This Bharata is a collection of all the Srutis, and is fit to
be heard by every virtuous person. That learned man who reciteth it to
Brahmanas during the sacred lunations, becometh cleansed of all sins, and,
not caring for heaven as it were, attaineth to a union with Brahma. He
that causeth even a single foot of this poem to be heard by Brahmanas
during the performance of a Sraddha, maketh that Sraddha inexhaustible,
the Pitris becoming ever gratified with the articles once presented to
them. The sins that are committed daily by our senses or the mind, those
that are committed knowingly or unknowingly by any man, are all destroyed
by hearing the Mahabharata. The history of the exalted birth of the
Bharata princes is called the Mahabharata. He who knoweth this etymology
of the name is cleansed of all his sins. And as this history of the
Bharata race is so wonderful, that, when recited, it assuredly purifieth
mortals from all sins. The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana completed his work in
three years. Rising daily and purifying himself and performing his ascetic
devotions, he composed this Mahabharata. Therefore, this should be heard
by Brahmanas with the formality of a vow. He who reciteth this holy
narration composed by Krishna (Vyasa) for the hearing of others, and they
who hear it, in whatever state he or they may be, can never be affected by
the fruit of deeds, good or bad. The man desirous of acquiring virtue
should hear it all. This is equivalent to all histories, and he that
heareth it always attaineth to purity of heart.
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