The great epic Mahābhārata, as composed by the venerable Vyāsa, unfolds in a hundred Parvas, each a treasure of wondrous tales and profound teachings. Among these, the Mausala Parva is declared, followed by the dreadful and most terrible Mahāprasthānika Parva, and at last, the Svargārohaṇika Parva, which narrates the ascent to heaven. Thereafter comes the Harivaṃśa Parva, known as the Purāṇa supplement, recounting the Viṣṇu Parva, the marvelous deeds performed by the divine child, and the slaying of Kaṃsa by Viṣṇu himself. The Bhaviṣya Parva too is included among the supplements, a marvelous section completing the hundred Parvas as revealed by the great-souled Vyāsa. These Parvas were recited as they should be by Sūtaputra Romaharṣaṇa, and so the eighteen Parvas were spoken in the sacred forest of Naimiṣāraṇya. Herein is presented the summary of the Bhārata, the collection of Parvas: Pauṣya, Pauloma, Āstīka, Ādi, and Āṃśāvatāraṇa. Within these Parvas are narrated the origins of the Bharatas, the burning of the house of lac, the slaying of Hiḍimba and Baka, the encounter with Citraratha, and the self-choice of Pāñcālī. After triumphing in battle according to the warrior’s code, the Vaivāhika Parva is told, describing the coming of Vidura and the gaining of the kingdom. The story continues with Arjuna’s exile in the forest, the abduction of Subhadrā, their union and reunion, and the burning of the Khāṇḍava forest. In the Pauloma Parva, the lineage of Bhṛgu is recounted at length; in the Āstīka Parva, the origins of all the serpents and Garuḍa are described. The churning of the ocean of milk is narrated, along with the birth of the divine horse Uccaiḥśravas, and the serpent sacrifice performed by King Pārikṣit. This accomplished tale concerns the great-souled Bhāratas, and in the Saṃbhava Parva, the various origins of kings are told, along with those of other heroes and the sage Dvaipāyana; here too is recounted the descent of the gods. The origins of the Daityas, Dānavas, mighty Yakṣas, Nāgas, serpents, Gandharvas, and birds are described, as well as the various births of other beings, including those in the hermitage of the great sage Kaṇva. From Duṣyanta and Śakuntalā was born Bharata, whose name became renowned throughout the worlds as the founder of the Bhārata lineage. The birth of the Vasus, the great-souled ones, in the river Bhāgīrathī and in the house of Śantanu, and their ascent to heaven are also related. The union of portions of energy, the birth of Bhīṣma, his renunciation of the kingdom, and his steadfast vow of celibacy are recounted, as is his keeping of promises and protection of Chitrāngada; and, when Chitrāngada was slain, his guardianship of the younger brother. The enthronement of Vichitravirya is then described, and the birth of Dharma among men, arising from the curse of Ani-Mandavya. By the granting of boons from Krishna Dvaipayana, the births of Dhritarāṣṭra, Pāṇḍu, and the Pāṇḍavas are told. The tale continues with the journey to Vāraṇāvata and Duryodhana’s scheme, the deceitful mission sent by the son of Dhritarāṣṭra against the Pāṇḍavas, and the wise counsel given by Vidura to the righteous king in the language of the mlecchas for his welfare. By Vidura’s words, the Pandavas undertook the digging of a tunnel, and the five sons of the Niṣāda woman slept in the house of lac. The burning of Purochana is recounted, followed by the Pandavas’ dreadful encounter with Hiḍimba in the forest. There, Bhīma slew Hiḍimba, and the birth of Ghaṭotkaca is narrated. The Pandavas’ meeting with the great sage Vyāsa, of immeasurable energy, is described, and by his command, they dwelt in the house of a Brahmin at Ekacakra, living in disguise. The slaying of Baka and the amazement of the townspeople are recounted, as are the births of Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) and Dhṛṣṭadyumna, which the Pandavas learned of from a Brahmin, prompted by Vyāsa’s words. Desiring to witness the svayaṃvara, the Pandavas, filled with curiosity, journeyed to the land of the Pāñcālas. On the banks of the Ganga, Arjuna defeated Angaraparna and made friendship with him, learning certain things from him. The excellent tale of the descendants of Vasiṣṭha and Aurva is then recounted, and together with his brothers, Arjuna proceeded to the Pāñcālas. In the city of the Pāñcālas, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) pierced the target and won Draupadī in the midst of all the assembled kings. Bhīmasena and Arjuna, in a great battle, overpowered the enraged kings of the earth, swiftly defeating Shalya and Karṇa. Witnessing their immeasurable, superhuman valor, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, wise and discerning, suspected them to be the Pandavas. The assembly then moved to the hall in the house of Bhārgava, where a discussion arose concerning Draupadī becoming the common wife of five men, and also about Drupada. Here, the wondrous story of the five Indras is told, and the divine, superhuman marriage of Draupadī is recounted. Dhṛtarāṣṭra sent Kṣattā (Vidura) to the Pandavas, and the arrival of Vidura and the meeting with Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) are described. The Pandavas’ dwelling at Khāṇḍavaprastha, the division of the kingdom, and, by Nārada’s command, the establishment of Draupadī’s agreement are narrated. The tale of Sunda and Upasunda follows, and Yudhiṣṭhira is seen seated with Draupadī. Then Arjuna, entering for the sake of a brāhmaṇa and taking up his weapons, after freeing the brāhmaṇa’s property, returned home, his resolve fulfilled. Thus, the wondrous and sacred history of the Bhāratas unfolds, as recounted by the great sage Vyāsa and preserved by the sages for the benefit of all.