Chapter 59

“Saunaka said, ‘O son, thou hast narrated to me this extensive and greathistory commencing from the progeny of Bhrigu. O son of Suta, I have beenmuch gratified with thee. I ask thee again, to recite to me, O son of aSuta, the history composed by Vyasa.

The varied and wonderful narrationsthat were recited amongst those illustrious Sadasyas assembled at thesacrifice, in the intervals of their duties of that long-extendingceremony, and the objects also of those narrations, I desire to hear fromthee, O son of a Suta! Recite therefore, all those to me fully.’

‘Sauti said, ‘The Brahmanas, in the intervals of the duties, spoke ofmany things founded upon the Vedas. But Vyasa recited the wonderful andgreat history called the Bharata.’

“Saunaka said, ‘That sacred history called the Mahabharata, spreading thefame of the Pandavas, which Krishna-Dwaipayana, asked by Janamejaya,caused to be duly recited after the completion of the sacrifice. I desireto hear duly. That history hath been born of the ocean-like mind of thegreat Rishi of soul purified by yoga. Thou foremost of good men, reciteit unto me, for, O son of a Suta, my thirst hath not been appeased by allthou hast said.’

‘Sauti said, ‘I shall recite to thee from the beginning of that great andexcellent history called the Mahabharata composed by Vyasa. O Brahmana,listen to it in full, as I recite it. I myself feel a great pleasure inreciting it.'”