Summary of Puranas¶

The Shloka¶

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अष्टादश पुराणेषु व्यासस्य वचनद्वयम् ।

परोपकारः पुण्याय पापाय परपीडनम् ॥

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Aṣṭādaśa purāṇeṣu vyāsasya vacanadvayam ।

Paropakāraḥ puṇyāya pāpāya parapīḍanam ॥

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Meaning / Summary¶

This shloka encapsulates the fundamental ethical principles of Hinduism. It emphasizes that despite the vastness and complexity of spiritual scriptures (the eighteen Puranas), the core message for righteous living can be condensed into two simple, yet profound, truths: the supreme importance of altruism (helping others) and the severe consequences of inflicting harm upon others. It serves as a concise guide for moral conduct, highlighting that actions of benevolence lead to positive spiritual accumulation, while actions of malice lead to negative consequences. This verse underscores the universal law of karma – that every action has a corresponding reaction, and that the path to spiritual progress and well-being lies in selfless service and non-violence.

Among the eighteen Puranas, these are the two sayings of Vyasa: Helping others is for merit, and harming others is for sin.

The sage Vyasa summarizes the essence of the eighteen Puranas into two core principles: doing good to others leads to spiritual merit, while causing harm to others leads to sin.

Sentence - 1¶

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अष्टादश पुराणेषु व्यासस्य वचनद्वयम् ।

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Meaning¶

Among the eighteen Puranas, these are the two sayings of Vyasa.

Meaning of Words¶

अष्टादश	aṣṭādaśa	eighteen
पुराणेषु	purāṇeṣu
among the Puranas (ancient sacred texts of Hinduism) The Puranas are a vast genre of Indian literature about a wide range of topics, particularly myths, legends and other traditional lore. There are traditionally eighteen major Puranas.
व्यासस्य	vyāsasya
of Vyasa Vyasa is a revered sage in Hinduism, traditionally credited as the compiler of the Vedas and the author of the Mahabharata, including the Bhagavad Gita, and the Puranas. His teachings are considered fundamental.
वचनद्वयम्	vacanadvayam
two sayings This refers to two core statements or principles articulated by Vyasa, summarizing the essence of the vast Puranic wisdom.

Sentence - 2¶

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परोपकारः पुण्याय

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Meaning¶

Helping others is for merit (righteousness).

Meaning of Words¶

परोपकारः	paropakāraḥ
helping others, benevolence, altruism Derived from ‘para’ (other) and ‘upakāra’ (help or benefit). It signifies selfless service and actions done for the welfare and benefit of other beings.
पुण्याय	puṇyāya
for merit, for righteousness, for virtue Refers to the accumulation of good karma or spiritual merit, which is believed to lead to positive outcomes, happiness, and spiritual progress.

Sentence - 3¶

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पापाय परपीडनम् ॥

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Meaning¶

Harming others is for sin (unrighteousness).

Meaning of Words¶

पापाय	pāpāya
for sin, for unrighteousness, for demerit Refers to the accumulation of bad karma or spiritual demerit, which is believed to lead to negative consequences, suffering, and spiritual decline.
परपीडनम्	parapīḍanam
harming others, causing pain to others Derived from ‘para’ (other) and ‘pīḍanam’ (tormenting, causing pain or distress). It denotes acts that inflict suffering, harm, or difficulty upon other beings.