Chapter 1: Preface: Overview of the Bhārata, Layered Meanings, and Expansion
जयति पराशरसूनुः सत्यवतीहृदयनन्दनो व्यासः। यस्यास्यकमलगलितं वाङ्मयममृतं जगत्पिबति ॥
Victorious is Vyāsa, the son of Parāśara and the delight of Satyavatī’s heart; the whole world drinks the immortal nectar of literature flowing from the lotus of his mouth.
[PV-KDV:01_001_1] (Jaya)
लोमहर्षणपुत्र उग्रश्रवाः सूतः पौराणिको नैमिषारण्ये शौनकस्य कुलपतेर्द्वादशवार्षिके सत्रे ॥BORI: १-००१-१॥
Ugraśravas, the Suta, son of Lomaharṣaṇa and a reciter of ancient lore, at Kulapati Śaunaka’s twelve-year sacrificial session in the Naimiṣa Forest… (BORI: 1-001-1)
[PV-KDV:01_001_3] (Jaya)
समासीनानभ्यगच्छद्ब्रह्मर्षीन्संशितव्रतान्। विनयावनतो भूत्वा कदाचित्सूतनन्दनः ॥BORI: १-००१-२॥
One day, the Suta’s son bowed respectfully and approached the seated Brahmarshis, who were firm in their vows. (BORI: 1-001-2)
[PV-KDV:01_001_4] (Jaya)
तमाश्रममनुप्राप्तं नैमिषारण्यवासिनः। चित्राः श्रोतुं कथास्तत्र परिवव्रुस्तपस्विनः ॥BORI: १-००१-३॥
When he arrived at the hermitage, the ascetics dwelling in the Naimisha Forest gathered around him there to hear wondrous tales. (BORI: 1-001-3)
[PV-KDV:01_001_5] (Jaya)
अभिवाद्य मुनींस्तांस्तु सर्वानेव कृताञ्जलिः।अपृच्छत्स तपोवृद्धिं सद्भिश्चैवाभिनन्दितः ॥BORI: १-००१-४॥
With palms joined, he greeted all those sages and asked about the progress of their austerities; the holy men welcomed him in turn. (BORI: 1-001-4)
[PV-KDV:01_001_6] (Jaya)
अथ तेषूपविष्टेषु सर्वेष्वेव तपस्विषु।निर्दिष्टमासनं भेजे विनयाल्लोमहर्षणिः ॥BORI: १-००१-५॥
Then, when all the ascetics had taken their seats, Lomaharshana respectfully took the seat assigned to him. (BORI: 1-001-5)
[PV-KDV:01_001_7] (Jaya)
सुखासीनं ततस्तं तु विश्रान्तमुपलक्ष्य च।अथापृच्छदृषिस्तत्र कश्चित्प्रस्तावयन्कथाः ॥BORI: १-००१-६॥
Then, seeing that he was comfortably seated and rested, one of the sages there began a conversation and asked: (BORI: 1-001-6)
[PV-KDV:01_001_8] (Jaya)
कुत आगम्यते सौते क्व चायं विहृतस्त्वया।कालः कमलपत्राक्ष शंसैतत्पृच्छतो मम ॥BORI: १-००१-७॥
Where have you come from, O Suta, and where have you spent this time, lotus-eyed one? Tell me this, for I ask you. (BORI: 1-001-7)
[PV-KDV:01_001_9] (Jaya)
सूत उवाच॥
The Suta said:
[PV-KDV:01_001_10] (Jaya)
जनमेजयस्य राजर्षेः सर्पसत्रे महात्मनः।समीपे पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य सम्यक्पारिक्षितस्य च ॥BORI: १-००१-८॥
At the snake sacrifice of the great royal sage Janamejaya, in the presence of that foremost of kings, the worthy son of Parikshit... (BORI: 1-001-8)
[PV-KDV:01_001_11] (Jaya)
कृष्णद्वैपायनप्रोक्ताः सुपुण्या विविधाः कथाः।कथिताश्चापि विधिवद्या वैशम्पायनेन वै ॥BORI: १-००१-९॥
the various, most sacred tales proclaimed by Krishna Dvaipayana and duly recounted by Vaishampayana... (BORI: 1-001-9)
[PV-KDV:01_001_12] (Jaya)
श्रुत्वाहं ता विचित्रार्था महाभारतसंश्रिताः।बहूनि सम्परिक्रम्य तीर्थान्यायतनानि च ॥BORI: १-००१-१०॥
After hearing those stories of varied content contained in the Mahabharata, and visiting many sacred fords and shrines… (BORI: 1-001-10)
[PV-KDV:01_001_13] (Jaya)
समन्तपञ्चकं नाम पुण्यं द्विजनिषेवितम्।गतवानस्मि तं देशं युद्धं यत्राभवत्पुरा ॥BORI: १-००१-११॥
I went to the sacred land called Samantapañcaka, frequented by Brahmins, where long ago there was a war... (BORI: 1-001-11)
[PV-KDV:01_001_14] (Jaya)
पाण्डवानां कुरूणां च सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम् ॥BORI: १-००१-११॥
between the Pandavas, the Kurus, and all the kings. (BORI: 1-001-11)
[PV-KDV:01_001_15] (Jaya)
दिदृक्षुरागतस्तस्मात्समीपं भवतामिह।आयुष्मन्तः सर्व एव ब्रह्मभूता हि मे मताः ॥BORI: १-००१-१२॥
Wishing to see them, I have therefore come here into your presence. Long-lived ones, I indeed regard you all as having become Brahman. (BORI: 1-001-12)
[PV-KDV:01_001_16] (Jaya)
अस्मिन्यज्ञे महाभागाः सूर्यपावकवर्चसः।कृताभिषेकाः शुचयः कृतजप्या हुताग्नयः ॥BORI: १-००१-१३॥
In this sacrifice, O greatly blessed ones, radiant as the sun and fire, you sit here after performing your ablutions, purified, having recited your prayers and offered oblations into the fire… (BORI: 1-001-13)
[PV-KDV:01_001_17] (Jaya)
भवन्त आसते स्वस्था ब्रवीमि किमहं द्विजाः ॥BORI: १-००१-१३॥
You are seated here at ease. What shall I tell you, O Brahmins— (BORI: 1-001-13)
[PV-KDV:01_001_18] (Jaya)
पुराणसंश्रिताः पुण्याः कथा वा धर्मसंश्रिताः।इतिवृत्तं नरेन्द्राणामृषीणां च महात्मनाम् ॥BORI: १-००१-१४॥
Sacred tales drawn from the Puranas or concerning dharma; the history of kings and great-souled seers? (BORI: 1-001-14)
[PV-KDV:01_001_19] (Jaya)
ऋषय ऊचुः॥
The seers said:
[PV-KDV:01_001_20] (Jaya)
द्वैपायनेन यत्प्रोक्तं पुराणं परमर्षिणा।सुरैर्ब्रह्मर्षिभिश्चैव श्रुत्वा यदभिपूजितम् ॥BORI: १-००१-१५॥
That Purana which was proclaimed by the great seer Dvaipayana and, upon being heard by the gods and Brahmarshis, was highly esteemed... (BORI: 1-001-15)
[PV-KDV:01_001_21] (Jaya)
तस्याख्यानवरिष्ठस्य विचित्रपदपर्वणः।सूक्ष्मार्थन्याययुक्तस्य वेदार्थैर्भूषितस्य च ॥BORI: १-००१-१६॥
of that finest of narratives, with its varied words and sections, endowed with subtle meanings and reasoning, and adorned with the meanings of the Vedas... (BORI: 1-001-16)
[PV-KDV:01_001_22] (Jaya)
भारतस्येतिहासस्य पुण्यां ग्रन्थार्थसंयुताम्।संस्कारोपगतां ब्राह्मीं नानाशास्त्रोपबृंहिताम् ॥BORI: १-००१-१७॥
the sacred history of the Bhāratas, replete with the meaning of the work, refined, holy, and enriched by many śāstras… (BORI: 1-001-17)
[PV-KDV:01_001_23] (Jaya)
जनमेजयस्य यां राज्ञो वैशम्पायन उक्तवान्।यथावत्स ऋषिस्तुष्ट्या सत्रे द्वैपायनाज्ञया ॥BORI: १-००१-१८॥
which the sage Vaishampayana accurately and gladly recited to King Janamejaya at the sacrificial session, at Dvaipayana’s command... (BORI: 1-001-18)
[PV-KDV:01_001_24] (Jaya)
वेदैश्चतुर्भिः समितां व्यासस्याद्भुतकर्मणः।संहितां श्रोतुमिच्छामो धर्म्यां पापभयापहाम् ॥BORI: १-००१-१९॥
We wish to hear that sacred compilation of Vyasa, the performer of wondrous deeds, which is equal to the four Vedas, accords with dharma, and dispels the fear of sin. (BORI: 1-001-19)
[PV-KDV:01_001_25] (Jaya)
सूत उवाच॥
The Suta said:
[PV-KDV:01_001_26] (Jaya)
निष्प्रभेऽस्मिन्निरालोके सर्वतस्तमसावृते।बृहदण्डमभूदेकं प्रजानां बीजमक्षयम् ॥BORI: १-००१-२७॥
In this lightless, unillumined expanse, enveloped on every side in darkness, there arose a single vast egg, the imperishable seed of all creatures. (BORI: 1-001-27)
[PV-KDV:01_001_34] (Jaya)
युगस्यादौ निमित्तं तन्महद्दिव्यं प्रचक्षते।यस्मिंस्तच्छ्रूयते सत्यं ज्योतिर्ब्रह्म सनातनम् ॥BORI: १-००१-२८॥
At the beginning of the age, they declare it to be the great divine cause, within which, it is said, is that true light, eternal Brahman… (BORI: 1-001-28)
[PV-KDV:01_001_35] (Jaya)
अद्भुतं चाप्यचिन्त्यं च सर्वत्र समतां गतम्।अव्यक्तं कारणं सूक्ष्मं यत्तत्सदसदात्मकम् ॥BORI: १-००१-२९॥
wondrous and inconceivable, equally present everywhere—the unmanifest, subtle cause, that which is of the nature of both being and non-being... (BORI: 1-001-29)
[PV-KDV:01_001_36] (Jaya)
यस्मात्पितामहो जज्ञे प्रभुरेकः प्रजापतिः।ब्रह्मा सुरगुरुः स्थाणुर्मनुः कः परमेष्ठ्यथ ॥BORI: १-००१-३०॥
from which was born the Grandfather—the sole lord Prajāpati Brahmā, teacher of the gods—and then Sthāṇu, Manu, Ka, and Parameṣṭhin… (BORI: 1-001-30)
[PV-KDV:01_001_37] (Jaya)
भूतस्थानानि सर्वाणि रहस्यं त्रिविधं च यत्।वेदयोगं सविज्ञानं धर्मोऽर्थः काम एव च ॥BORI: १-००१-४६॥
all the abodes of beings, the threefold mystery, the application of the Vedas together with full understanding, and duty, wealth, and pleasure… (BORI: 1-001-46)
[PV-KDV:01_001_53] (Jaya)
धर्मकामार्थशास्त्राणि शास्त्राणि विविधानि च।लोकयात्राविधानं च सम्भूतं दृष्टवानृषिः ॥BORI: १-००१-४७॥
The sage saw that treatises on righteousness, desire, and wealth, various other sciences, and the ordering of worldly life had come into being. (BORI: 1-001-47)
[PV-KDV:01_001_54] (Jaya)
इतिहासाः सवैयाख्या विविधाः श्रुतयोऽपि च।इह सर्वमनुक्रान्तमुक्तं ग्रन्थस्य लक्षणम् ॥BORI: १-००१-४८॥
Histories with their explanations, and various sacred traditions as well—all this has been covered here, and the character of the work has been stated. (BORI: 1-001-48)
[PV-KDV:01_001_55] (Jaya)
तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण व्यस्य वेदं सनातनम्।इतिहासमिमं चक्रे पुण्यं सत्यवतीसुतः ॥BORI: १-००१-५२॥
Through austerity and celibacy, Satyavatī’s son arranged the eternal Veda and composed this sacred history. (BORI: 1-001-52)
[PV-KDV:01_001_56] (Jaya)
तस्याख्यानवरिष्ठस्य कृत्वा द्वैपायनः प्रभुः । कथमध्यापयानीह शिष्यानित्यन्वचिन्तयत् ॥KUMB: १-१-८०; NILA: ०१.००१.०५५; NILA: ०१.००१.०५६॥
Having composed that most excellent of narratives, the mighty Dvaipayana reflected, “How shall I teach it here to my disciples?” (KUMB: 1-1-80; NILA: 01.001.055; NILA: 01.001.056)
[PV-KDV:01_001_57] (Jaya)
तस्य तच्चिन्तितं ज्ञात्वा ऋषेर्द्वैपायनस्य च । तत्राजगाम भगवान्ब्रह्मा लोकगुरुः स्वयम् ॥KUMB: १-१-८१; NILA: ०१.००१.०५६; NILA: ०१.००१.०५७॥
Knowing what the sage Dvaipayana was pondering, the blessed Brahma, teacher of the world, came there in person. (KUMB: 1-1-81; NILA: 01.001.056; NILA: 01.001.057)
[PV-KDV:01_001_58] (Jaya)
प्रीत्यर्थं तस्य चैवर्षेर्लोकानां हितकाम्यया । तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मितो भूत्वा प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतः स्थितः ॥KUMB: १-१-८२; NILA: ०१.००१.०५७; NILA: ०१.००१.०५८॥
to please that sage and out of a desire for the welfare of the worlds. Seeing him, the sage stood astonished, bowing with joined palms. (KUMB: 1-1-82; NILA: 01.001.057; NILA: 01.001.058)
[PV-KDV:01_001_59] (Jaya)
आसनं कल्पयामास सर्वैर्मुनिगणैर्वृतः ॥KUMB: १-१-८३; NILA: ०१.००१.०५८॥
Surrounded by all the assembled sages, he prepared a seat. (KUMB: 1-1-83; NILA: 01.001.058)
[PV-KDV:01_001_60] (Jaya)
हिरण्यमर्भमासीनं तस्मिंस्तु परमासने । परिवृत्यासनभ्याशे वासवेयः स्थितोऽभवत् ॥KUMB: १-१-८४; NILA: ०१.००१.०५९॥
Vasava’s son circumambulated Hiranyagarbha, who was seated on that supreme throne, and then stood nearby. (KUMB: 1-1-84; NILA: 01.001.059)
[PV-KDV:01_001_61] (Jaya)
अनुज्ञातोऽथ कृष्णस्तु ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना । निषसादासनाभ्याशे प्रीयमाणः शुचिस्मितः ॥KUMB: १-१-८५; NILA: ०१.००१.०६०॥
Then, with the permission of Brahmā, the Supreme Lord, the pure-smiling Kṛṣṇa sat down nearby, filled with delight. (KUMB: 1-1-85; NILA: 01.001.060)
[PV-KDV:01_001_62] (Jaya)
उवाच स महातेजा ब्रह्माणं परमेष्ठिनम् । कृतं मयेदं भगवन्काव्यं परमपूजितम् ॥KUMB: १-१-८६; NILA: ०१.००१.०६१॥
Hey
[PV-KDV:01_001_63] (Jaya)
ब्रह्मन्वेदरहस्य च यच्चान्यत्स्थापितं मया । साङ्गोपनिषदां चैव वेदानां विस्तरक्रिया ॥KUMB: १-१-८७; NILA: ०१.००१.०६२॥
O Brahmā, the secret of the Veda and whatever else I have set forth, as well as a detailed exposition of the Vedas together with their ancillary disciplines and Upaniṣads... (KUMB: 1-1-87; NILA: 01.001.062)
[PV-KDV:01_001_64] (Jaya)
इतिहासप्रदीपेन मोहावरणघातिना । लोकगर्भगृहं कृत्स्नं यथावत्संप्रकाशितम् ॥KUMB: १-१-१०३; NILA: ०१.००१.०८७॥
By the lamp of history, which dispels the veil of delusion, the whole inner chamber of the world has been illuminated just as it is. (KUMB: 1-1-103; NILA: 01.001.087)
[PV-KDV:01_001_65] (Jaya)
काव्यस्य लेखनार्थाय गणेशः स्मर्यतां मुने. ॥KUMB: १-१-१०९; NILA: ०१.००१.०७४॥
O sage, call Ganesha to mind so that he may write the poem. (KUMB: 1-1-109; NILA: 01.001.074)
[PV-KDV:01_001_71] (Jaya)
एवमाभाष्य तं ब्रह्मा जगाम स्वं निवेशनम् । भगवान्स जगत्स्रष्टा ऋषिदेवगणैः सह ॥KUMB: १-१-११०; NILA: ०१.००१.०७४॥
Having spoken to him thus, the blessed Brahmā, creator of the world, departed for his own abode together with the hosts of seers and gods. (KUMB: 1-1-110; NILA: 01.001.074)
[PV-KDV:01_001_72] (Jaya)
ततः सस्मार हेरम्बं व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः ॥KUMB: १-१-१११; NILA: ०१.००१.०७५॥
Then Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, called Heramba to mind. (KUMB: 1-1-111; NILA: 01.001.075)
[PV-KDV:01_001_73] (Jaya)
स्मृतमात्रो गणेशानो भक्तचिन्तितपूरकः । तत्राजगाम विघ्नेशो वेदव्यासो यतः स्थितः ॥KUMB: १-१-११२; NILA: ०१.००१.०७५; NILA: ०१.००१.०७६॥
As soon as he was remembered, Ganesha, the Lord of Obstacles who fulfills his devotees’ wishes, came to the place where Vedavyasa was staying. (KUMB: 1-1-112; NILA: 01.001.075; NILA: 01.001.076)
[PV-KDV:01_001_74] (Jaya)
पूजितश्चोपविष्टश्च व्यासेनोक्तस्तदानघ । लेखको भारतस्यास्य भव त्वं गणनायक ॥ मयैव प्रोच्यमानस्य मनसा कल्पितस्य च ॥KUMB: १-१-११३; NILA: ०१.००१.०७६; NILA: ०१.००१.०७७॥
After he had been honored and had taken his seat, Vyasa addressed him, O sinless one: “Leader of the Ganas, be the scribe of this Bharata, conceived in my mind and recited by me.” (KUMB: 1-1-113; NILA: 01.001.076; NILA: 01.001.077)
[PV-KDV:01_001_75] (Jaya)
श्रुत्वैतत्प्राह विघ्नेशो यदि मे लेखनी क्षणम् । लिखतो नावतिष्ठेत तदा स्यां लेखको ह्यहम् ॥KUMB: १-१-११४; NILA: ०१.००१.०७८॥
Hearing this, Vighnesha said, “If my pen does not pause for even a moment as I write, then I shall indeed be the scribe.” (KUMB: 1-1-114; NILA: 01.001.078)
[PV-KDV:01_001_76] (Jaya)
व्यासोऽप्युवाच तं देवमबुद्ध्वा मा लिख क्वचित् । ओमित्युक्त्वा गणेशोपि बभूव किल लेखकः ॥KUMB: १-१-११५; NILA: ०१.००१.०७९॥
Vyāsa in turn said to the god, “Never write anything without understanding it.” Saying “Om,” Gaṇeśa then became his scribe. (KUMB: 1-1-115; NILA: 01.001.079)
[PV-KDV:01_001_77] (Jaya)
ग्रन्थग्रन्थिं तदा चक्रे मुनिर्गूढं कुतूहलात् । यस्मिन्प्रतिज्ञया प्राह मुनिर्द्वैपायनस्त्विदम् ॥KUMB: १-१-११६; NILA: ०१.००१.०८०॥
Then, out of curiosity, the sage fashioned an obscure knot in the text, concerning which the sage Dvaipayana made this declaration: (KUMB: 1-1-116; NILA: 01.001.080)
[PV-KDV:01_001_78] (Jaya)
अष्टौ श्लोकसहस्राणि अष्टौ श्लोकशतानि च । अहं वेद्मि शुको वेत्ति संजयो वेत्ति वा न वा ॥KUMB: १-१-११७; NILA: ०१.००१.०८१॥
I know eight thousand eight hundred verses; Śuka knows them, and Saṃjaya may or may not know them. (KUMB: 1-1-117; NILA: 01.001.081)
[PV-KDV:01_001_79] (Jaya)
तच्छ्लोककूटमद्यापि ग्रथितं सुदृढं मुने । भेत्तुं न शक्यतेऽर्थस्यं गूढत्वात्प्रश्रितस्य च ॥KUMB: १-१-११८; NILA: ०१.००१.०८२॥
Even today, O sage, that knot of verses remains firmly tied and cannot be unraveled because its meaning is obscure and compressed. (KUMB: 1-1-118; NILA: 01.001.082)
[PV-KDV:01_001_80] (Jaya)
सर्वज्ञोपि गणेशो यत्क्षणमास्ते विचारयन् । तावच्चकार व्यासोपि श्लोकानन्यान्बहूनपि ॥KUMB: १-१-११९; NILA: ०१.००१.०८३॥
While even the all-knowing Ganesha paused for a moment to consider it, Vyasa composed many other verses. (KUMB: 1-1-119; NILA: 01.001.083)
[PV-KDV:01_001_81] (Jaya)
तस्य वृक्षस्य वक्ष्यामि शाखापुष्पफलोदयम् । स्वादुमेध्यरसोपेतमच्छेद्यममरैरपि ॥KUMB: १-१-१२०; NILA: ०१.००१.०९३॥
I shall describe the growth of that tree—its branches, flowers, and fruit—filled with sweet, wholesome sap and impossible even for the immortals to cut down. (KUMB: 1-1-120; NILA: 01.001.093)
[PV-KDV:01_001_82] (Jaya)
इदं द्वैपायनः पूर्वं पुत्रमध्यापयच्छुकम्।ततोऽन्येभ्योऽनुरूपेभ्यः शिष्येभ्यः प्रददौ प्रभुः ॥BORI: १-००१-६३॥
Dvaipāyana first taught this to his son Śuka; then the master imparted it to other worthy disciples. (BORI: 1-001-63)
[PV-KDV:01_001_83] (Jaya)
जनमेजयेन पृष्टः सन्ब्राह्मणैश्च सहस्रशः।शशास शिष्यमासीनं वैशम्पायनमन्तिके ॥BORI: १-००१-५७॥
When questioned by Janamejaya and by Brahmins in their thousands, he instructed his disciple Vaishampayana, who was seated nearby. (BORI: 1-001-57)
[PV-KDV:01_001_84] (Jaya)
स सदस्यैः सहासीनः श्रावयामास भारतम्।कर्मान्तरेषु यज्ञस्य चोद्यमानः पुनः पुनः ॥BORI: १-००१-५८॥
Seated with the assembly, he recited the Bharata during intervals in the sacrifice, prompted again and again. (BORI: 1-001-58)
[PV-KDV:01_001_85] (Jaya)
चतुर्विंशतिसाहस्रीं चक्रे भारतसंहिताम्।उपाख्यानैर्विना तावद्भारतं प्रोच्यते बुधैः ॥BORI: १-००१-६१॥
He composed the Bhārata collection in twenty-four thousand verses; the learned say that this is the extent of the Bhārata without the subsidiary tales. (BORI: 1-001-61)
[PV-KDV:01_001_86] (Jaya)
विस्तीर्यैतन्महज्ज्ञानमृषिः सङ्क्षेपमब्रवीत्।इष्टं हि विदुषां लोके समासव्यासधारणम् ॥BORI: १-००१-४९॥
After expounding this great body of knowledge at length, the sage also presented it in brief; for learned people in this world value both concise and detailed accounts. (BORI: 1-001-49)
[PV-KDV:01_001_87] (Jaya)
मन्वादि भारतं केचिदास्तीकादि तथापरे।तथोपरिचराद्यन्ये विप्राः सम्यगधीयते ॥BORI: १-००१-५०॥
Some Brahmins study the Bharata properly from the story of Manu onward, others from the story of Astika, and still others from the story of Uparicara. (BORI: 1-001-50)
[PV-KDV:01_001_88] (Jaya)
विविधं संहिताज्ञानं दीपयन्ति मनीषिणः।व्याख्यातुं कुशलाः केचिद्ग्रन्थं धारयितुं परे ॥BORI: १-००१-५१॥
The learned illuminate the diverse lore of the compilation; some are skilled at expounding it, while others can commit the text to memory. (BORI: 1-001-51)
[PV-KDV:01_001_89] (Jaya)
ततोऽध्यर्धशतं भूयः सङ्क्षेपं कृतवानृषिः।अनुक्रमणिमध्यायं वृत्तान्तानां सपर्वणाम् ॥BORI: १-००१-६२॥
Then the sage made a further abridgment in one hundred and fifty verses: the Anukramaṇī chapter, covering the events together with their books. (BORI: 1-001-62)
[PV-KDV:01_001_90] (Jaya)
यो विद्याच्चतुरो वेदान्साङ्गोपनिषदान्द्विजः । न चाख्यानमिदं विद्यान्नैव स स्याद्विचक्षणः ॥BORI: १-००२-२३५॥
A twice-born man who knew the four Vedas, together with their ancillary disciplines and the Upanishads, but did not know this narrative, would not be truly learned. (BORI: 1-002-235)
[PV-KDV:01_001_563] (Jaya)
क्रियागुणानां सर्वेषामिदमाख्यानमाश्रयः । इन्द्रियाणां समस्तानां चित्रा इव मनःक्रियाः ॥BORI: १-००२-२३९॥
This narrative is the basis of all actions and qualities, just as the manifold activity of the mind is the basis of all the senses. (BORI: 1-002-239)
[PV-KDV:01_001_567] (Jaya)
अनाश्रित्यैतदाख्यानं कथा भुवि न विद्यते । आहारमनपाश्रित्य शरीरस्येव धारणम् ॥BORI: १-००२-२४०॥
No tale exists on earth that does not draw upon this narrative, just as the body cannot be sustained without food. (BORI: 1-002-240)
[PV-KDV:01_001_568] (Jaya)
आख्यानं तदिदमनुत्तमं महार्थं; विन्यस्तं महदिह पर्वसङ्ग्रहेण । श्रुत्वादौ भवति नृणां सुखावगाहं; विस्तीर्णं लवणजलं यथा प्लवेन ॥BORI: १-००२-२४३॥
This great, unsurpassed narrative, profound in meaning, has been set out here in a summary of its books. Once people have heard this at the outset, it becomes easy for them to enter, like the vast ocean of salt water with a boat. (BORI: 1-002-243)
[PV-KDV:01_001_571] (Jaya)