Mahabharata

In the beginning, the cosmos was teeming with divine beings—Yakshas, Sadhyas, Pisachas, Guhyakas, and the revered Pitrs. From this celestial assembly emerged the wise and noble Brahmarshi sages, whose virtues were manifold. It was from their wisdom that the very fabric of existence was woven: the sky, the earth, the wind, the vast intermediate space, and the directions themselves came into being. The passage of time was also born from their essence, giving rise to the year, the seasons, the months, the fortnights, and the days and nights, all of which stood as witnesses to the unfolding of the worlds. Yet, as all things do, this world is destined to be withdrawn when the end of an age arrives. Just as the seasons reveal the signs of solstices in their cyclical dance, so too do the states of being emerge at the dawn of each new age. This eternal wheel, turning without beginning or end, perpetually brings forth the aggregation of all beings, existing without origin or destruction. Within this vast creation, there arose thirty-three thousand, thirty-three hundred, and thirty-three gods, a concise reckoning of their divine lineage. Among them, Bṛhadbhānu, the son of heaven, shone as the radiant eye of the universe, known by many names—Savitṛ, Ṛcīka, Arka, Bhānu, the bringer of light, and Ravi. From Vivasvat, all his sons were known, with Manu being the youngest. Manu's son, Devabhṛt, was thus called Subhrāṭ, who in turn had three illustrious sons: Daśajyoti, Śatajyoti, and Sahasrajyoti. Daśajyoti, the great-souled, fathered ten thousand sons; Śatajyoti's progeny were ten times that number, while Sahasrajyoti's lineage swelled to yet another ten times more. From these vast lineages sprang forth the noble houses of the Kurus, the Yadus, and Bharata. The royal sages, including Yayāti and Ikṣvāku, contributed to the manifold creation of lineages that flourished across the land. In this intricate tapestry of existence, the abodes of beings, the profound secrets of the threefold nature, the Vedas, and the paths of yoga intertwined with knowledge, dharma, artha, and kāma. The sage beheld the various treatises and regulations for worldly conduct, and thus, he recounted the polity of the Bharata line, its expansive histories, and the diverse traditions that shaped the world. Now, having expanded this vast knowledge, the sage also condensed it, for the wise appreciate both summary and detail. Some reciters of the Bhārata begin with Manu, others with Āstīka, while learned brāhmaṇas commence with Uparicara. The wise illuminate the collections of knowledge, each skilled in their own way—some in explanation, others in preserving the sacred texts. Through austerity and celibacy, the sage Vyāsa composed this ancient and sacred history, having divided the eternal Veda. The son of Parāśara, a brahmarṣi steadfast in his vows, heeded the requests of his mother and the wise Gāṅgeya. In the field of Vicitravīrya, the powerful Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana begot three Kauravas, akin to three sacred fires—Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Pāṇḍu, and Vidura. After their birth and growth, the sage returned to his hermitage for further austerity. As the Kauravas matured and attained their highest state, the great sage began to share the Bhārata with the people of the world. When questioned by Janamejaya, surrounded by thousands of Brahmins, he instructed his devoted disciple Vaishampayana, who sat nearby. Urged by the assembly during the intervals of the sacrifice, Vyāsa prompted Vaishampayana to recite the Bharata, detailing the lineage of the Kurus, the righteousness of Gandhari, the wisdom of Vidura, and the steadfastness of Kunti. The sage extolled the greatness of Vasudeva, the truthfulness of the Pandavas, and the wickedness of the sons of Dhritarashtra. This Bharata, along with its supplementary tales, is to be revered and heard as the supreme Bharata—a grand narrative of one hundred thousand verses filled with virtuous deeds. Vyāsa composed the Bharata Samhita in twenty-four thousand verses; without the supplementary tales, it is known simply as the Bharata. He then crafted an abridgment of over fifty chapters, an index chapter recounting the events of all the books. Having created this most excellent narrative, the lord Dvaipayana pondered how best to impart this knowledge to his disciples. In a moment of divine intervention, the blessed Brahma, the teacher of the worlds, arrived, knowing the sage’s thoughts. In astonishment, he stood with joined palms, bowing to Vyāsa, and surrounded by a gathering of sages, he arranged a seat for him. On that supreme golden seat, Vyāsa took his place, and near him, the son of Vasu settled down. Then, having received permission from Brahma, the supreme lord, Krishna, radiant and smiling, sat close by. With great splendor, he spoke to Brahma, declaring, “O blessed one, this revered poem has been composed by me,” revealing the profound secrets of the Veda and the intricate arrangements of the Vedas along with their limbs and Upanishads. Thus, the sacred narrative of the Bharata was set forth, a timeless treasure for all who seek wisdom and truth.