I shall narrate to you, from its very beginning, the great and excellent story—the Mahabharata—as taught by Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. Listen closely, O twice-born, for it brings me immense joy to recount this tale in its entirety. When Janamejaya, the king, was consecrated for the snake-sacrifice, the learned sage Krishna Dvaipayana approached him. This sage, born to the maiden Kali from Parashara, son of Shakti, on the island of the Yamuna, is the revered grandsire of the Pandavas. As soon as he was born, Vyasa grew his body through sacrifice and mastered the Vedas, their branches, and the histories, becoming greatly renowned. None could attain his stature through austerity, study, vows, birth, or anger. He, foremost among knowers of the Veda, divided the single Veda into four parts, knowing both the higher and lower knowledge. A Brahmarshi, a poet, truthful and pure, he extended the lineage of Shantanu by begetting Pandu, Dhritarashtra, and Vidura, earning virtuous fame and great 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, and by kings from various regions and priests skilled in rites, learned as Brahma himself. Seeing the sage arrive, 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 Vyasa, just as Śakra would for Bṛhaspati. Seated and honored by the hosts of divine sages, Vyasa 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 his venerable grandfather, Krishna Dvaipayana, who was worthy of such offerings. Having received this worship and accepted the cow, Vyasa was pleased. After honoring him with affection and respect, Janamejaya sat nearby with a delighted heart and inquired about Vyasa’s well-being. The revered sage, seeing him and reporting his welfare, was worshipped by all members of the assembly, and he returned their honor. Then, together with all the assembly, Janamejaya, with joined palms, questioned the foremost of 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. I wish to hear the truth, O revered one, for you are skilled." Hearing these words, Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa then 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 his teacher’s command, that foremost of Brāhmaṇas, Vaiśampāyana, then recounted the entire ancient history to the king, to the members of the assembly, and to all the rulers gathered there. He narrated the division and total destruction of the Kurus and the Pandavas. "O King," Vaiśampāyana began, "hear how the five heroic sons of Pandu came into conflict with the evil-hearted sons of Dhritarashtra. First, I bow to the teacher with mind and intellect composed, and honor all the Brahmanas and learned men present. 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. Hear, O King, how division arose between the Kurus and the Pandavas, caused by the game of dice for the sake of the kingdom, and also their exile to the forest. And how the war occurred, bringing about the destruction of the earth—I shall recount all this to you, as you ask. After their father died, the Pandavas returned from the forest to their own house. Before long, they became learned in the Vedas and in archery. Seeing the Pandavas endowed with courage, strength, and energy, esteemed by the people and adorned with prosperity and fame, the Kurus could not tolerate them. Then Duryodhana, cruel in nature, together with Karna and the son of Subala, began various schemes to restrain and exile the Pandavas. Duryodhana, following the counsel of Shakuni, oppressed the Pandavas with various means for the sake of the kingdom. The wicked son of Dhritarashtra gave poison to Bhima; but that hero, wolf-bellied, digested it along with his food. When Bhima was asleep on the riverbank, they bound him and cast him into the waters of the Ganga, then returned to the city. When the son of Kunti awoke, he broke his bonds; the mighty-armed Bhimasena, free from pain, rose up. While he slept, they made him bite by black serpents and venomous snakes in every part of his body; yet that slayer of foes did not die." Thus began the narration of the Mahabharata, as spoken by Vaiśampāyana before King Janamejaya and the assembled sages and kings.