Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
अनुग्रहर्थ विप्राणां शूणु वत्स समासत: । तानि ते कीर्तयिष्यामि यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि
anugrahārthaṃ viprāṇāṃ śṛṇu vatsa samāsataḥ | tāni te kīrtayiṣyāmi yan māṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi ||
“Vì muốn ban ân cho các brāhmaṇa, hỡi con yêu, hãy nghe vắn tắt. Ta sẽ kể cho con những hình tướng ấy, như chư thiên đã nói—tất cả điều con đang hỏi ta.”
वासुदेव उवाच
The verse frames instruction as an act of anugraha (benevolent grace) toward brahmins and emphasizes concise, faithful transmission of what is asked—teaching aligned with dharma and reverence for sacred recipients.
Vāsudeva addresses the listener affectionately as 'vatsa' and promises to summarize and recount the specific forms or accounts connected with divine statements, responding directly to the listener’s inquiry.