व्यास उवाच ।। ये पापनिरता जीवा महानरकहेतवः ।। भगवंस्तान्समाचक्ष्व ब्रह्मपुत्र नमोऽस्तु ते ।। १।।
Vyāsa said:— O holy lord, son of Brahmā, obeisance be to you. Please describe those living beings who are engaged in sins causing their fall into great hells.