Yuga-Dharma, Kalpa Measure, Purāṇa Definitions, and the Kali-Yuga Power of Nāma-Kīrtana
वैशम्पायनमङ्गन्तु पुराणं सूतमेव च / अष्टादशपुराणानि यैर् वेद्यो हरिरेव हि
vaiśampāyanamaṅgantu purāṇaṃ sūtameva ca / aṣṭādaśapurāṇāni yair vedyo harireva hi
ไวศัมปายนะและสูตะควรได้รับการสักการะในฐานะผู้สืบทอดคัมภีร์ปุราณะ; เพราะด้วยปุราณะทั้งสิบแปด แท้จริงแล้วพึงรู้จักพระหริ (พระวิษณุ) เท่านั้น
Suta (traditional narrator) / Purana narrator invoking the lineage of transmission
Concept: Purāṇas, though many, are ultimately Hari-centric; true knowledge culminates in Viṣṇu (Hari) as the knowable goal.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as the final purport (tātparya) of scripture; unity of śāstra-artha despite plurality of texts.
Application: Engage in Purāṇa-śravaṇa with a Hari-centered intention; read diverse texts seeking the common thread of devotion and right understanding.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.223.14 (definition of Purāṇa); Garuda Purana 1.223.15-16 (list of 18 Purāṇas)
This verse frames the eighteen Purāṇas as a unified means of spiritual knowledge, emphasizing that their central purpose is to reveal Hari (Viṣṇu).
By establishing Viṣṇu as the ultimate object of knowledge, it sets a devotional and scriptural foundation upon which later teachings—including dharma, expiations, and death-ritual guidance—are understood.
Approach Purāṇic teachings with a clear aim: cultivate remembrance of Viṣṇu and align practice (ethics, ritual, and study) with that highest spiritual focus.