Whoever remembers the names of Asita, Ārtimant, and Sunītha, whether by day or night, shall never fear serpents. And, O serpents, if one calls to mind Āstīka—the son of Jaratkāru and the mighty Jaratkāru, who once protected you during the great serpent sacrifice—then, O blessed serpents, remembering him, you must not harm that person. “O serpent,” one may say, “withdraw, blessings to you; go away, great venomous one. At the end of Janamejaya’s sacrifice, recall the words of Āstīka.” For any serpent who, after hearing Āstīka’s words, does not turn back, his head will split into a hundred pieces, just like the fruit of the Śiṃśapā tree. Thus, when these words were spoken among the assembled foremost of serpents, the best of the twice-born, deeply satisfied, set his mind on departing. Then, the king of the nāgas, having spoken thus in the midst of the serpents, returned to his own abode, accompanied by his kin. Having freed the serpents from the threat of the sacrifice, that righteous-souled and noble Brahmin lived out his days, surrounded by sons and grandsons, and in due time, reached his end. Thus I have recounted to you the tale of Āstīka as it truly happened. By reciting this story, there is nowhere any fear from serpents. Just as your ancestor Pramati, pleased, once told this tale to his son Ruru when asked, so have I now related it to you, O best of Bhārgavas. What I have heard, I have faithfully told—the glorious story of the sage Āstīka, from the beginning, O Brahmin. Since you have asked me, having heard the words of Dundubha, let your great curiosity now be satisfied, O subduer of enemies. Indeed, whoever listens to this righteous tale of Āstīka, which brings merit, becomes freed from all sin and attains long life. From the lineage of Bhrigu onward, you have heard the great narrative from me, O Saute, and I am pleased by your telling. I wish to ask you further, O son of Suta, as is proper—please narrate again those wondrous stories composed by Vyāsa. In that exceedingly difficult snake-sacrifice, among the rituals and the members of the assembly, many marvelous stories arose. According to their subjects, we wish to hear them from you, O Saute; please recount them to us. Among the rituals, the twice-born recited tales based on the Vedas, but Vyāsa narrated the wondrous, great story of the Bharata. The narrative of the Mahābhārata, which brings fame to the Pāṇḍavas, was then recounted by Krishna Dvaipāyana when questioned by Janamejaya. He made it heard properly at that time during the rituals. I wish to hear that auspicious tale in its proper manner. Born from the ocean of the mind of the great sage of purified soul, narrate this story, O best among the virtuous, which is filled with all gems. Indeed, I shall narrate to you the great and excellent story, the Mahābhārata, as taught by Krishna Dvaipāyana, from the beginning. Hear everything in its entirety as I narrate, O twice-born; it gives me great joy to proclaim it. Now, when Janamejaya had been consecrated for the snake-sacrifice, the learned sage Krishna Dvaipāyana approached him. This sage, whom Kali bore from Parāśara, son of Shakti, as a maiden on the island of Yamunā, was the grandsire of the Pāṇḍavas. As soon as he was born, he increased his body through sacrifice, and mastered the Vedas with their branches and the histories, becoming greatly renowned. No one attained to his stature by austerity, nor by study of the Vedas, nor by vows or fasts, nor by birth, nor by anger. He, the foremost among knowers of the Veda, divided the single Veda into four; knower of both the higher and lower knowledge, a Brahmarshi, a poet, truthful and pure. He begot Pāṇḍu, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Vidura, thus extending the lineage of Shantanu, and was famed for his virtue and renown. This great-souled sage entered the assembly of King Janamejaya, accompanied by his disciples, who were masters of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. There he saw King Janamejaya seated, surrounded by many members of the assembly, like Indra among the gods. He was also surrounded by kings from various regions, and by priests skilled in the rites, who were as learned as Brahma. King Janamejaya, the royal sage, seeing the sage Vyāsa arrive, quickly rose together with his attendants, joyfully, O best of the Bharatas. With the approval of the assembly, the king prepared a golden seat for him, just as Śakra does for Bṛhaspati. There, seated and honored by the hosts of divine sages, the boon-giver Vyāsa was worshipped by the king according to scriptural rites. Janamejaya offered water for washing the feet, water for sipping, an arghya, and a cow, as prescribed, to the venerable Krishna, his grandfather, who was worthy of them. Having received that worship from Janamejaya and accepted the cow, Vyāsa was pleased at that moment. After honoring him with affection and respect, Janamejaya sat nearby with a delighted heart and inquired about the sage’s well-being. The revered Vyāsa, seeing him and reporting his welfare, was worshipped by all the members of the assembly, and he returned their honor. Then, together with all the members of the assembly, Janamejaya, with joined palms, questioned the foremost of twice-born ones: “You are the direct witness of the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas; I wish to hear their deeds narrated by you, O twice-born one.