In this sacred section, the blessed Lord of the gods and the goddess are glorified, and the many births and the wondrous origin of Kartikeya are recounted. The greatness of Brahmins and cows is extolled, and the entire collection of sacred lore is recommended for those wise in dharma to hear. It is said that the learned one who recites these verses to Brahmins during sacred festivals, purified of sin and triumphant over heaven, attains the eternal Brahman. If anyone recites these verses at a śrāddha ceremony, his offering becomes inexhaustible and benefits his ancestors here on earth. Whatever wrongs are committed in a day—by the senses or even by the mind, whether knowingly or unknowingly—are dissolved simply by hearing the story of the Mahābhārata, which recounts the great birth of the Bharatas. Whoever knows the etymology of the Mahābhārata is freed from all sins, and reciting it releases mortals from great sin. In three years, the blessed sage Krishna Dvaipayana composed this epic, rising daily, pure and disciplined, undertaking ascetic practices, and creating the Mahābhārata from its very beginning. Therefore, Brahmins endowed with discipline should listen to this supreme and sacred tale of Bhārata spoken by Krishna. Both Brahmins who recite it and people who listen to it—whatever their circumstances—need not grieve, whether they have acted or not. Every person who desires dharma should listen to this entire epic, for by doing so, one attains success. The satisfaction gained from hearing this supremely meritorious epic surpasses even the joys of reaching heaven. If a pure and virtuous 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 renowned as repositories of jewels, so too is the Bharata known. Indeed, this epic is gathered from the Vedas, pure and most excellent, pleasant and delightful to hear, purifying, and a promoter of virtue. O King, whoever gifts this Bharata to a reciter 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. Listen as I recite that ancient history. I shall now declare the illustrious lineage of Puru, kings of immeasurable splendor. Listen to the names of your ancestors. Brahma, whose origin is unmanifest, eternal, everlasting, and imperishable, gave birth to Marici and Daksha, the lord of creatures. From Brahma’s thumb, Daksha was created; from his eyes, Marici. Marici’s son was Kashyapa, and Daksha’s daughter was Aditi. From Aditi and Kashyapa came Vivasvan; from Vivasvan, Manu; from Manu, Ila. From Ila came Pururavas; from Pururavas, Ayu; from Ayu, Nahusha; from Nahusha, Yayati. Yayati had two wives: Devayani, daughter of Ushanas, and Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan. Devayani bore Yadu and Turvasu, while Sharmishtha bore Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. From Yadu came the Yadavas; from Puru, the Pauravas. Puru’s wife was Kausalya, and in her Janamejaya was born. Janamejaya performed three horse sacrifices and, after completing the Visvajit, entered the forest. Janamejaya married Sunanda, a princess of Magadha, and in her Pracinvan was born. Pracinvan conquered the eastern direction; as far as the sun rises, that was the extent of his eastern dominion. Pracinvan married Ashmaki, a Yadava woman, and in her Sasyati was born. Sasyati took as his wife Triśaṅku’s daughter, Varāṅgī, and by her begot Ahaṃyāti. Ahaṃyāti married Bhānumatī, the daughter of Kṛtavīrya, and by her begot Sārvabhauma. Sārvabhauma, having conquered, took as his wife the beautiful Kaikayī, and by her begot Jayatsena. Jayatsena married the Vaidarbhī princess Suśravā, and by her begot Aparācīna. Aparācīna married another Vaidarbhī princess named Maryādā, and by her begot Ariha. Ariha married the Aṅgī princess, and by her begot Mahābhauma. Mahābhauma married Suyajñā, the daughter of Prasenajit, and by her begot Ayutānāyī. Ayutānāyī, so named because he brought ten thousand men in the human sacrifice, thus continued the illustrious lineage. This is the sacred tale and genealogy, passed down through the ages, worthy to be heard by all who seek virtue and understanding.