Long ago, for the welfare of the Brāhmaṇas and the sage Viśvāmitra, the Lord, desiring their good, divided the one four-footed Veda into four distinct parts. The venerable Vyāsa then further divided these for the benefit of all beings, and his disciples, as well as their disciples, created additional branches, ensuring the wisdom of the Vedas was spread far and wide. At the sacred confluence of Prayāga, the Lord himself was approached by eminent sages. Desiring to walk the path of righteousness, these sages questioned him, and Kṛṣṇa graciously instructed them in dharma. All these events, O best of the twice-born, have been narrated faithfully—the supreme tradition of the world for those sages devoted to righteousness. What was once spoken by Brahmā to the great-souled Pulastya, and then by Pulastya to Bhīṣma at the holy Gaṅgādvāra, has been preserved. The recitation, hearing, and especially the retention of this tradition are greatly blessed—they bestow fame, lengthen life, and destroy all sins. This Purāṇa was revealed in proper sequence by Sūta, recounting in detail what Brahmā had once spoken among the Brāhmaṇas. If one knows even a quarter of this Purāṇa well and studies it with self-control, he is regarded as having studied the entire Purāṇa—of this, there is no doubt. The twice-born who knows the four Vedas with their limbs and Upaniṣads, and also understands the Purāṇa, is truly wise. The Veda itself is said to fear those of little learning, thinking, “He will distort me,” and so one should supplement the Veda with Itihāsa and Purāṇa. By studying even a single chapter, as spoken by the self-born, one is freed from calamities and attains the desired state. Because it recounts ancient tradition, it is called Purāṇa, and whoever knows its true meaning is freed from all sins. The sages then asked Sūta: “How did the venerable sage Pulastya, the mind-born son of Brahmā, come together with Bhīṣma? For men tainted by sin, the sight of Pulastya is rare—how did the sage meet with a kṣatriya? Tell us, O wise one, what great austerity did Bhīṣma perform to propitiate him? What discipline or observance did he undertake? Did Pulastya reveal a portion, a half, or the entirety of the sacred festival? In what place and in what manner was the venerable sage Pulastya seen? Tell us, O highly fortunate one; we are eager to hear.” Sūta replied: Where the blessed Gaṅgā, benefactor of the virtuous, burst forth from the mountain with great force, purifying the worlds, at that holy place of Gaṅgādvāra, Bhīṣma, ever devoted to his ancestors, resided for a long time, steadfast in the discipline of the great. For more than a hundred years, with supreme concentration, he meditated on the Supreme Brahman and performed the threefold daily bath. Through self-study, satisfying both ancestors and gods, and through his discipline, the god Pitāmaha, Brahmā himself, was pleased with him. Brahmā then spoke to his son, the eminent sage Pulastya: “Go to Bhīṣma, son of the Kuru line, devoted to vows and a hero. Withdraw him from his austerities and declare to him the reason; this highly fortunate one is absorbed in meditation, devoted to his ancestors. Whatever desire is in his mind, fulfill it promptly.” Obeying Pitāmaha’s command, Pulastya went to Gaṅgādvāra and spoke to Bhīṣma: “Choose a boon, O blessed one, whatever is in your heart. The god Pitāmaha is pleased with your austerity; sent by Brahmā, I am here to grant you the boons you desire.” Hearing these pleasing words, Bhīṣma opened his eyes and saw Pulastya standing before him. With eightfold prostration, bowing deeply to that eminent sage, he embraced the earth with all his limbs in reverence and spoke: “Today my birth is fulfilled, and this day is most auspicious; I have seen your feet here, worthy of worship by the world. The fruit of my austerity is attained, for I have seen the venerable one; the bestower of boons has especially come to the riverbank. This ladle has been prepared by me; let it be placed, as it brings comfort. In the vessel for offering, made of palāśa wood, are durvā grass, rice grains, flowers, and kuśa grass. With mustard seeds, curd, honey, barley, and milk together, this eightfold offering is prescribed, as established by the sages of old.” Hearing these words of Bhīṣma, whose energy was immeasurable, the divine sage Pulastya, son of Brahmā, sat down. With a seat and water for washing the feet, and the vessel for offering, Bhīṣma served him joyfully and with proper conduct, and the blessed Pulastya, pleased, accepted it. Pulastya then said: “You are truthful, generous, steadfast in your word, O king; modest, friendly, patient, and valiant in subduing enemies. You know righteousness, you are grateful, compassionate, and speak kindly; you honor the honorable, are wise, devoted to Brahmins, and cherish the virtuous. I am always pleased with you, child, who are devoted to reverence; tell me, O fortunate one, what you wish to ask, and I shall speak.” Bhīṣma replied: “O revered one, O blessed Brahma, at what time did the mighty one exist? Tell me how he first created the gods and others. Or how did the blessed Viṣṇu sustain, and how was Rudra created? How were the sages and gods brought forth by that great soul? How was the earth, how was the sky, and how were these oceans? How were the islands, mountains, villages, forests, and cities?” Thus, at the sacred Gaṅgādvāra, Bhīṣma, through his devotion and austerity, received the presence and teachings of the great sage Pulastya, opening the way to the deepest knowledge of creation and the ancient tradition.