Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/322

 'Because this child hath been born in an extinct race, therefore be shall be called Parikshit. And Parikshit married Madravati thy mother, O king! And thou art born of her, O Janamejaya! Thou hast also begotten two sons in thy wife Vapustama, named Shatanika and Shankukarna. And Shatanika also hath begot one son named in the princess of Videha.

"Thus have I, O king, recited the history of the decendants of Puru and of the Pandavas. 'This excellent, virtue increasing, and sacred history should ever be listened to by vow-observing Brahmanas, by Kshatrias devoted to the practices of their order and ready to protect their subjects; by Vaisyas with attention, and by Sudras with reverence whose chief occupation is to wait upon the three other orders Brahmanas conversant with the Veda and other persons, who with attention and reverence recite this sacred history or listen to it when recited, subdue the heavens and attain to the mansions of the blest. They are also always respected and adored by the gods, Brahmanas, and other men. This holy history of Bharata hath been composed by the sacred and illustrious Vyasa. Veda-knowing Brahmanas and other persons who with reverence and without malice hear it recited, earn great religious merit and subdue the heavens. Though sinning they are not yet disregarded by any one. Here occurs a sloka, 'This (Bharata) is equal unto the Vedas: it is holy and excellent. It bestoweth wealth, fame, and life. Therefore should it be listened to by men with rapt attention.

Thus ends the ninety-fifth Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.

 

( Sambhava Parva continued. )

Vaisampayana said, "There was a king known by the name of Mahabhisha born in the race of Ikshaku. He was the lord of all the earth, and was truthful in speech and of true prowess. By a thousand horse-sacrifices and an hundred