MAHABHARAT

Shri Hari
Shri Ganeshaya Namah
Shri Vedavyasaya Namah

You are my mother; you are my father

You are my relative; you are my friend
You are my knowledge; you are my wealth
You are my everything and my God

AADIPARVA
Anukramanikaparv
Prathamodhyaya

I bow down to Narayan and Nara, the greatest among humans.

After worshipping Devi Saraswati and Vyasa, I commence the Jaya.

*Jaya corresponds to spiritual gains where no one is a loser. Vijaya or “Vishesh Jaya” is a
material gain where either party is a winner or loser. All kinds of Arsha grantha or books written
by learned people come in the category of Jaya.

Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaya

Om Namo Pitamahaya
Om Namo Prajapatibhyaha
Om Namo Krishnadwaipayanaya
Om Namo Sarvavighnavinayakebhyaha

—
Maharishi Shaunak, the head of the ashram of Naimishaaranya, was organizing a twelve-year-
long Satra. This program included various philanthropic activities and philosophical debates and
discourses. Many learned and prosperous men and women from distant places attended this
famed program regularly. Between the duration of the event, the eminent Bramharishis, who
have practiced extreme Bramhacharya throughout their lives, were seated for a casual
conversation when they were approached decently by a mystified Ugrashrava Sauti. That son of
Lomaharshan, belonging to the Suta caste, was a scholar in Puranas and the art of storytelling
and recitation.

Upon realizing the presence of such an exciting person at the event, all attendees of the Satra
surrounded him to learn some interesting topics from his mouth. Ugrashrava, in a very sober
manner, joined his hands and bowed down to all Munis and Tapasvis present over there. “My
Namaskar to everyone present here. Are your austerities proceeding successfully?” he
presented his formal concerns. The noble people present over there affirmed him and paid him
their obeisances. Then, Ugrashrava and his audience took their respective seats. After easing
up a bit, one of the Maharishis, to begin the conversation, asked politely, “Sauti! How did you
plan to pay such a wonderful visit to this place? Where have you spent your valuable time
before? What incidents have your lotus-shaped eyes experienced throughout your entire
journey? Please, enlighten us!”

Ugrashrava was a man of intricate words and sophisticated vocabulary. As a reply to this
common question, he proceeded to narrate a valuable tale for people with excellent knowledge
and significant responsibilities,

“I attended the Sarpa Satra (snake sacrifice) of Mahatma Rajarishi Janmejaya. Many
Paarthivendras (rulers and royalties) were present in this Yagna of Parikshit’s son. In this event,
I listened to Vaishampayan's thorough and splendid recitation of his Guru, Krishna
Dvaipaayan’s mystic masterpiece, Mahabharat.

I have also traveled to various holy places and religious sites, obtaining service from different
Brahmans. As a part of this pilgrimage, I visited the great area of Samanta Panchak
Kurukshetra, where once Kauravas and Pandavas, along with other allied dynasties and
kingdoms, fought a legendary battle.

From there, I wished to visit you noble people and decided to arrive here. All of you present
here are long-living and the epitome of Brahma. All great and fortunate people present here are
adorned with the vibrance like the Sun and fire.

You glisten after completing your daily consecration, meditation, and sacrificial rituals and are
seated on your respective seats in a healthy state. Please order me; what should I recite to pay
you homage? Shall I repeat the Puranas with extraordinary tales of virtue and various meanings
of Dharma, or shall I sing the historical feats of great kings, sages, and divine souls?”

To this, the Rishis requested, “The historical Purana, first promulgated by the great Rishi
Dvaipayana, and which after having been heard both by the Suras and Bramharishis, was
highly esteemed, being the most eminent narrative that exists, diversified both in diction and
division, possessing subtle meanings logically combined, and gleaned from the Vedas, is a
sacred work. Composed of elegant language, it includes the subjects of other books. It is
elucidated by other Shastras and comprehends the sense of the four Vedas. We are desirous of
hearing that history of Bharata, the holy composition of the wonderful Vyasa, which dispels the
fear of evil, just as it was cheerfully recited by Vaisampayana, under the direction of Dvaipayana
himself, at the Sarpa Satra of Raja Janamejaya.”