Padma Purana is one of the eighteen principle Puranas, as explained in Shrimad-Bhagavatam (12.7.25):
"The eighteen major Puranas are the Brahma, Padma, Vishnu, Shiva, Linga, Garuda, Narada, Bhagavata, Agni, Skanda, Bhavishya, Brahma-vaivarta, Markendeya, Vamana, Varaha, Matsya, Kurma and Brahmanda Puranas."
In a conversation with his disciples, Shrila Prabhuapada tells about the importance of the Padma Purana:
Srila Prabhupada: "So, there are different kinds of Puranas, eighteen Puranas Â…but, t he sattvika,-puranas (those in goodness)-they are meant for immediately worshiping the Supreme Personality of GodheadÂ…Â…So Padma Purana is one of the Puranas in the mode of goodness, passion, and ignorance, and to reclaim all these conditioned souls, there are eighteen Puranas. Six Puranas are meant for those in the mode of goodness, six for those in the mode of passion, and six for those in the mode of ignorance. The Padma Purana is written for those in the mode of goodness."
About the Author:
Purnaprajana das joined ISKCON in September of 1970, in Boston. In April of 1972 he came to India and served as head pujari in the Calcutta temple until 1979. He has been an avid student of Shrila Prabhupada's books and has published his summary studies of Shrimad-Bhagavatam and Shri Chaitanya-charitamrita. Besides these, he has written published summaries of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Shri Chaitanya-bhagavata. Now residing in Vrindavana, he will continue his series of summaries of Puranas. Next will be the Narada Purana.