Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/41

Rh the pith; the book named Bhishma, the main branch; the book called Drona, the leaves; the book called Karna, the fair flowers; the book named Salya, their sweet smell; the books entitled Stri and Aishika, the refreshing shade; the book called Santi, the mighty fruit; the book called Aswamedha, the immortal sap; the book denominated Asramavasika, the spot where it groweth; and the book called Mausala, is an epitome of the Vedas and held in great respect by the virtuous Brahmans. The tree of the Bharata, inexhaustible to mankind as the clouds, shall be as a source of livelihood to all distinguished poets."

Sauti continued, "I will now speak of the undying flowery and fruitful productions of this tree, possessed of pure and pleasant taste, and not to be destroyed even by the immortals. Formerly, the spirited and virtuous Krishna Dwaipayana, by the injunctions of Vishma, the wise son of Ganga and of his own mother, became the father of three boys, who were like the three fires, by the two wives of and having thus raised up Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura, he returned to his recluse abode to prosecute his religious exercises.

"It was not till after these were born, grown up, and departed on the supreme journey, that the great Rishi Vyasa published the Bharata in this the region of mankind; when being solicited by Janamejaya and thousands of Brahmans, he instructed his disciple Vaisampayana, who was seated near him; and he, sitting together with the Sadasyas, recited the Bharata, during the intervals of the ceremonies of the sacrifice, being repeatedly urged to proceed.

"Vyasa hath fully represented the greatness of the house of Kuru, the virtuous principles of Gandhari, the wisdom of Vidura, and the constancy of Kunti. The noble Rishi hath also described the divinity of Vasudeva, the rectitude of the sons of Pandu, and the evil practices of the sons and partisans of

"Vyasa executed the compilation of the Bharata, exclusive of the episodes, originally in thousand verses; and so much only is called by the learned as the Bharata. Afterwards he composed an epitome in one hundred and fifty verses, consisting of the introduction with the chapter of con-