Chapter 1: Preface: Overview of the Bhārata, Layered Meanings, and Expansion
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The Suta said:
[PV-KDV:01_001_10] (Jaya)
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)
the various, most sacred tales proclaimed by Krishna Dvaipayana and duly recounted by Vaishampayana... (BORI: 1-001-9)
[PV-KDV:01_001_12] (Jaya)
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)
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)
between the Pandavas, the Kurus, and all the kings. (BORI: 1-001-11)
[PV-KDV:01_001_15] (Jaya)
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)
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)
You are seated here at ease. What shall I tell you, O Brahmins— (BORI: 1-001-13)
[PV-KDV:01_001_18] (Jaya)
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)
The seers said:
[PV-KDV:01_001_20] (Jaya)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The Suta said:
[PV-KDV:01_001_26] (Jaya)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Surrounded by all the assembled sages, he prepared a seat. (KUMB: 1-1-83; NILA: 01.001.058)
[PV-KDV:01_001_60] (Jaya)
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)
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)
Hey
[PV-KDV:01_001_63] (Jaya)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Then Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, called Heramba to mind. (KUMB: 1-1-111; NILA: 01.001.075)
[PV-KDV:01_001_73] (Jaya)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)