O noble one, listen as the questions of the wise are raised with deep wonder: How did that virtuous Kṛṣṇā Draupadī, though tormented by evil men, restrain her wrathful gaze from the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra? How did the tiger-like sons of Madri, though harassed by the wicked, faithfully follow the Pārtha who, at that time, was ensnared by his addiction to dice? And how did Yudhiṣṭhira, the foremost upholder of dharma, the son of Dharma himself and knower of righteousness, though undeserving, endure the utmost suffering? How did Dhanaṃjaya, with Kṛṣṇa as his charioteer, subdue many armies and, alone, send them all to the realm of the ancestors? Tell me all this as it truly happened, O possessor of austerity, and recount whatever else those great chariot-warriors did, here and there. But wait a moment, O great king, for this is a vast enumeration. The sacred narrative spoken by Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana must be told, for it is a tale of immense breadth and depth. I shall declare the entire teaching of Vyāsa, the great sage of immeasurable splendor, honored in all the worlds. This hundred thousand verses of righteous deeds was explained here by Satyavatī’s son, whose energy knows no bounds. Together with its many stories, the supreme Mahābhārata should be known and heard. But now, O king, I will briefly recount all this. This great epic contains two thousand chapters and exactly one hundred sections, and ninety thousand and ten verses. The great sage composed it in eighteen books. Whoever, being learned, recites this, and those who listen to it, attain the abode of Brahman and become equal to the gods. Indeed, this is equal to the Vedas—pure and supreme. Among things to be heard, this is the best, praised by the ancient seers. In this most holy epic, both purpose and desire are fully taught, as well as steadfast wisdom. A learned person who causes those of noble and truthful conduct—not of mean charity or atheism—to hear this Kārṣṇa Veda, obtains its reward. Even a person who has committed the terrible sin of killing an embryo is, without doubt, freed from that sin by hearing this epic. He is released from all sins, just as the moon is freed from Rāhu’s grasp. This history, called 'Jaya,' should be heard by one who seeks victory. A king conquers the earth and defeats his enemies; this is the best rite for begetting sons, this is a great blessing ceremony. It should be heard many times by the chief queen and the crown prince, for it produces a heroic son or a daughter fit to inherit the kingdom. This is a sacred treatise on dharma, the supreme treatise on artha, and is declared by Vyāsa of boundless wisdom to be a treatise on mokṣa. O best of the Bharatas, in dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa, whatever is here is found elsewhere; but what is not here is found nowhere. This has been declared by Brāhmaṇas in the world, and among Brāhmaṇas here. Now, others will recite this, and still others will hear it; there are sons eager to serve, and attendants who act with affection. For those who listen without envy to the great birth of the Bharatas, there is no fear of disease, so how could there be fear of the next world? Whatever sin a man has committed by body, speech, or mind, he quickly abandons all of it if he listens to this. This was composed by Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, wishing for merit; it brings fortune, fame, long life, merit, and heaven. It proclaims the fame of the high-souled Pāṇḍavas in the world, and also of other Kṣatriyas rich in wealth and energy. Of all those pure in knowledge and renowned for their deeds in the world—whoever, for the sake of merit, causes pure Brāhmaṇas to hear this... One should recite this supremely meritorious, eternal dharma, always recounting with purity the renowned lineage of the Kurus. A Brahmin of disciplined vows who studies the sacred Bharata attains a vast lineage and becomes most revered in the world. By reciting the Bharata, one is freed from all sins after four months each year, and is to be known as one who has crossed beyond the Vedas. In this epic are praised the gods, royal sages, and holy brahmarshis, all purified of sin; and so too is Keshava extolled. Here, too, the blessed Lord of the gods and the goddess are praised, and the many births and origin of Kartikeya are recounted. Here is praised the greatness of Brahmins and of cows; this entire collection of sacred lore should be heard by those wise in dharma. The learned one who recites this to Brahmins at sacred festivals, purified of sin and victorious over heaven, attains the eternal Brahman. Whoever recites this verse to Brahmins at a śrāddha, his śrāddha becomes inexhaustible and returns to his ancestors here. Whatever wrong is done in a day by the senses or even by the mind, whether knowingly or unknowingly, by a person—that is dissolved simply by hearing this Mahābhārata story. The great birth of the Bharatas is called the Mahābhārata. Whoever knows the etymology of this is freed from all sins; the great birth of the Bharatas is called the Mahābhārata. Reciting it releases mortals from great sin; in three years, the blessed Krishna Dvaipayana spoke it. Rising daily, pure and capable, having undertaken ascetic discipline, the great sage composed this Mahābhārata from the beginning. Therefore, Brahmins endowed with discipline should listen to this, the supreme and sacred tale of Bhārata spoken by Krishna.