In the sacred past, there was a place where the great god Maheśvara, enthroned within the blazing liṅga, spoke profound words for the welfare of all beings. His teachings encompassed the four aims of life—dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa—and he especially revealed the Āgneya section, illuminating the path for all seekers. As the kalpa drew to its close, this divine revelation became known as the Laiṅga Purāṇa, a scripture declared by Brahmā himself. It was said that whoever gifts the eleven thousand verses of this Purāṇa, accompanied by sesame seeds and a cow, during the auspicious month of Phālguna, attains a status equal to Śiva. Once more, the greatness of the mighty Boar was recounted—what Viṣṇu spoke to the Earth herself is preserved in the Vārāha Purāṇa. This Purāṇa, connected to Manu and the cosmic cycle, is said to consist of twenty-four thousand verses. To honor it, one should fashion a golden Garuḍa and, with a sesame cow, offer it to a householder brāhmaṇa at the full moon of Madhu; by this act, the devotee is graced with entrance into Viṣṇu’s celestial abode, thanks to the Boar’s favor. Elsewhere, in a text describing the Śaiva dharmas, the deeds of Ṣaṇmukha during the kalpa, and the glorious exploits of Tatpuruṣa, adorned with many stories, are found. This is the Skānda Purāṇa, renowned among mortals for its vastness—eighty-one thousand one hundred verses. Whoever copies it and donates it, along with a golden spear, attains the Śaiva state when the sun enters Pisces. The Vāmana Purāṇa is celebrated where the Four-faced Brahmā expounded the three aims of life, centering on the greatness of Trivikrama. This auspicious Purāṇa, of ten thousand verses and following the Kurma kalpa, grants the Vaiṣṇava state to anyone who gifts it at the autumnal equinox. Within the Kurma Purāṇa, Janārdana in the form of a tortoise narrated the greatness of dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa in the netherworld. This teaching, given in connection with Indradyumna and to the sages before Śakra, comprises eighteen thousand verses and is associated with the Lakṣmī kalpa. Whoever donates the Kurma Purāṇa, together with a golden tortoise, at the solstice, receives the merit of gifting a thousand cows. At the dawn of another kalpa, Janārdana appeared as a fish and instructed Manu for the sake of the Vedas’ activity, recounting the tale of Narasiṃha. He revealed the history of seven kalpas to the great sages; this is the Matsya Purāṇa, containing fourteen thousand verses. Whoever gives a golden fish with a cow at the equinox is said to have given the entire earth. In the Garuḍa Kalpa, Kṛṣṇa spoke of Garuḍa arising from the cosmic egg, and this teaching is preserved in the Garuḍa Purāṇa. It is recited in an eighteen-thousand verse section, and whoever donates it with a golden swan achieves the highest accomplishment and abides in Śiva’s realm. Brahmā, once again, proclaimed the greatness of the cosmic egg and declared that the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa consists of twelve thousand two hundred verses. Within it are found detailed accounts of future kalpas. Whoever donates this Purāṇa at the time of its recitation, with a woolen garment and a golden cow, gains the merit of a thousand Rājasūya sacrifices and attains Brahmā’s world. All these revelations, amounting to four hundred thousand verses, were composed by the wondrous sage Vyāsa and transmitted through generations—by my father, my grandfather, and myself—for the welfare of the world. Though presented briefly here by the supreme sage, among the gods these teachings extend to a hundred billion verses. Now, let the subdivisions be described. In the Padma Purāṇa, the tale of Narasiṃha is told; this Narasiṃha Purāṇa is said to number eighteen thousand verses. Where Kārttikeya describes the greatness of Nandā, that is known as the Nandī Purāṇa among people. There is also a narrative centered on Sāmba, called the Sāmba Purāṇa, as declared by the sages. The wise recognize the Purāṇas of the ancient kalpa; their sequence brings prosperity, fame, and long life. Within them, the name Āditya is also mentioned. Any Purāṇa regarded as distinct from the eighteen, O best of the twice-born, know that it has arisen from these principal texts. Each Purāṇa is marked by five characteristics: narrative, creation, dissolution, genealogy, the cycles of Manus, and the deeds of their descendants. These are the five marks of a Purāṇa. The greatness of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, the Sun, Rudra, and of the world itself, along with accounts of dissolution and the merits of giving, are all described within these fivefold texts. Every Purāṇa discusses dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa, as well as the consequences opposed to these aims. In the Sāttvika Purāṇas, the glory of Hari is foremost; in the Rājasa Purāṇas, Brahmā’s greatness prevails; in the Tāmasa Purāṇas, the splendor of Śiva shines; and in the mixed Purāṇas, the greatness of Sarasvatī and the ancestors is recounted. Having composed the eighteen Purāṇas, Vyāsa, the son of Satyavatī, also created the entire epic narrative called Bhārata, which he expanded to one hundred thousand verses, rich with the meaning of the Vedas. The supreme story of Rāma, spoken by Vālmīki and declared by Brahmā, is said to extend to a hundred crores in detail. This was gathered for Nārada and again for Vālmīki, and by Vālmīki it was given to the world as a means to dharma, desire, and wealth—thus, these five and a quarter lakṣas are celebrated among mortals. The wise know the Purāṇas as treasures from the ancient cycle, bringing blessing, fame, and long life to those who recite or hear them, granting the highest state. These texts are pure, a treasure of renown, beloved by the ancestors, and among the gods they are akin to immortality; indeed, they ever remove the sins of humankind. Now, I shall fully declare the duties of charity, along with vows and fasts, as set forth here in the Matsya Purāṇa. In the dialogue between the great-hearted Nārada and Mahādeva, I shall recount, as it truly occurred, that which brings about dharma, desire, and wealth.