2. The sage Suta relating about the great epic Mahabaharata.

When Janamejaya, who was sitting with thousands of Brahmins who were participating in the yajna rituals, asked repeatedly he gave permission to his disciple Vaishampayana, who was sitting with the members to narrate the story of mahabharata.

In it, Lord Rishi Dwaipayana spoke about the expansion of the territory of Kuruvamsa, the piety of Gandhari, the consciousness of Kshatta, the greatness of lord Vasudeva, the truthfulness of the Pandavas, and the wickedness of Dhartarashtra. Apart from the anecdotes in the Bharata Samhita, the remaining 24,000 verses are considered as mahabharata by those who know them. Gradually the sage added an indexical chapter of 150 verses introducing all the Parvas in brief. Prabhu Dwaipayana taught this to his son Shuka long ago and then its conformity to two other disciples of his. The sage Narada told this to the gods. Asita Devala told this to the Pitrus and Shuka to the Gandharva-Yaksha-Rakshas.

Duryodhana is the great tree of wrath. Karna is its trunk. Shakuni is its branch. Duhshasana is the rich flower-fruit and the ignorant king Dhritarashtra is its root. Yudhishthira is the great tree of righteousness. Arjuna is its trunk. Bhimasena is its branch. The sons of Madri are the abundant flower-fruits and Krishna, Brahma and Brahmins are its roots.

Pandu, who was fond of hunting, conquered many countries by his prowess in war and lived in the forest with his people. Partha and others birth rites were performed there only since he had met with an accident while hunting. According to the Dharmopanishad, the mothers got sons from the deities Dharma, Vayu, Shakra and Ashwini. They grew up under the protection of both mothers in the great hermitages of saints who used to practice great penance in the dense forests.

The children who were looking like celibates as they had the appearance of that of sages with respect to their attire were brought to Dhartarashtra. After saying, "These kind-hearted disciples of ours are the children of your Pandu", those sages vanished from that place they got disappeared. The Kauravas and the citizens of all the sects rejoiced to see the Pandavas when they were brought and left at that place. While some questioned "How come they are Pandu's children?” and “These are not his children!” Some people agreed that they were his children. “Blessed are we who got to see the progeny of Pandu. We all welcome you" was heard in all directions. As these voices rose in all directions, the voice of the internal spirits calmed down the internal unstability. As the Parthas entered, several miracles took place: there was a shower of flowers, an auspicious fragrance filled the air, and the music of conch-drums began to be heard. Thus the joyous voice of all the citizens was loud enough to be heard even in heaven.

The Pandavas lived there not neglected by anyone, worshiped by all and studied the entire Vedas and various scriptures. All the people were pleased with the virtues of Yudhishthira's sanctity, Bhimasena's courage, Arjuna's skills, Kunti's nursing, the twin children's humility and above all their bravery. After some time, Arjuna performed a tough task in Swayamvara and took the princess Draupadi Krishna as his wife. From then on he became revered among the archers of the world and as fierce as Aditya in battle. Arjuna helped King Yudhishthira in his Rajasuya Mahakratu by conquering all the Parthiavas and all the great armies. Killing the strong Jarasandha and Chaidya with the Vasudeva's preachings and also the strength of Bhimarjuna, Yudhishthira accomplished the Rajasuya Mahakratu. At that time Duryodhana became jealous and angry when he saw the rich wealth of the Pandavas, which included beads, copper, gems, cows, elephants and horses. He became even more jealous when the plane-like assembly had been gifted to the Pandavas which resembled an illusion.There in the presence of Vaasudeva when Duryodhana had fallen down out of delusion he was insulted by Bhimasena.

Dhritarashtra realized that despite enjoying various comforts, Duryodhana was becoming colourless and weak. Out of love for his son, Dhritarashtra commanded to make arrangements for dice game. Hearing this, Vasudeva became very angry. Not wanting controversies, Vaasudeva tacitly accepted demonic and other savage tendencies. He made the Kshatriyas kill each other in a fierce war. Dhritarashtra, after hearing the unpleasant news that the sons of Pandu had won over Duryodhana, Karna and Shakuni, thought for a moment and said to Sanjaya:

“Sanjaya! Listen to everything I say. You who are genius, intelligent and wise. Do not think that I am the cause for all this. I had not given consent for this cruelty and it was not dear to my heart also. I had no differences between my sons and that of Pandu’s. My sons who had gone astray looked down on this blind old man who happened to be their father. But I endured all of them out of love for my sons. Whenever Duryodhana was bored, I too got bored.

Duryodhana saw the wealth of the Pandavas in Rajasuya and was amused. He became discouraged knowing that it was not possible for him to win over the Pandavas in the battle and invited them to play the dice game along with the Gandhara king to gulp down the entire wealth of pandavas that would not bring grace to the Kshatriyas to get the wealth. Sanjaya! Listen, I will tell you what I know of what happened before and after this. Sauti! If you listen to these words of mine, you will know that I also have an eye of consciousness. Sanjaya! I doubted the victory when I heard that Arjuna miraculously threw a bow and rolled Lakshya to the earth and carried Draupadi Krishna away a his wife as all the kings looked on. When I heard that Arjuna abducted Madhavi Subhadra from Dwaraka and came to Indraprastha, I doubted victory Sanjaya!

Sanjaya, I doubted the victory when I heard that Arjuna satisfied lord Agnideva by placing a branch and restraining the god Devaraja Indra who was showering the rain of divine rays! Sanjaya! Although Yudhishthira lost his kingdom after being defeated by Saubala in the dice game, I doubted the victory when I heard that his brothers also followed him. Sanjaya! I had doubts about victory when I heard that Draupadi was dragged to the meeting because of which she had become sad as an orphan, clothed in a single garment, her throat tied with tears, despite having husbands. Sanjaya, I doubted victory when Pandava brothers followed their eldest brother who was the righteous Yudhishtira to the forest and suffered all the hardships for him!

Sanjaya! When thousands of followers followed Dharmaraja Yudhishtira to the forest and I was in doubt of victory when I heard that he had given alms and food for all those noble Brahmins.