मुनीनां वचनं श्रुत्वा सूतः पौराणिकोत्तमः । सूत उवाच नमस्कृत्य जगद्योनिं ब्रह्मरूपधरं हरिम्
Hearing the words of the sages, Sūta, the foremost among Purāṇic reciters, said: Having bowed to Hari, the source of the universe, who assumes the form of Brahman,
यच्छ्रुत्वा पापकर्माणि स गच्छेत्परमां गतिम्
whoever hears this, even if engaged in sinful deeds, attains the highest state.
भविष्यपुराणमखिलं यज्जगाद गदाधरः
This entire Bhaviṣya Purāṇa was spoken by Gadādhara.
धर्मप्रशंसनं चात्र ब्राह्मणादिप्रशंसनम्
Here is the praise of dharma and the praise of Brāhmaṇas and others.
प्रतिमाकरणं चैव स्थापनाचित्रलक्षणम् 2.1.1.
Also, the making of images, their installation, and the characteristics of painting.
पुराणलक्षणं चैव भूगोलस्य च निर्णयम्
Also, the characteristics of a Purāṇa and the determination of the earth's sphere.
मुमूर्षोरपि यत्कर्म दानमाहात्म्यमेव च
The actions for one who is dying, and the greatness of giving gifts.
उच्चावचावधानं च प्रायश्चित्तादिकं च यत्
The distinctions of higher and lower, and matters such as expiation.
पंचतंत्रसमायुक्तं प्रतितंत्रे च विंशतिः
It is joined with the five Tantras, and in each Tantra there are twenty.
त्रयाणामाश्रमाणां च गृहस्थो योनिरुच्यते
Of the three āśramas, the householder is said to be their source.
एकाश्रमं गृहस्थस्य त्रयाणां मूर्तिदर्शनम्
For the householder, one āśrama is the vision of the three forms.
परित्यजेदर्थकामौ यौ स्यातां धर्मवर्जितौ
One should abandon wealth and desire if they are devoid of dharma.
तडागस्य च सान्निध्ये तडागं परिवर्जयेत्
Even in the presence of a pond, one should avoid the pond.
धर्मात्संजायते ह्यर्थो धर्मात्कामोऽभिजायते
From dharma arises wealth, and from dharma, desire is also born.
धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च त्रिवर्गस्त्रिगुणो मतः 2.1.1.
Dharma, artha, and kāma are considered the threefold aim, possessing three qualities.
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छंति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठंति राजसाः
Those established in sattva rise upward; those in rajas remain in the middle.
यस्मिन्धर्मः समायुक्तो ह्यर्थकामौ व्यवस्थितौ
In that in which righteousness is joined, and the pursuits of wealth and desire are established,
तस्मादर्थं च कामं च युक्त्वा धर्मं समाश्रयेत्
Therefore, one should unite wealth and desire with righteousness and take refuge in righteousness.
एवं धर्मस्य मध्येऽयं चतुर्वर्गः प्रदर्शितः माहात्म्यं वानुतिष्ठेच्च स चानंत्याय कल्पते
Thus, in the midst of righteousness, this fourfold aim of life is shown; and one who upholds its greatness attains the eternal.
तस्मादर्थं च कामं च मुक्त्वा धर्मं समाचरेत्
Therefore, setting aside wealth and desire, one should practice righteousness.
धर्मेण धार्यते सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजंगमम्
By righteousness, all the world—both moving and unmoving—is sustained.
कर्मणा प्राप्यते धर्मो ज्ञानेन च न संशयः
Righteousness is attained through action and through knowledge; of this there is no doubt.
प्रवृत्तिश्च निवृत्तिश्च द्विविधं कर्म वैदिकम्
There are two kinds of Vedic action: engagement and withdrawal.
निवृत्तिं सेवमानस्तु याति तत्परमं पदम्
But one who practices withdrawal attains that supreme state.
शमो दमो दया दानमलोभस्त्याग एव च 2.1.1.
Calmness, self-control, compassion, charity, absence of greed, and renunciation—
सत्यं संतोष आस्तिक्यं श्रद्धा चेन्द्रियनिग्रहः
Truthfulness, contentment, faith in the divine, trust, and control of the senses—
अहिंसा सत्यवादित्वमपैशुन्यं सुकल्पता
Nonviolence, speaking truth, absence of malice, and good resolve—
श्रद्धापूर्वाः स्मृता धर्माः श्रद्धामध्ये तु संस्थिताः
Righteous acts are said to arise from faith, and they are established within faith.
प्राजापत्यं ब्राह्मणानां श्रुतं स्थानं क्रियावताम्
For Brahmins who perform rituals, the place of the progenitors and the Vedas is declared.
वैश्यानाममृतं स्थानं स्वधर्ममनुवर्तताम्
For Vaisyas who follow their own duty, the place of immortality is declared.