Listen, O revered one, to the glory and sanctity of this epic, the Mahābhārata. It is said that whoever, being learned, recites these verses, and those who listen with attention, attain the supreme abode of Brahman and become equal to the gods themselves. This sacred tale is regarded as equal to the Vedas—pure, supreme, and the best among all things to be heard, praised by the ancient seers. Within this most holy epic, both the purpose and desires of life are fully taught, alongside steadfast wisdom. If a learned person enables those of noble and truthful conduct, free from meanness or disbelief, to hear this Kāṛṣṇa Veda, he gains its reward. Even a person burdened by the terrible sin of killing an embryo is freed from that sin by hearing this epic; all sins are released, just as the moon is freed from Rāhu’s grasp. Thus, this history called ‘Jaya’ should be heard by anyone seeking victory. A king who listens to this conquers the earth and subdues his enemies; it is the best rite for begetting sons and 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 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 found here is found elsewhere; but what is not found here is found nowhere. This truth has been declared by Brāhmaṇas throughout 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 person has committed by body, speech, or mind, all is quickly abandoned by listening to this epic. This wondrous tale 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, whoever, for the sake of merit, causes pure Brāhmaṇas to hear this, achieves great reward. 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. Here are praised the gods, royal sages, and holy brahmarshis, all purified of sin; and so too is Keśava extolled. Here also, the blessed Lord of the gods and the goddess are praised, and the many births and origin of Kartikeya are recounted. The greatness of Brahmins and of cows is celebrated, and 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, knowingly or unknowingly, 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. The Brahmins who will recite and the people who will listen—whatever their circumstances, they are not to be grieved for, whether they have acted or not. Every person who desires dharma should listen to this entire epic; by doing so, one attains success. A person does not attain the satisfaction from reaching heaven that he enjoys by hearing this supremely meritorious epic. If, being pure and virtuous, a person listens to or recites this wondrous tale, he gains the fruit of the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices. Just as the venerable ocean and the great mountain Meru are both renowned as repositories of jewels, so too is the Bharata known. Indeed, this is gathered from the Vedas, pure and most excellent, pleasant to hear, delightful to the ear, purifying, and a promoter of virtue. O King, whoever gives this Bharata to a reciter, it is as if he has given the entire earth, girdled by the sea. Now, hear from me this divine tale of Parikshit, told for merit and victory, complete and bringing joy. The sage Krishna Dvaipayana, ever diligent for three years, composed this wondrous narrative called the Mahābhārata. Hear from me as I recite that ancient history.