Janamejaya Requests Vyaas Jee to Recite Bhaarat

Shaunak Jee said - "Hey Soot Jee, You have told us  the story of Bhrigu Vansh from the beginning, now we wish to hear the history written by Vyaas." Soot Jee said - "Many Braahman have said many things based on Ved but Vyaas Jee has written Bhaarat wonderfully well. After the sacrifice this was recited to Janamejaya by Vyaas Jee. I will tell you this Bhaarat in full, because I also enjoy reciting this.

Soot Jee said - "Hearing that Janamejaya installed Rishi Krishn Dwaipaayan Jee, born from virgin Kaali by Shakti's son Paraashar, in sacrifice, . He developed his body at his will as soon as he was born and mastered Ved and histories etc. He divided Ved in four parts. He knew Brahm and had the knowledge of past. He produced Dhritraashtra, Paandu and Vidur to continue Shaantanu's family line. He entered the compound of the Yagya of Janamejaya. He saw Janamejaya sitting near the Vedee along with other Ritwik and Sadasya. Seeing Vyaas Jee coming to his Yagya, Janamejaya welcomed him and offered a golden seat to sit upon. He worshipped him, offered Arghya, water to wash his feet and cows. When Vyaas was seated comfortably, Janamejaya asked him - "You yourself have seen the acts of Kaurav and Paandav, I wish to hear their story from you. What was the reason of their fight that it was turned into such a great battle that it caused for such a big destruction?" Vyaas Jee asked his disciple Vaishampaayan Jee to recite Bhaarat to him as he had heard from him. Then Vaishampaayan Jee told the whole story to Janamejaya.

Vaishampaayan Jee started saying - "After doing Saashtaang Pranaam first to my Guru, then worshipping all Braahman present here, I recite it as I have heard from Vyaas. Listen to it now why the quarrel started between Kuru and Paandav. After the death of their father (Paandu), Paandav came home and soon became skilled in archery. Seeing Paandav gifted in physical strength, energy, mind, and also popular in public, Kaurav became very jealous with them. So Duryodhan, Karn and Subal's son Shakuni started troubling them to acquire the undisputed kingdom. He gave poison to Bheem but he digested the poison with food. Once he tied him with rope and threw him in Gangaa River. He broke all rope when he woke up. He was bitten  by black snakes there but he did not die there. Vidur was always there to neutralize their enmity.

When Duryodhan failed to kill Paandav, he called Karn and Dushaasan etc and with the knowledge of Dhritraashtra he constructed a house of Laakh in Baaranaavat and Dhritraashtra with the desire of doing good for his children tactfully sent Paandav there. But again by Vidur's advice, they all came out safely from there. They lived in that palace for one year protecting themselves from Purochan, then fled in fear along with their mother. Then Bheem married Hidimbaa [after killing her brother Hidimb] and Ghatotkach was born to her. Then they went to Ekchakraa Nagaree and Bheem killed Bakaasur there. Then they went to Paanchaal country and married Draupadee. This made them known so they came back to Hasinaapur.

Then Bheeshm and Dhritraashtra said to them - "In order to eliminate the quarrel between you we are dividing the kingdom. We have decided that you should live in Khaandavprasth, therefore go there and be free from jealousy. They went there and lived for many years. They won many countries. Once Yudhishthir had to send Arjun to forest. He lived there for 11 years and some months. During this period he happened to be in Dwaaraavatee (Dwaarakaa) to see Krishn. There he married to Vaasudev's younger sister Subhadraa. After that Arjun and Krishn gratified Agni Dev (by burning medicinal plants in Khaandav Van to cure Agni's indigestion). Agni Dev gave him Gaandeev bow, an inexhaustible quiver, and a war chariot bearing the figure of Garud on its standard. At that time Arjun saved Maya Daanav from fire. To show his gratitude to him, Maya Daanav built a wonderful assembly hall for Yudhishthir.

Wicked Duryodhan was filled with jealousy seeing that hall. He was tempted to acquire that hall and wealth so he invited Paandav to Hastinaapur to play dice game. He defeated them by cheating them through Shakuni, and sent them for 12 years in forest and one year in Agyaatvaas (concealment in the city). When they came after passing their 13 years, they claimed their property but Duryodhan did not agree for it and the war was declared. Paandav after killing the whole race of Kshatriya regained their kingdom. This is the history of Paandav."

Janamejaya said - "You have told me this story in brief, please tell me this in full. I am very curious to hear it. I am not satisfied to hear such a great history in nutshell. Why Bheem like man could control his anger? Why didn't Draupadee burn Dhritraashtra's sons just by a look of her eyes? Why the four younger brothers followed Yudhishthir who was greatly addicted to dice game? Why Arjun killed so many warriors of his enemy side? Please tell me all this in detail."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "This will take some time to hear, so you have to find time for it. It is very extensive. This was only the beginning. I will tell you in detail as Vyaas has written it. This Bhaarat consists of 100,000 Shlok. Who reads it and who tells it, both become like Brahm. It is like Ved and is very holy. It describes Arth and Kaam (wealth and pleasure). All sins committed by mind, body and word leave as one hears or tells this. This history is being recited now, and will be recited in future also. Who has read Mahaabhaarat, take him as he has read Ved. It is collection of all Shruti. The history of Bharat princes is called Mahaabhaarat.

Vyaas Jee completed this work in three years. Rising daily, he first performed his ascetic devotions, then he composed this. That is why this should be heard by Braahman with a vow. It is equivalent to Ved, worthy of being heard, pleasing to the ears, sin cleansing and virtue increasing. Now I am about to recite this in full so listen to it carefully."