नमो रजस्तमःसत्त्वत्रिरूपाय स्वयंभुवे
Salutations to the Self-born, who manifests in the three forms of rajas, tamas, and sattva.
अजेन विश्वरूपेण निर्गुणेन गुणात्मना
To the unborn one, of universal form, beyond qualities yet the very essence of qualities.
प्रभुंभूतभविष्यस्य साम्प्रतस्य च सत्पतिम्
To the Lord, master of the past, future, and present, the true protector.
ऐश्वर्य्यं चैव धर्मश्च सद्भिः सेव्यं चतुष्टयम्
Sovereignty, righteousness, and the fourfold virtues, indeed, are to be served by the noble.
अविंशकः पुनस्तान्वै क्रियाभावार्थमीश्वरः
Again, the Lord, for the sake of action, created the nineteen.
असृजत्सर्वभूतानि स्थावराणि चराणि च
He created all beings, both immovable and moving.
पुराणाख्यानजिज्ञासुर्गच्छामि शरणं विभुम्
Desiring to know the ancient tales, I seek refuge in the all-pervading Lord.
प्रशशंस स भगवान् वसिष्ठाय प्रजापतिः
That blessed Lord, the progenitor, praised Vasiṣṭha.
पौत्रमध्यापयामास शक्तेः पुत्रं पराशरम्
He instructed his grandson, Parāśara, the son of Śakti.
तमध्यापितवान्दिव्यं पुराणं वेदसंमितम्
He taught him the divine Purāṇa, equal to the Veda.
द्वैपायनाय प्रददौ परं ब्रह्म सनातनम्
He gave to Dvaipāyana the supreme, eternal Brahman.
लोकतत्त्वविधानार्थं पञ्चभ्यः परमाद्भुतम्
For the establishment of the true principles of the world, he gave the most wondrous to the five.
जैमिनिञ्च सुमन्तुं च वैशंपायनमेवच
To Jaimini, to Sumantu, and also to Vaiśampāyana.
सूतमद्भुतवृत्तान्तं विनीतं धार्मिकं श्रुचिम्
To Sūta, of wondrous deeds, humble, righteous, and pure in conduct.
ऋषिणा च त्वया पृष्टः कृतप्रज्ञः सुधार्मिकः
And by you, the sage, who are wise and supremely righteous, he was questioned.
भक्त्या परमया युक्तः कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम्
Endowed with supreme devotion, having circumambulated as well.
सत्रे सवितते यत्र यजमानानृषीञ्शुचीन्
At the sacrifice with Savitṛ, where the sacrificers and sages were pure.
विधानतो यथाशास्त्रं प्रज्ञयातिजगाम ह
He proceeded, according to ordinance and as prescribed in the scriptures, with great wisdom.
दृष्ट्वा परमसंहृष्टाः प्रीताः सुमनसस्तथा
Seeing this, they were exceedingly delighted and filled with joy in their hearts.
अभिवाद्य मुनीन्सर्वान् राजाज्ञामभिगम्य च
Having saluted all the sages and approached the command of the king,
सदस्यानुमते रम्ये स्वास्तीर्णे समुपाविशत्
With the consent of the assembly, on the beautiful, well-spread seat, he sat down.
मुदान्विता यथान्यायं विनयस्थाः समाहिताः
Filled with happiness, properly composed, steadfast in humility and concentration,
परमप्रीतिसंयुक्ता इत्यूचुः सूतनन्दनम्
United in the highest joy, they spoke to the son of Sūta:
पश्याम धीमन्नत्रस्थाः सुब्रतं मुनिसत्तमम्
‘We wish to see here, O wise one, the most virtuous and eminent sage.
भवांस्तस्य मुनेः सूत व्यासस्यापि महात्मनः
You, O Sūta, are devoted to that sage and also to the great-souled Vyāsa.
कृतबुद्धिश्च ते तत्त्वमनुग्राह्यतया प्रभो
Your mind is determined, O lord, to bestow the true teaching out of compassion.
पृच्चतां नः सदा प्राज्ञ सर्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि
Whenever we ask, O wise one, you are worthy to tell us everything.
श्रोतुं धर्मार्थयुक्तां तु एतव्द्यासाच्छ्रुतं त्वया
We wish to hear, endowed with righteousness and purpose, what you have heard from Vyāsa.
उवाच परमाप्राक्ज्ञो विनीतोत्तर मुत्तमम्
He, supremely wise and modest in reply, spoke the highest teaching.
यस्माच्छुशूषणार्थं च तत्सत्यमिति निश्चयः
Because your intention is to listen, this is certainly true and settled.