Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/38

4 three thousand hundred and  The sons of Div were Brihadbhanu, Chakshush, Atma, Vibhavasu, Savita, Richika, Arka, Bhanu, Ashabaha, and Ravi. Of these Vivaswans of old, Mahya was the youngest whose son was The latter had for his son,  who, we learn, had three sons,—  and  each of them producing numerous offspring. The illustrious had ten thousand,  ten times that number, and  ten times the number of  offsprings. From these are descended the family of the Kurus, of the Yadus, and of Bharata; the family of Yayati and of Ikshwaku; also of all the Rajarshis. Numerous also were the generations produced, and very abundant were the creatures and their places of abode,—the mystery which is threefold, the Vedas, Yoga, and Vijnana,—Dharma, Artha, and Kama,—also various books upon the subject of Dharma, Artha, and Kama,—also rules for the conduct of mankind, also rules for the conduct of mankind,—also histories and discourses, with various srutis: all of which having been seen by the Rishi Vyasa are here in due order mentioned as a specimen of the book.

"The Rishi Vyasa published this mass of knowledge in both a detailed and an abridged form. It is the wish of the learned in the world to possess the detail and the abridgment. Some read the Bharata beginning with the initial mantra (invocation) others with the story of Astika, others with Uparichara, while some Brahmanas study the whole. Men of learning display their various knowledge of the institutes in commenting on the composition. Some are skilful in explaining it, while others in remembering its contents.

"The son of Satyavati having, by penance and meditation, analysed the eternal Veda, afterwards composed this holy history. And when that learned Brahmarshi of strict vows, the noble Dwaipayana Vyasa, offspring of Parasara, had finished this greatest of narrations, he began to consider how he might teach it to his disciples. And the possessor of the six attributes, Brahma, the world's preceptor, acquainted with the anxiety of the Rishi Dwaipayana, came in person to the place where the latter was, for gratifying the saint, and benefitting the people. And when Vyasa, surrounded by all the tribes of