01.056
Core:Significance of Mahabharata as Artha-shastra, Dharma-shastra, and also Mokhsa-shastra.
Janamejaya said.
Indeed, you have concisely narrated everything, O best of the twice-born — the Mahābhārata, the great tale of the Kurus.
O sinless one, as you narrate this wondrous tale, an intense curiosity has arisen in me to hear it in detail.
You ought to narrate this again in detail, for I am not yet satisfied, hearing the great deeds of the ancients.
That reason is surely not trivial, for the Pāṇḍavas, though knowers of dharma, slew those who should not be slain, and are still praised by men.
For what reason did those powerful and guiltless tiger-like men, though virtuous, endure the torments inflicted upon them by the wicked?
How did Vṛkodara, mighty-armed and possessing the strength of ten thousand elephants, even while being tormented, restrain his anger, O best of the twice-born?
How did Draupadī, the chaste and dark-complexioned one, though afflicted by the wicked, not burn the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra with her terrible gaze, despite being capable?
How did the sons of Mādrī, Nakula and Sahadeva, also fall into the defeat of the dice game, following Yudhiṣṭhira, the tiger among men, as he was being deceived by the wicked?
How did Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Dharma, knower of righteousness, greatest among the upholders of dharma, endure such immense suffering though undeserving of it?
And how did Dhanañjaya, the Pāṇḍava with Kṛṣṇa as charioteer, alone shooting, send forth all those vast armies to the realm of the ancestors?
Tell me all this as it truly happened, O sage rich in austerity — all that those great warriors did in various places.
Vaiśampāyana said.
I shall fully expound the teaching of Vyāsa, the great-souled sage of boundless brilliance, who is revered in all the worlds.
This compilation of one hundred thousand verses of meritorious deeds was expounded here by Vyāsa, the son of Satyavatī, of boundless energy.
He who causes this to be heard, being learned, and he who listens to it — both attain the abode of Brahman and a status equal to the gods.
This sacred and supreme Purāṇa, praised by sages and regarded by the Vedas as equivalent to themselves, is the best among all that is to be heard.
In this epic of great merit, both financial wellbeing and righteousness are fully taught, and it fosters a steadfast intellect inclined toward liberation.
The learned one who causes this Veda of Kṛṣṇa (Vyāsa) to be heard by noble, charitable, truthful, and theistic people, attains its reward.
Even a very wicked man can undoubtedly rid himself of the sin of foeticide by listening to this epic.
This epic called "Jaya" should be heard by one desiring conquest — he conquers all the earth and vanquishes all enemies.
This is the most excellent text for begetting male offspring and for great auspiciousness; it should be heard repeatedly by the queen and the crown prince.
This is a sacred treatise on wealth, a supreme treatise on righteousness, and a declared scripture on liberation — spoken by Vyāsa of infinite intellect.
Even now, some recite it and others will continue to tell it; there are sons who are obedient and servants who act with affection.
A man who always listens to this quickly casts off all sins committed by body, speech, and even by the mind.
For those who hear of the great lineage of the Bhāratas without envy, there is no fear of disease — what fear then can there be of the afterlife?
This sacred, glorious, life-extending, and heaven-leading work was composed by Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana with the intent of doing merit.
By spreading the fame of the great-souled Pāṇḍavas and of other Kṣatriyas endowed with abundant wealth and valor in the world.
Just as the glorious ocean and Mount Himavat are both famed as treasure-houses of gems, so too is the Mahābhārata declared.
He who recites this to Brāhmaṇas on sacred occasions, being learned, is cleansed of sin, conquers heaven, and attains Brahmanhood.
And he who causes even a portion of this to be heard by Brāhmaṇas at a śrāddha ceremony — his śrāddha becomes inexhaustible and benefits even his ancestors.
Whatever sin a man commits unknowingly during the day — that is dissolved simply by hearing the narration of the Mahābhārata.
The Mahābhārata is called the great birth of the Bhāratas; whoever understands its interpretation is freed from all sins.
The ever-vigilant sage Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana composed this excellent narrative, the Mahābhārata, within three years.
O best of the Bhāratas, in righteousness, wealth, desire, and liberation — whatever is found here is found elsewhere; what is not here is found nowhere else.
