(Graciously) narrate to us (therefore) the sacred events of ancient ages and the eternal rules of righteous conduct by which kings, women and saints should be guided.
पुरावृत्ताः कथाः पुण्याः सदाचारान् सनातनान्। राज्ञा स्त्रीणामृपीणां च मार्कण्डेय विचक्ष्व नः॥