O Brahman, the questions you have asked me, inspired by the words of Dundubha, shall now be answered—let your great curiosity be satisfied, O subduer of enemies. The tale you have heard, the righteous story of Astika, is one that increases merit; hearing it frees a person from all sin and grants long life. From the lineage of Bhrigu onward, you have recounted to me the grand narrative, O Saute, and I am pleased by your telling. Yet, I wish to ask you further, O son of Suta, as is fitting. Please narrate once more those stories composed by Vyasa. In that exceedingly difficult snake-sacrifice performed by the great souls, amidst the rituals and the gathered assembly, wondrous tales arose—stories of many kinds. We wish to hear them from you, O Saute; please recount them. Among the rituals, the twice-born recited tales drawn from the Vedas, but it was Vyasa who narrated the wondrous and great story of the Bharata. The Mahabharata, which brings fame to the Pandavas, was recounted by Krishna Dvaipayana when Janamejaya questioned him. He made it heard properly at that time, during the sacrificial rites. I wish to hear that auspicious tale in its proper manner. Born from the ocean of the mind of the great sage whose soul is purified, this story is filled with all gems. O best among the virtuous, please narrate it. Indeed, I shall recount to you the great and excellent story—the Mahabharata—as taught by Krishna Dvaipayana, from the very beginning. Hear everything in its entirety as I narrate, O twice-born; great joy arises in me to proclaim it. When Janamejaya was consecrated for the snake-sacrifice, the learned sage Krishna Dvaipayana, knowing this, approached him. Born to Kali from Parashara, son of Shakti, as a maiden on the island of Yamuna, he is the grandsire of the Pandavas. As soon as he was born, through sacrifice he grew his body, mastering the Vedas and their branches, as well as the histories, and became greatly renowned. None could attain him 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; master of both the higher and lower knowledge, Brahmarshi, poet, truthful and pure. He begot Pandu, Dhritarashtra, and Vidura, extending the lineage of Shantanu, and is famed for his virtue and renown. That great-souled sage entered the assembly of King Janamejaya, accompanied by his disciples, all masters of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. There he saw King Janamejaya seated, surrounded by many members of the assembly, like Indra among the gods. The king was also surrounded by kings anointed from various regions, and by priests skilled in the rites, learned as Brahma himself. Seeing the sage arrive, King Janamejaya, the royal sage, quickly rose 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. Seated and honored by the hosts of divine sages, the boon-giver 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 this worship from Janamejaya and accepted the cow, Vyasa was pleased. After honoring him with affection and respect, Janamejaya sat nearby with a delighted heart and inquired about his well-being. The revered sage, 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 the twice-born ones: “You are the direct witness of the Kurus and the Pandavas; I wish to hear their deeds narrated by you, O twice-born one. How did division arise among those who acted without fault? And how did that great war, which brought destruction, take place? Tell me in full about all the ancestors, whose minds were seized by fate, as it happened, O best of twice-born; I wish to hear the truth, O revered one, for you are skilled.” Hearing these words, Krishna Dvaipayana instructed his disciple Vaiśampāyana, who was seated nearby: “Tell him everything about how the division arose between the Kurus and the Pandavas in ancient times, as you have heard it from me.” Obeying the teacher’s command, that foremost of Brahmanas then recounted the entire ancient history. To the king, to the members of the assembly, and to all the rulers, he narrated the division and total destruction of the Kurus and the Pandavas. “Listen, O King,” Vaiśampāyana began, “how the five heroic sons of Pandu came into conflict with the evil-hearted sons of Dhritarashtra. Having first bowed to the teacher with mind and intellect composed, and having duly honored all the Brahmanas and other learned men, I shall declare in full the opinion of the illustrious sage Vyasa, renowned among all worlds for his wisdom and immeasurable brilliance. You, O King, are worthy to hear this Bharata tale; the movement of the teacher’s lips greatly stirs my mind.