शौनक उवाच भृगुवंशात्प्रभृत्येव त्वया मे कीर्तितं महत्। आख्यानमखिलं तात सौते प्रीतोऽस्मि तेन ते॥
Shaunaka said: O child, O Sauti, you have narrated to me this great and extensive history of the Bhrigu race from the birth of Bhrigu. I am much pleased with you.
वक्ष्यामि चैव भूयस्त्वां यथावत्सूतनन्दन। याः कथा व्याससंपन्नास्ताश्च भूयो विचक्ष्व मे॥ तस्मिन्परमदुष्पारे सर्पसत्रे महात्मनाम्। कर्मान्तरेषु यज्ञस्य सदस्यानां यथाध्वरे॥
O son of Suta, I ask you now to recite to me that wonderful and varied narrations composed by Vyasa, which were recited by the illustrious Sadasyas in the intervals of the longextending ceremony (Snake-sacrifice).
या बभूवुः कथाचित्रा येष्वर्थेषु तथातथम्। त्वत्त इच्छामहे श्रोतुं सौते त्वं वै प्रचक्ष्व नः॥
O son of Suta, I wish to learn from you the object of those narrations. Therefore, recite them to me in full.
सौतिरुवाच कर्मान्तरेष्वकथयन्द्विजा वेदाश्रयाः कथाः। व्यासस्त्वकथयच्चित्रमाख्यानं भारतं महत्॥
Sauti said : The Brahmanas spoke of many things, founded on the Vedas, in the intervals of their duties, but Vyasa recited the wonderful and great history, called the Bharata.
शौनक उवाच महाभारतमाख्यानं पाण्डवानां यशस्करम्। जनमेजयेन पृष्टः सन्कृष्णद्वैपायनस्तदा॥ श्रावयामास विधिवत्तदा कर्मान्तरे तु सः। तामहं विधिवत्पुण्यां श्रोतुमिच्छामि वै कथाम्॥
Shaunaka said : I desire to hear that sacred history, called Mahabharata, that spreader of the fame of the Pandavas, which Krishna Dvaipayana, asked by Janamejaya, caused to be duly recited in the intervals of the sacrifice.
मनःसागरसंभूतां महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः। कथयस्व सतां श्रेष्ठ सर्वरत्नमयीमिमाम्॥
It was born in the ocean-like mind of the great Rishi of purified soul. O best of men, recite it to me, for, O son of Suta, my thirst has not been appeased by all that you have narrated.
सौतिरुवाच हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि महदाख्यानमुत्तमम्। कृष्णद्वैपायनमतं महाभारतमादितः॥
Sauti said : I shall recite from the beginning the great and excellent history, called Mahabharata, composed by Krishna Dvaipayana.
शृणु सर्वमशेषेण कथ्यमानं मया द्विज। शंसितुं तन्महान्हर्षो ममापीह प्रवर्तते॥
Listen to it in full, O Brahmana, as I recite it. I myself feel a great pleasure in reciting it.