of Kaurava Pandava cousins, Mahabharata has elaboration on Dharma. There are numerous episodes where Vidura and Sanjaya criticize Drutarastra and explain him nature of Dharma. Hindu marriage has a promise stating in Dharma Ardha Kamas Groom will not leave wife. It does not cover Moksha because Moksha superior of all should be pursued on ones own. No support would rendered by others in moksha even by the spouse. In Mahabharata Vyasa says he has given way to Dharma, Ardha, Kama as well as Moksha. Dharma Raja was taken to Bhishma (in his death bed) by Lord Krishna and Bhisma gives lectures to him on Dharma. Finally upon questioning by Dharma Raja what's the supreme order and how lay man can achieve it; Bhisma gives Dharma Raja and the whole world Vishnu Sahasranama stotra. This is a real gift to mankind
Bhagavadgita:
Lord Krishna himself summarizes the content of all Vedas and Upanishads into BhagavadGita. Even though intended audience is Arjuna, it is given to mankind by Lord as an aid in pursuit of Moksha, the supreme ideal. Even today many hindus start their spiritual endeavor with Gita.
Virata Parvam:
Pandavas face lots of problems because of their cousins and start the Agnata Vasa(secret stay) in Virata Parva. Virata parva also has similar effects of relieving from problems especially ones caused by cousins. At the end of Virata Parva Pandavas become happy again for completing the terms enforced by kauravas and also settles marriage of Abhmanyu with Uttara (King of virata's daughter). Also they meet with Lord Krishna who is their power and also their near and dear. It is also a custom to start Mahabharata purana with this chapter.
