Then comes 'Jalapradana' oblations of
water to the manes of the deceased, and then the wailings of the women.
The next must be known as 'Sraddha' describing the funeral rites performed
for the slain Kauravas. Then comes the destruction of the Rakshasa
Charvaka who had assumed the disguise of a Brahmana (for deceiving
Yudhishthira). Then the coronation of the wise Yudhishthira. The next is
called the 'Grihapravibhaga'. Then comes 'Santi', then
'Rajadharmanusasana', then 'Apaddharma', then 'Mokshadharma'. Those that
follow are called respectively 'Suka-prasna-abhigamana', 'Brahma-
prasnanusana', the origin of 'Durvasa', the disputations with Maya. The
next is to be known as 'Anusasanika'. Then the ascension of Bhishma to
heaven. Then the horse-sacrifice, which when read purgeth all sins away.
The next must be known as the 'Anugita' in which are words of spiritual
philosophy. Those that follow are called 'Asramvasa', 'Puttradarshana'
(meeting with the spirits of the deceased sons), and the arrival of Narada.
The next is called 'Mausala' which abounds with terrible and cruel
incidents. Then comes 'Mahaprasthanika' and ascension to heaven. Then
comes the Purana which is called Khilvansa. In this last are contained
'Vishnuparva', Vishnu's frolics and feats as a child, the destruction of
'Kansa', and lastly, the very wonderful 'Bhavishyaparva' (in which there
are prophecies regarding the future).
The high-souled Vyasa composed these hundred parvas of which the above is
only an abridgement: having distributed them into eighteen, the son of
Suta recited them consecutively in the forest of Naimisha as follows:
'In the Adi parva are contained Paushya, Pauloma, Astika, Adivansavatara,
Samva, the burning of the house of lac, the slaying of Hidimba, the
destruction of the Asura Vaka, Chitraratha, the Swayamvara of Draupadi,
her marriage after the overthrow of rivals in war, the arrival of Vidura,
the restoration, Arjuna's exile, the abduction of Subhadra, the gift and
receipt of the marriage dower, the burning of the Khandava forest, and the
meeting with (the Asura-architect) Maya.
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