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,
यत्र जन्म भ्रमो विश्वे पुण्यक्षेत्रे च भारते
Where the birth and wandering in the universe, and in the holy land of Bhārata,
जन्म कस्य गृहे लब्धं पुण्ये पुण्यवतो मुने
O sage, whose birth occurred in which house, in a holy and virtuous place,
आविर्भूय च तद्गेहात्क्वागतः केन हेतुना
Having appeared from that house, where did he go, and for what reason,
भारावतरणं केन प्रार्थितो गोश्चकार सः
By whom was the descent to lighten the earth requested, and what did he do for the cow,
इतीदमन्यदाख्यानं पुराणं श्रुतिदुर्लभम्
Thus, this other ancient tale, rare even in the Vedas,
स्वज्ञानाद्यन्मया पृष्टमपृष्टं वा शुभाशुभम्
Whatever good or bad I have asked or not asked, according to my own knowledge,
शिष्यपृष्टमपृष्टं वा व्याख्यानं कुरुते च यः
Whoever gives an explanation to a disciple, whether asked or unasked,
सौतिरुवाच सिद्धक्षेत्रादागतोऽहं यामि नारायणाश्रमम्
Sūta said: I have come from the sacred field and am going to the hermitage of Nārāyaṇa.
दृष्ट्वा विप्रसमूहं च नमस्कर्तुमिहागतः
Having seen the assembly of brāhmaṇas, I have come here to offer my respects.
देवं विप्रं गुरुं दृष्ट्वा न नमेद्यस्तु संभ्रमात् 1.1.
He who, upon seeing a deity, a brāhmaṇa, or a guru, does not bow due to confusion—