Then was told the noble tale of the lineages of Vasistha and Aurva. Alongside all his brothers, the hero set out towards the land of the Panchalas. In the city of the Panchalas, Dhananjaya—Arjuna—pierced the target and, before the assembled kings, won Draupadi’s hand. There, amidst that gathering, Bhimasena and Arjuna displayed their might in a fierce battle, overpowering the enraged monarchs of the earth and swiftly defeating Shalya and Karna. Witnessing such immeasurable and superhuman valor, the wise Rama and Krishna began to suspect that these mighty warriors were indeed the Pandavas in disguise. Together, they entered the assembly hall in the house of Bhargava. There arose a great discussion about Draupadi becoming the common wife of five men, and about King Drupada. At this point, the wondrous story of the five Indras was recounted, along with the divine and extraordinary marriage of Draupadi. Dhritarashtra sent Kshatta, and so Vidura journeyed to the Pandavas. There was a meeting with Kesava, Krishna himself. The Pandavas then took up residence at Khandavaprastha, receiving half the kingdom, and, by the instruction of Narada, Draupadi’s agreement was established among the brothers. The tale of Sunda and Upasunda was narrated, and Yudhishthira was seen seated together with Draupadi. Soon after, Arjuna, compelled by duty to a brahmana, entered to retrieve weapons and, after rescuing the brahmana’s property, returned home with his vow fulfilled. Yet, honoring their agreement, Arjuna departed to the forest. During his exile, he encountered Ulupi on the way. His journey led him to sacred fords, and there was born Babhruvahana. He also freed five beautiful apsarases. Once, due to a curse, a brahmana ascetic had become a crocodile; Arjuna released him from this curse at the holy place of Prabhasa, and there he met with Krishna. In Dvaraka, Subhadra, desiring Arjuna, was won by him with the consent of Vasudeva. After Krishna, son of Devaki, aided in her abduction, Subhadra bore Abhimanyu, a child of supreme energy. The births of Draupadi’s sons were also told, as well as the journeys of Krishna and Arjuna along the Yamuna for pleasure. Then came the obtaining of the discus and bow, the burning of the Khandava forest, the liberation of Maya from the flames, and the freeing of a serpent. The birth of the son of the sage Mandapala by Sharngi was also recounted. Thus, the first book, called the Adi Parvan, is described in great detail. The supreme sage has counted two hundred chapters within, with Vyasa, of immense energy, composing twenty-seven chapters. The great-souled sage has declared there are eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-four verses in this Parvan. The second book, the Sabha Parvan, filled with many events, is then described. It tells of the Pandavas’ assembly and the gathering of their attendants. The assembly of the guardians of the worlds, as seen by Narada the seer, is described, along with the commencement of the Rajasuya sacrifice and the slaying of Jarasandha. Krishna’s liberation of the kings imprisoned in the mountain fortress is recounted, as is the Pandavas’ conquest of the four directions. The arrival of kings bearing gifts at the great sacrifice is told, and during the Rajasuya, the dispute over the offering and the slaying of Shishupala. After witnessing the splendor of the sacrifice, Bhima mocked Duryodhana on the assembly floor, filling him with grief and anger. In his wrath, Duryodhana arranged the fateful game of dice, where Shakuni, skilled in deception, defeated Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma. Draupadi, plunged into the ocean of dice like a boat in a stormy sea, was rescued from her distress by the wise king Dhritarashtra, though she was his daughter-in-law. After they were saved and had crossed that trial, Duryodhana, still burning with envy, summoned the Pandavas once more to the game of dice. Defeated again, the Pandavas were sent into exile in the forest. All these events are narrated in the Sabha Parvan by the great sage. There are seventy-eight chapters in this section, with two thousand five hundred verses in total, and eleven verses noted separately. Thereafter comes the third book, the great Aranyaka Parvan. When the high-souled Pandavas departed for the forest, the citizens followed the wise Yudhishthira. For the sake of food and herbs, the great Pandava worshiped the Sun, making offerings to sustain the Brahmins who accompanied them. By Dhaumya’s instruction and the Sun’s favor, food was obtained. Then the wise charioteer departed from the son of Ambika. The Pandavas approached the departed one, and, by Dhritarashtra’s command, returned. Yet, spurred by Karna, the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra plotted to kill the Pandavas in the forest. Vyasa, perceiving this wicked intent, arrived swiftly to prevent their departure, and the tale of Surabhi was also told. The arrival of Maitreya and his admonition to the king are described, as well as the curse he pronounced upon Duryodhana. Here too is recounted the slaying of Kirmira by Bhimasena in battle, and the arrival of the Vrishnis and all the Panchalas. Hearing of their defeat by Shakuni’s deceit in the game of dice, the wrathful Hari—Krishna—was appeased by the crowned one. Thus, the story flows, recounting the trials, valor, and divine interventions that shaped the lives of the Pandavas and those around them.