Tale handed down on purpose (6)
I believe the answer is:
legend
'tale' is the definition.
(I know that legend is a type of tale)
'on purpose' is the wordplay.
'on' becomes 'leg' (cricket term, fielding positions).
'purpose' becomes 'end' (I've seen this before).
'leg'+'end'='LEGEND'
'handed down' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
(Other definitions for legend that I've seen before include "Celebrity" , "Tale of heroism" , "Fabulous tale" , "Narrative passed down" , "Superstar" .)