Studies in the Upapuranas
by R. C. Hazra | 1958 | 320,504 words
This book studies the Upapuranas: a vast category of (often Sanskrit) literature representing significant historical, religious, and cultural insights of the ancient Indian civilization. These Upa-Purana texts provide rich information, especially on Hinduism covering theology, mythology, rituals, and dynastic genealogies....
Chapter 9.20 - The Soma-purana (study)
This work [soma-purana] is neither mentioned in any of the lists of Upapuranas nor drawn upon or referred to by any of the commentators and Nibandha-writers. It is only Alberuni who mentions it in that list of eighteen Puranas which he committed to writing from dictation.76 So, this Upapurana must have been written earlier than 850 A.D., otherwise it could not attain so much prominence as to be included among the 'Puranas' in Alberuni's time.
76 Sachau, Alberuni's India, I, p. 130 � ... ... (11) Soma-purana, i.e., moon, ... ...