The gratification that one
deriveth from attaining to heaven is scarcely equal to that which one
deriveth from hearing this holy history. The virtuous man who with
reverence heareth it or causeth it to be heard, obtaineth the fruit of the
Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice. The Bharata is said to be as much a mine
of gems as the vast Ocean or the great mountain Meru. This history is
sacred and excellent, and is equivalent to the Vedas, worthy of being
heard, pleasing to the ear, sin-cleansing, and virtue-increasing. O
monarch, he that giveth a copy of the Bharata to one that asketh for it
doth indeed make a present of the whole earth with her belt of seas. O son
of Parikshit, this pleasant narration that giveth virtue and victory I am
about to recite in its entirety: listen to it. The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana
regularly rising for three years, composed this wonderful history called
Mahabharata. O bull amongst the Bharata monarchs, whatever is spoken about
virtue, wealth, pleasure, and salvation may be seen elsewhere; but
whatever is not contained in this is not to be found anywhere.'"
SECTION LXIII
(Adivansavatarana Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'There was a king of the name of Uparichara. That
monarch was devoted to virtue. He was very much addicted also to hunting.
That king of the Paurava race, called also Vasu, conquered the excellent
and delightful kingdom of Chedi under instructions from Indra. Some time
after, the king gave up the use of arms and, dwelling in a secluded
retreat, practised the most severe austerities.
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