purāṇa-lakṣaṇam - the characteristics of a Purāṇa; brahman - O brāhmaṇa, Śaunaka; brahma-ṛṣibhiḥ - by great learned brāhmaṇas; nirūpitam - ascertained; śṛṇuṣva - please hear; buddhim - intelligence; āśritya - resorting to; veda-śāstra - the Vedic scriptures; anusārataḥ - in accordance with.

O Śaunaka, please hear with attention the characteristics of a Purāṇa, which have been defined by the most eminent learned brāhmaṇas in accordance with Vedic literature.