श्रोतव्यं च द्विजश्रेष्ठा महापातकनाशनम्
This should be heard, O best of twice-born, for it destroys even great sins.
एकत्र चेदं परममेतदेवातिरिच्यते
If this is all gathered in one place, it indeed surpasses all else.
इदं पुराणं मुक्त्वैकं नास्त्यन्यत् साधनं परम्
Apart from this Purāṇa, there is no other supreme means.
कथ्यते हि यथा विष्णुर्न तथान्येषु सुव्रताः
For as Viṣṇu is described here, O virtuous ones, he is not so in other texts.
अत्र तत् परमं ब्रह्म कीर्त्यते हि यथार्थतः
Here, the supreme Brahman is indeed proclaimed as it truly is.
ज्ञानानां परमं ज्ञानं व्रतानां परमं व्रतम्
Of all knowledge, this is the highest knowledge; of all vows, this is the highest vow.
यो ऽधीते स तु मोहात्मा स याति नरकान् बहून्
He who studies it with a deluded mind goes to many hells.
यज्ञान्ते तु विशेषेण सर्वदोषविशोधनम्
Especially at the conclusion of a sacrifice, it purifies all faults.
श्रोतव्यं चाथ मन्तव्यं वेदार्थपरिबृंहणम्
It should be heard and reflected upon, for it expands the meaning of the Vedas.
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मसायुज्यमाप्नुयात्
Freed from all sins, one attains union with Brahman.
स प्रेत्य गत्वा निरयान् शुनां योनिं व्रजत्यधः
But after death, having gone to hells, he enters the womb of dogs below.
अध्येतव्यमिदं शास्त्रं कृष्णद्वैपायनं तथा
This scripture should be studied, as well as that of Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana.
पाराशर्यस्य विप्रर्षेर्व्यासस्य च महात्मनः
Of Parāśarya, the sage among Brahmins, and also of the great Vyāsa.
गौतमाय ददौ पूर्वं तस्माच्चैव पराशरः
He first gave it to Gautama, and from him, to Parāśara.
मुनिभ्यः कथयामास धर्मकामार्थमोक्षदम्
He spoke to the sages that which bestows righteousness, desire, wealth, and liberation.
सनत्कुमाराय तथा सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्
Likewise, to Sanatkumara, that which destroys all sins.
अवाप्तवान् पञ्चशिखो देवलादिदमुत्तमम्
Pañcashikha received this supreme teaching from Devala and others.
लेभे पुराणं परमं व्यासः सर्वार्थसंचयम्
Vyasa obtained the ancient and highest collection of all meanings.
ऊचिवान् वै भवद्भिश्च दातव्यं धार्मिके जने
He declared that it should be given by you to righteous people.
पाराशर्याय शान्ताय नमो नारायणात्मने
Salutation to Parashara’s son, the tranquil one, whose essence is Narayana.
नमस्तस्मै सुरेशाय विष्णवे कूर्मरूपिणे
Salutation to that lord of gods, Vishnu, who has assumed the form of the Kurma.