श्रीगणेशाय नमः अथ ब्रह्मवैवर्ते ब्रह्मखण्डम् सरस्वतीश्रीगिरिजादिकाश्च यं नमन्ति देव्यः प्रणमामि तं विभुम
Salutations to Śrī Gaṇeśa. Now, in the Brahma-khaṇḍa of the Brahmavaivarta Purāṇa: I bow to that Supreme Lord whom goddesses like Sarasvatī and Śrī Girijā revere.
स्थूलास्तनूर्विदधतं त्रिगुणं विराजं विश्वानि लोमविवरेषु महान्तमाद्यम्
Who assumes a vast, corporeal form, pervaded by the three guṇas, resplendent, and whose immense body contains the worlds within its pores.
ध्यायन्ते ध्याननिष्ठाः सुरनरमनवो योगिनो योगरूढाः सन्तः स्वप्नेऽपि सन्तं कतिकतिजनिभिर्यं न पश्यन्ति तप्त्वा
Those steadfast in meditation—gods, sages, ascetics, and yogis established in yoga—contemplate Him, but even after intense austerity, only a rare few perceive Him, even in dreams.
वन्दे कृष्णं गुणातीतं परं ब्रह्माच्युतं यतः
I bow to Kṛṣṇa, who is beyond the guṇas, the Supreme Brahman, the imperishable.
परं कृष्णकथोपेतं पुराणं श्रुति संमतम्
The supreme Purāṇa, filled with the stories of Kṛṣṇa, is approved by the Vedas.
सर्वमङ्गलबीजं च सर्वदा मङ्गलप्रदम्
It is the seed of all auspiciousness and always bestows good fortune.
हरिभक्तिप्रदं शश्वत्सुखदं मोक्षदं भवात्
It grants devotion to Hari, brings lasting happiness, and delivers liberation from worldly existence.
पप्रच्छ सुविनीतं च सुप्रीतो मुनिसंसदि
With great delight, he questioned the humble one in the assembly of sages.
किमस्माकं पुण्यदिनमद्य त्वद्दर्शनेन च
Is this not a most auspicious day for us, since we have beheld you?
वयमेव कलौ भीता विशिष्टज्ञानवर्जिताः 1.1.
In this age of Kali, we are fearful and lack superior knowledge.
भवान्साधुर्महाभागः पुराणेषु पुराणवित्
You are a virtuous and highly fortunate one, well-versed in the Purāṇas.
श्रीकृष्णे निश्चला भक्तिर्यतो भवति शाश्वती
Through you, unwavering and eternal devotion to Śrī Kṛṣṇa arises.
गरीयसी या साक्षाच्च कर्ममूलनिकृन्तनी
Which is most exalted, and directly severs the root of karma.
भवदावाग्निदग्धानां पीयूष वृष्टिवर्षिणी
For those scorched by the wildfire of worldly existence, it pours a rain of nectar.
यत्रादौ सर्वबीजं च परं ब्रह्मनिरूपणम्
Where, in the beginning, is found the seed of all and the description of the Supreme Brahman.
साकारं वा निराकारं परमात्मस्वरूपकम्
Whether with form or without form, as the true nature of the Supreme Self.
ध्यायन्ते वैष्णवाः किंवा शान्ताश्च योगिनस्तथा
This is meditated upon by Vaiṣṇavas, as well as by peaceful yogis.
प्रकृतेश्च य आकारो यत्र वत्सनिरूपितः
And the form of Prakṛti is also described there, O wise one.
गोलोकवर्णनं यत्र यत्र वैकुण्ठवर्णनम्
Wherever there is a description of Goloka, and wherever there is a description of Vaikuntha,
अंशानां च कलानां च यत्र सौते निरूपणम् 1.1.
And where the portions and aspects are explained in detail by Sūta.
निगूढं जन्म येषां वा देवानां देवयोषिताम्
The secret births of those gods and goddesses,
के वांऽशाः प्रकृतेश्चापि कलाः का वा कलाकलाः
Who are the portions, and what are the aspects of Prakriti, and what are the sub-aspects?
दुर्गा सरस्वती लक्ष्मी सावित्रीणाञ्च वर्णनम्
The description of Durgā, Sarasvatī, Lakṣmī, and Sāvitrī,
जीवकर्मविपाकश्च नरकाणाञ्च वर्णनम्
And the results of actions for living beings, and the description of the hells,
येषाञ्च जीविनां यद्यत्स्थानं यत्र शुभाशुभम्
And for those living beings, whatever place, whether auspicious or inauspicious, they attain,
जीविनां कर्मणो यस्माद्योयो रोगो भवेदिह
From which action of living beings, what disease arises here,
मनसा तुलसी काली गङ्गा पृध्वी वसुन्धरा
Tulasī, Kālī, Gaṅgā, Pṛthvī, and Vasundharā, in the mind,
शालिग्रामशिलानाञ्च दानानाञ्च निरूपणम्
And the explanation of Śāligram stones and of gifts,
गणेश्वरस्य चरितं यत्र तज्जन्म कर्म च
Where the deeds of Lord Gaṇeśa, his birth and actions, are described,
यदपूर्वमुपाख्यानमश्रुतं परमाद्भुतम् 1.1.
And whatever unprecedented tale, unheard and supremely wonderful,