the son of Brahma/ who was received, by my grandfather, with the customary marks of respect. The illustrious brother* of Pulaha said to me: Since, in the violence of animosity, you have listened to the words of your progenitor, and have exercised clemency, therefore you shall become learned in every science. Since you have forborne, even though incensed, to destroy my posterity, I will bestow upon you another boon; and you shall become the author of a summary of the Puranas.2 You shall know the true nature of the deities, as it really is;f and, whether engaged in
from that source, it here, most probably, refers, unavowedly, as the Linga does avowedly , to the Vishnu Puraria.
1 Pulastya, as will be presently seen, is one of the Rishis who were the mind-born sons of Brahma. Pulaha, who is here also named, is another. Pulastya is considered as the ancestor of the Riikshasas; as he is the father of Visravas, the father of Ravaiia and his brethren. Uttara Ramayaiia. Mahabharata, Vana Parvan, s. 272, Padma Pur. Linga Pur., s. 63.
You shall be a maker t of the San'ihita or compendium of the Purai'ias, or of the Vishnu Purana, considered as a summary or compendium of Pauriihik traditions. In either sense, it is incom- patible with the general attribution of all the Purarias to Vyasa.
- Read "elder brother", agraja.
f Rather, agreeably to the commentator: "You shall obtain in a proper manner the highest object deriruhle from apprehension of deity". This is said to be "knowledge conducive to emancipation". In the Sanskrit:
The Hue under exposition is as follows:
X Kartri is, howoer, elucidated, in the commentary, by pravartaka, "publisher" only.
