the text Skanda and Matsya Puranas are referring to. The earliest core of the text is likely a post 7th-century composition, and a version existed by the 11th century. The chapters that discuss grammar and lexicography may be an addition in the 12th century, while the chapters on metrics likely predate 950 CE because Pingala-sutras text by the 10th-century scholar Halayudha cites this text. The section on poetics is likely a post-900 CE composition, while its summary on Tantra is likely to be a composition between 800 and 1100 CE. The Agni Purana exists in many versions and it exemplifies the complex chronology of the Puranic genre of Indian literature that has survived into modern times. The number of chapters, number of verses and the specific content vary across Agni Purana manuscripts. Dimmitt and van Buitenen state that each of the Puranas is encyclopedic in style, and it is difficult to ascertain when, where, why and by whom these were written: Structure The published manuscripts are divided into 382 or 383 chapters, and ranging between 12,000 and 15,000 verses. Many subjects it covers are in specific chapters, but states Rocher, these "succeed one another without the slightest connection or transition". In other cases, such as its discussion of iconography, the verses are found in many sections of the Agni Purana. Editions and translations The first printed edition of the text was edited by Rajendralal Mitra in the 1870s (Calcutta : Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1870–1879, 3 volumes; Bibliotheca Indica, 65, 1–3). The entire text extends to slightly below one million characters. An English translation was published in two volumes by Manmatha Nath Dutt in 1903–04. There are several versions published by different companies. Contents The extant manuscripts are encyclopedic. The first chapter of the text declares its scope to be such. Some subjects covered by the text include: See also Bhagavata Purana Shiva Purana Markandeya Purana Upanishads References Bibliography External links The Agni Purana Full English translation by N. Gangadharan, 1954 (includes glossary) Agni Purana (in English), Volume 2, MN Dutt (Translator), Hathi Trust Archives Agni Purana (Limited search outside universities, all volumes), MN Dutt (Translator) Agni Purana, Sanskrit Manuscript in various formats, Tokyo University GRETIL etext Puranas Shaiva texts Sanskrit encyclopedias Sanskrit texts