हरिर्ब्राह्मणरूपेक्षण शश्वद् भ्रमति भूतले
Hari constantly wanders the earth in the form of a brāhmaṇa, O Śaunaka.
भगवन्यत्त्वया पृष्टं ज्ञातं सर्वमभीप्सितम्
O blessed one, all that you have asked has been fully known and desired.
पुराणोपपुराणानां वेदानां भ्रमभञ्जनम्
This dispels the doubts of the Purāṇas, Upapurāṇas, and the Vedas.
कामिनां कामदं चेदं मुमुक्षूणां च मोक्षदम्
This grants desires to those who seek pleasure, and liberation to those who seek release.
ब्रह्मखण्डं सर्वबीजं परब्रह्मनिरूपणम्
The Brahma section is the seed of all, and the exposition of the Supreme Brahman.
वैष्णवा योगिनः सन्तो न च भिन्नाश्च शौनक
Vaiṣṇavas, yogis, and the virtuous, O Śaunaka, are not different from one another.
सन्तो भवन्ति सत्सङ्गाद्योगिसंगेन योगिनः
The virtuous become so through association with the good, and yogis through the company of yogis.
यत्रोद्भवश्च देवानां देवीनां सर्वजीविनाम्
There is described the origin of the gods, goddesses, and all living beings.
जीवकर्मविपाकश्च शालिग्रामनिरूपणम्
The results of actions for living beings, and the exposition of the Śālagrāma, are explained.
प्रकृतेर्लक्षणं तत्र कलांशानां निरूपणम् 1.1.
There, the characteristics of Prakṛti and the exposition of its portions and aspects are described.
सुकृतीनां दुष्कृतीनां यद्यत्स्थानं शुभाशुभम्
The various auspicious and inauspicious destinations of the virtuous and the wicked are stated.
ततो गणेशखण्डे च तज्जन्म परिकीर्तितम्
Then, in the section on Gaṇeśa, his birth is recounted.
गणेशभृगुसंवादे सर्वतत्त्वनिरूपणम्
In the dialogue between Gaṇeśa and Bhṛgu, all principles are explained.
श्रीकृष्णजन्मखण्डं च कीर्तितं च ततः परम्
Then, the section on the birth of Śrī Kṛṣṇa is also recounted.
भुवो भारावतरणं क्रीडाकौतुकमङ्गलम्
The removal of the burden of the earth, a play, a wonder, and an auspicious event.
इदं ते कथितं विप्र पुराणप्रवरं परम्
O sage, this most excellent and supreme Purāṇa has been told to you.
सर्वेषामीप्सितं श्रीदं सर्वाशापूर्णकारणम्
It is desired by all, bestows prosperity, and fulfills every hope.
सारभूतं पुराणेषु केवलं वेदसंमितम्
It is the essence among Purāṇas, solely in accordance with the Vedas.
ब्रह्मवैवर्तकं तेन प्रवदन्ति पुराविदः
Therefore, those who know the Purāṇas call it the Brahmavaivarta.
निरामये च गोलोके कृष्णेन परमात्मना 1.1.
In Goloka, free from all disease, by Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Self.
धर्मेण दत्तं पुत्राय प्रीत्या नारायणाय च
Given righteously to his son, with affection, and also to Nārāyaṇa.
नारदो व्यासदेवाय प्रददौ जाह्नवीतटे
Nārada gave it to Vyāsadeva on the bank of the Jahnavi.
मह्यं ददौ सिद्धक्षेत्रे पुण्यदेशे मनोहरम्
He gave it to me in the sacred land of Siddha, delightful and holy.
अष्टादशसहस्रं तु व्यासेनेदं पुराणकम् तत्फलं लभते नूनमध्यायश्रवणेन च
This Purāṇa, consisting of eighteen thousand verses, was given by Vyāsa; its fruit is surely obtained by hearing its chapters.
शौनक उवाच सर्वं कथय संव्यस्य ब्रह्मखण्डमनुत्तमम्
Śaunaka said: Tell everything in detail, the supreme Brahma section.
सौतिरुवाच हरिं देवान्द्विजान्नत्वा धर्मान्वक्ष्ये सनातनान्
Sauti said: Having bowed to Hari, the gods, and the twice-born, I will declare the eternal dharmas.
यच्छ्रुतं व्यासवक्त्रेण ब्रह्मखण्डमनुत्तमम्
That supreme Brahma section which was heard from the mouth of Vyāsa.
ज्योतिःसमूहं प्रलये पुराऽऽसीत्केवलं द्विज
At the time of dissolution, O sage, there was only a mass of light.
स्वेच्छामयस्य च विभोस्तज्ज्योतिरुज्ज्वलं महत्
That radiant, great light belonged to the Lord, who acts by his own will.
तेषामुपरि गोलोकं नित्यमीश्वरवद् द्विज
Above them is Goloka, eternal and like the Lord, O sage.