Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
The Description of the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa’s Table of Contents
Anukramaṇī
मरीचेऽष्टादशैतानि मया प्रोक्तानि यानि ते । पुराणानि तु संक्षेपाच्छ्रोतव्यानि च विस्तरात् ॥ ३८ ॥
marīce'ṣṭādaśaitāni mayā proktāni yāni te | purāṇāni tu saṃkṣepācchrotavyāni ca vistarāt || 38 ||
Wahai Marīci, lapan belas Purāṇa yang telah aku nyatakan kepadamu hendaklah didengar, baik secara ringkas mahupun secara terperinci.
Narrator (Purāṇic speaker addressing Marīci; traditional frame often via Sūta conveying the discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It establishes śravaṇa (devotional hearing) of the eighteen Purāṇas as a valid and recommended means of receiving dharma and sacred history—both through concise outlines and through full kathā (detailed exposition).
By emphasizing “hearing” (śrotavyāni), it points to śravaṇa as a core bhakti-practice: listening to Purāṇic narratives and teachings that repeatedly direct the mind toward the Lord and dharma.
The verse highlights the practical method of transmission—structured learning via saṁkṣepa (synopsis) and vistara (expanded explanation), a pedagogical approach aligned with śāstric study and traditional recitation practices.