जनमेजय उवाच क्षुतस्त्वत्तो मया ब्रह्मन् पूर्वेषां सम्भवो महान्। उदाराश्चापि वंशेऽस्मिन् राजानो मे परिश्रुताः॥
Janamejaya said : O Brahmana, I have heard from you the great history of my ancestors. I have also heard from you about the great kings that were born in my dynasty.
किंतु लध्वर्थसंयुक्तं प्रियाख्यानं न मामति। प्रीणात्यतो भवान् भूयो विस्तरेण ब्रवीतु मे॥ एतामेव कथां दिव्यामाप्रजापतितो मनोः। तेषामाजननं पुण्यं कस्य न प्रीतिमावहेत्॥
But I am not still satiated with this charming account, for it is so short. Therefore, narrate to me in detail. This delightful history, commencing from Prajapati Manu. Who will not feel delight in hearing such an account, sacred as it is.
सद्धर्मगुणमाहात्म्यैरभिवर्धितमुत्तमम्। विष्टभ्य लोकांस्त्रीनेषां यशः स्फीतमवस्थितम्॥
The fame of these monarchs covered the three on account of their wisdom, virtue, accomplishments and high characters.
गुणप्रभाववीयौजःसत्त्वोत्साहवतामहम्। न तृप्यामि कथां शृण्वन्नमृतास्वादसम्मिताम्॥
Having heard of their liberality, prowess, physical strength, mental vigour, energy and perseverance, this history, sweet as ambrosia, I have not been satiated.
वैशम्पायन उवाच शृणु राजन् पुरा सम्यङ्मया द्वैपायनाच्छुतम्। प्रोच्यमानमिदं कृत्स्नं स्ववंशजननं शुभम्॥
Vaishampayana said : O king, hear the auspicious history, of your own race as I recite it to you in detail and just as I heard it before from Dvaipayana.
दक्षाददितिरदितेर्विवस्वान् विवस्वतो मनुमनोरिला इलायाः पुरूरवाः पुरूरवस आयुरायुषो नहुषो नहुषाद् ययातिः; ययातेद्वैभार्ये बभूवतुः॥ उशनसो दुहिता देवयानी; वृषपर्वणश्च दुहिता शर्मिष्ठा नाम॥
Daksha, begot Aditi, Aditi begot Vivasvat. Vivasvat begot Manu. Manu begot lla. Ila begot Pururava, Pururava begot Ayusha, Ayusha begot Nahusha, Nahusha begot Yayati, Yayati had two wives, namely Devayani, the daughter of Ushanas (Shukra) and Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva.
अत्रानुवंशश्लोको भवति यदुं च तुर्वसुं चैव देवयानी व्यजायत। दुह्यु चानुं च पूरुं च शर्मिष्ठा वार्षपर्वणी॥
This is a Sloka about this line-Devayani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu; and Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva, gave birth to Druhyu, Anu and Puru.
तत्र यदोर्यादवाः पूरोः पौरवाः॥
From Yadu, the Yadavas were descended and from Puru and Pauravas.
पूरोस्तु भार्या कौसल्या नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे जनमेजयो नाम; यस्त्रीनश्वमेधानाजहार, विश्वजिता चेष्टवा वनं विवेश॥
Puru had a wife, named Kaushalya and he begot on her a son named Janamejaya. He performed three great Horse-sacrifices and a sacrifice called Vishvajit. He then retired into a forest.
जनमेजयः खल्वनन्तां नामोपयेमे माधवीम्। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे प्राचिन्वान्; यः प्राची दिशं जिगाय यावत् सूर्योदयात्, ततस्तस्य प्राचिन्वत्त्वम्॥
Janamejaya married Ananta, the daughter of Madhava. He begot on her a son, named Prachinvan. He was so called because he conquered all the countries in the east even where the sun rises.
प्राचिन्वान् खल्वश्मकीमुपयेमे यादवीम्। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे संयातिः॥
Prachinvan married Ashmaki, the daughter of the Yadavas and she gave birth to a son, named Sanyati.
संयातिः खलु दृषद्वतो दुहितरं वराङ्गी नामोपयेमे। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे अहंयातिः॥
Sanyati married Varangi, the daughter of Drishadvata and she gave birth to a son called Ahamyati.
अहंथातिः खलु कृतवीर्यदुहितरमुपयेमे भानुमती नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे सार्वभौमः॥
Ahamyati married Bhanumati, the daughter of Kritavirya and he begot on her a son, named Sarvabhauma.
सार्वभौमः खलु जित्वा जहार कैकेयीं सुनन्दा नाम। तामुपयेमे। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे जयत्सेनो नाम॥
Sarvabhauma married Sunanda, the daughter of Kekaya who was taken by force and she gave birth to a son, named Jayatsena.
जयत्सेनो खलु वैदर्भीमुपयेमे सुश्रवां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे अवाचीनः॥
Jayatsena married Sushrava, the daughter of the Vidarbha king and she gave birth to a son, named Avachina.
अवाचीनोऽपि वैदर्भीमपरामेवोपयेमे मर्यादां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे अरिहः॥
Avachina married another princess of the Vidharbha kings, called Maryada and she gave birth to a son, named Ariha.
अरिहः खल्वाङ्गीमुपयेमे। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे महाभौमः।।
Ariha married Angi and she gave birth to a son, named Mahabhauma.
महाभौमः खलु प्रासेनजितीमुपयेमे सुयज्ञां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे अयुतनायी; यः पुरुषमेधानामयुतमानयत्, तेनास्यायुतनायित्वम्॥
Mahabhauma married Suyajna, the daughter of Prasenjit and she gave birth to a son, named Ayutanayi. He was so called, because he performed a sacrifice in which the fat of one Ayuta male beings was required.
अयुतनायी खलु पृथुश्रवसो दुहितरमुपयेमे कामां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे अक्रोधनः॥
Ayutanayi married Kama, the daughter of Prithushrava and she gave birth to a son, called Akrodhana.
स खलु कालिङ्गीं करम्भां नामोपयेमे। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे देवातिथिः॥
Akrodhana married Karambha, the daughter of the king of Kalinga and she gave birth to a son, called Devatithi.
देवातिथिः खलु वैदेहीमुपयेमे मर्यादां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे अरिहो नाम॥
Devatithi married Maryada, the princess of Videha and she gave birth to a son, named Ariha.
अरिहः खल्वाङ्गेयीमुपयेमे सुदेवां नाम। तस्यां पुत्रमजीजनदृक्षम्॥
Ariha married Sudeva, the princess of Anga and she gave birth to a son, Riksha.
ऋक्षः खलु तक्षकदुहितरमुपयेमे ज्वाला नाम। तस्यां पुत्रं मतिनारं नामोत्पादयामास॥
Riksha married Jvala, the daughter of Takshaka and she gave birth to a son, named Matinara.
मतिनारः खलु सरस्वत्यां गुणसमन्वितं द्वादशवार्षिकं सत्रमाहरत्। समाप्ते च सत्रे सरस्वत्यभिगम्य तं भर्तारं वरयामास। तस्यां पुत्रमजीजनत् तंसुं नाम॥
Matinara performed the most efficacious twelve years' sacrifice on the banks of the Sarasvati. At the conclusion of the sacrifice, the Sarasvati herself appeared before him and chose him as her husband. He begot on her a son, named Tansu.
अत्रानुवंशश्लोको भवति-तंसुं सरस्वती पुत्रं मतिनारादजीजनत्। ईलिनं जनयामास कालिङ्गयां तंसुरात्मजम्॥
Here is Sloka describing Tansu's descendants. Tansu begot on his wife, the princess of Kalinga, a son, named Ilina.
ईलिनस्तु रथन्तर्यां दुष्यन्ताद्यान् पञ्च पुत्रानजीजनत्॥
Ilana begot on his wife, Rathantari, five sons, Dushyanta being the eldest of them.
दुष्यन्तः खलु विश्वामित्रदुहितरं शकुन्तलां नामोपयेमे। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे भरतः॥
Dushyanta married Shakuntala, the daughter of Vishvamitra and she gave birth to a son, named Bharata.
अत्रानुवंशश्लोकौ भवतःभस्त्रा माता पितुः पुत्रो येन जातः स एव सः। भरस्व पुत्रं दुष्यन्त मावमंस्थाः शकुन्तलाम्॥
Here are two Slokas, describing the descendants of Bharata. "O Dushyanta, the mother is but a sheath of flesh (within which the son dwells). The son sprung from the father is the father himself. Therefore, cherish your son. Do not insult Shakuntala.
रेतोधाः पुत्र उन्नयति नरदेव यमक्षयात्। त्वं चास्य धाता गर्भस्य सत्यमाह शकुन्तला॥
"O best of men, the son, begotten by one's own self, rescues him from the abode of Yama. You are the father of this son. Shakuntala has spoken the truth."
ततोऽस्य भरतत्वम्। भरतः खलु काशेयीमुपयेमे सार्वसेनी सुनन्दा नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे भुमन्युः॥
It is for this reason he was called Bharata. Bharata married Sunanda, the daughter of Sarvasena, the king of Kashi and she gave birth to a son, called Bhumanyu.
भुमन्युः खलु दाशाहीमुपयेमे विजयां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे सुहोत्रः॥
Bhumanyu married Vijaya, the daughter of Dasarha and she gave birth to a son, named Suhotra.
सुहोत्रः खल्विक्ष्वाकुकन्यामुपयेमे सुवर्णां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे हस्ती; य इदं हास्तिनपुरं ख्यापयामास। एतदस्य हास्तिनपुरत्वम्॥
Suhotra married Suvarna, the daughter of Ikshaku and she gave birth to a son, named Hasti, who founded this city, called after his name Hastinapur.
हस्ती खलु रैगर्तीमुपयेमे यशोधरां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे विकुण्ठनो नाम॥
Hasti married Yashodhara, the princess of Trigarta and she gave birth to a son, named Vikunthana.
विकुण्ठनः खलु दाशार्हामुपयेमे सुदेवां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे अजमीढो नाम॥
Vikunthana married Sudeva, the princess of Dasarha and she gave birth to a son, named Ajamidha.
अजमीढस्य चतुर्विशं पुत्रशतं बभूव कैकेय्यां गान्धार्यां विशालायामृक्षायां चेति। पृथक् पृथग् वंशधरा नृपतयः। तत्र वंशकरः संवरणः॥
Ajamidha had four wives, namely Kaikeyi, Gandhari, Vishala and Riksha and he begot on them two thousands and one hundred sons. And Amongst them all, Samvarana became the perpetuator of the dynasty,
संवरणः खलु वैवस्वतीं तपती नामोपयेमे। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे कुरुः॥
Samvarana married Tapati, the daughter of Vivasvata and she gave birth to a son, named Kuru.
कुरुः खलु दाशार्हामुपयेमे शुभाङ्गी नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे विदूरः॥
Kuru married Shubhangi, the princess of Dasarha and she gave birth to a son, named Vidura.
विदूरस्तु माधवीमुपयेमे सम्प्रियां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे अनश्वा नाम॥
Vidura married Sungpriya, the daughter of Madhava and she gave birth to a son, named Anashva.
अनश्वा खलु मागधीमुपयेमे अमृतां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे परिक्षित्॥
Anashva married Amrita, the daughter of the Magadhas and she gave birth to a son, named Parikshit.
परिक्षित् खलु वाहुदामुपयेमे सुयशां नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे भीमसेनः॥
Parikshit married Suyasha, the daughter of Vahuda and she gave birth to a son, named Bhimasena.
भीमसेनः खलु कैकेयीमुपयेमे कुमारी नाम। तस्यामस्य जज्ञे प्रतिश्रवा नाम॥
Bhimasena married Kumari, the princess of Kekaya and she gave birth to a son, named Pratishrava.
प्रतिश्रवसः प्रतीपः खलु। शैव्यामुपयेमे सुनन्दा नाम। तस्यां पुत्रानुत्पादयामास देवापिं शान्तनुं बाह्लीकं चेति॥
Pratishrava begot Pratipa; Pratipa married Sunanda, the daughter of Sibi and she gave birth to three sons, namely Devapi, Shantanu and Balhika.
देवापि खलु बाल एवारण्यं विवेश। शान्तनुस्तु महीपालो बभूव॥
Devapi retired into a forest as a hermit when he was still a boy. Therefore, Shantanu became king.
अत्रानुवंशश्लोको भवति यं यं कराभ्यां स्पृशति जीर्णं स सुखमश्नुते। पुनर्युवा च भवति तस्मात् तं शान्तनुं विदुः।। इति तदस्य शान्तनुत्वम्॥
Here occurs a Sloka, describing Shantanu. "Those that were touched by this king with his hands, felt indescribable pleasure. They became restored to youth. Therefore, this king was called Shantanu."
शान्तनुः खलु गङ्गां भागीरथीमुपयेमे। तस्थामस्य जज्ञे देवव्रतो नाम यामाहुर्भीष्ममिति॥
Shantanu married Ganga and she gave birth to a son, named Devavrata, who was afterwards called Bhishma.
भीष्मः खलु पितुः प्रियचिकीर्षया सत्यवतीं मातरमुदवाहयत्; यामाहुर्गन्धकालीति॥
Bhishma, being desirous of doing good to his father, got him married to Satyavati, who was also called Gandhakali.
तस्यां पूर्वं कानीनो गर्भः पराशराद् द्वैपायनोऽभवत्। तस्यामेव शान्तनोरन्यौ द्वौ पुत्रौ बभूवतुः॥
In her maidenhood she gave birth to a son by Parashara, named Dvaipayana. Shantanu begot two more sons on her.
विचित्रवीर्यश्चित्राङ्गदश्च। तयोरप्राप्तयौवन एव चित्राङ्गदो गन्धर्वेण हतः; विचित्रवीर्यस्तु राजाऽऽसीत्॥
Namely Vichitravirya and Chitrangada. But before they attained to their youth, Chitrangada was killed by the Gandharvas. Therefore, Vichitravirya became king.
विचित्रवीर्यः खलु कौसल्यात्मजे अम्बिकाम्बालिके काशिराजदुहितरावुपयेमे॥
Vichitravirya married the two daughters of the king of Kashi born of Kaushalya, named Amyika and Ambalika.
विचित्रवीर्यस्त्वनपत्य एव विदेहत्वं प्राप्तः। ततः सत्यवत्यचिन्तयन्मा दौष्यन्तो वंश उच्छेदं व्रजेदिति॥
Vichitravirya died childless. Thereupon, Satyavati began to think how the dynasty of Dushyanta might be perpetuated.
सा द्वैपायनमृषि मनसा चिन्तयामास। स तस्याः पुरतः स्थितः, किं करवाणीति॥
She then thought of Rishi Dvaipayana in her mind. He stood before her and said, "What are you commands?”'
सा तमुवाच-भ्राता तवानपत्य एव स्वर्यातो विचित्रवीर्यः। साध्वपत्यं तस्योत्पादयेति॥
She told him, “Your brother Vichitravirya has gone to heaven childless. Beget virtuous children for him.”
स तथेत्युक्त्वा त्रीन् पुत्रानुत्पादयामास; धृतराष्ट्र पाण्डु विदुरं चेति॥
Dvaipayana consented to do it and he begot three sons, namely Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura.
तत्र धृतराष्ट्रस्य राज्ञः पुत्रशतं बभूव गान्धार्यां वरदानाद् द्वैपायनस्य॥
The king Dhritarashtra begot one hundred sons on his wife Gandhari on account of the boon granted by Dvaipayana.
तेषां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राणां चत्वारः प्रधाना बभूवुः; दुर्योधनो दुशासनो विकर्णचित्रसेनश्चेति॥
Amongst those one hundred sons, four became famous; (they were) Duryodhana, Dushasana, Vikarna and Chitrasena.
पाण्डोस्तु द्वे भार्ये बभूवतुः कुन्ती पृथा नाम माद्री च इत्युभे स्त्रीरत्ने॥
Pandu had two best jewels of wives, namely Kunti, also called Pritha and Madri.
अथ पाण्डुर्मंगयां चरन् मैथुनगतमृषिमपश्यन्मृगयां वर्तमानम्। तथैवाद्भुतमनासादितकामरसमतृप्त बाणेनाजघान॥
Pandu one day went to hunt and saw a deer with its mate. It was s Rishi in the form of a deer. He killed it with his arrow in that state, when his desire was not satiated.
स बाणविद्ध उवाच पाण्डुम चरता धर्ममिमं येन त्वयाभिज्ञेन कामरसम्याहमनवाप्तकामरसो निहतस्तस्मात् त्वमप्येतामवस्थामासाद्यानवाप्तकामरस: पञ्चत्वमाम्यसि क्षिप्रमेवेति। स विवर्णरूपस्तथा पाण्डुः शापं परिहरमाणो नोपासर्पत भार्ये। वाक्यं चोवाच-॥
Wounded with the arrow of the king, the deer quickly changed its form and became a Rishi. He said to Pandu, "You are virtuous and you know the pleasure derived from the gratification of one's desire. My desire is not yet satisfied, but you have killed me. Therefore, you will also die when you will be so engaged and when your desire will not be gratified.” Pandu became pale to hear this curse. And from that time he did not go to his wives.
स्वचाप्लयादिदं प्राप्तवानहं शृणोमि च शृणोमि च नानपत्स्य लोकासन्तीति। सा त्वं मदर्थे पुत्रानुत्पादयेति कुन्तीमुवाच। सा तथोक्ता पुत्रानुत्पादयामासा धर्माद् युधिष्ठिरं मारुताद् भीमसेनं शक्रादर्जुनमिति॥
He told them, “I have been cursed by my fault. But I have heard that there are no regions hereafter for those who are childless." Therefore, he asked Kunti to raise offspring for him. Kunti said, “Let it be so." By Dharma she had Yudhishthira, by Maruta Bhima and by Indra Arjuna.
तां संहृष्टः पाण्डुरुवाच इयं ते सपल्यनपत्या; साध्वस्या अपत्यमुत्पाद्यतामिति। एवमस्त्विति कुन्ती तां विद्यां मात्र्याः प्रायच्छत्॥
Pandu was much pleased with her and said, “This your sister (my co-wife) is also childless. Therefore, cause her to give birth to children.” Kunti said, “Let it be so," and she imparted unto Madri the Mantra of invocation.
माभ्यामश्विभ्यां नकुलसहदेवावुत्पादितौ॥
And Madri gave birth by the Ashvinis, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva.
माद्रीं खल्वलंकृतां दृष्ट्वा पाण्डुर्भावं चक्रे च तां स्पृष्ट्वैव विदेहत्वं प्राप्तः॥ तत्रैनं चिताग्निस्थं माद्री समन्वारुरोह उवाच कुन्तीम; यमयोरप्रमत्तया त्वया भवितव्यमिति॥
One day Pandu saw Madri decked in ornaments and his desire was kindled, As soon as he touched her, he died. Thereupon, Madri ascended, his funeral pyre. She said to Kunti, “Let my twin sons be affectionately brought up by you."
ततस्ते पाण्डवा कुन्त्या सहिता हास्तिनपुरमानीय तापसैर्भीष्मस्य च विदुरस्य च निवेदिताः। सर्ववर्णानां च निवेद्यान्तर्हितास्तापसा बभूवुः प्रेक्ष्यमाणानां तेषाम्॥
Some time after, the Pandu princes, with their mother Kunti, were taken by the ascetics to Hastinapur and they were introduced to Bhishma and Vidura. After introducing them to all the orders, the ascetics disappeared in the very sight of all.
तच वाक्यमुपश्रुत्य भगवतामन्तरिक्षात् पुष्पवृष्टिः पपात; देवदुन्दुभयश्च प्रणेदुः॥
After the conclusion of the speech of these ascetics, flowers were showered down upon the place and celestial drums were beaten in the sky.
व्यवसितः; न प्रतिगृहीताश्च पाण्डवाः पितुर्निधनमावेदयन् तस्यौर्ध्वदेहिकं न्यायतश्च कृतवन्तः। तांस्तत्र निवसतः पाण्डवान् बाल्यात् प्रभृति दुर्योधनो नामर्षयत्॥
The Pandavas were, thereupon, accepted (by all). They then represented the death of their father and duly performed his obsequies. As they were brought up there in their boyhood, Duryodhana became very jealous of them.
पापाचोर राक्षसी बुद्धिमाश्रितोऽनेकैरूपायैरुद्धर्तुं च भावित्याचार्थस्य शकितास्ते समुद्धर्तुम्॥
The sinful (Duryodhana), acting like a Rakshasa, attempted by various means to drive them away, but what is to be can never be prevented.
ततश्च धृतराष्ट्रेण व्याजेन वारणावतमनुप्रेषिता गमनमरोचयन्॥
Dhritarashtra then by an act of deception sent them to Varanavata. They also went gladly there.
तत्रापि जतुगृहे दग्धुं समारब्धा न शकिता विदुरमन्त्रितेनेति॥
An attempt was there made to burn them to death, but they were saved through the warning counsel of Vidura.
तस्माच हिडिम्बमन्तरा हत्वा एकचक्रां गताः॥
After this Hidimba was killed and they then went to a place, called Ekachakra.
तस्यामप्येकचक्रायां बकं नाम राक्षसं हत्वा पाञ्चालनगरमधिगताः॥
They killed at Ekachakra a Rakshasa, named Baka. They then went to Panchala city.
तत्र द्रौपदी भार्यामविन्दन्, स्वविषयं चाभिजग्मुः॥
There they obtained Draupadi as their wife and they returned to their own kingdom.
कुशलिनः पुत्रांश्चोत्पादयामासुः। प्रतिविध्यं युधिष्ठिरः, सुतसोमं वृकोदरः, श्रुतकीर्तिमर्जुन:, शतानीकं नकुलः, श्रुतकर्माणं सहदेव इति॥
They lived in peace there (in Hastinapur) and begot sons. Yudhishthira begot Prativindhya, Bhima (begot) Sutasoma, Arjuna (begot) Shrutakirti, Nakula (begot) Shatanika and Sahadeva (begot) Shrutakarmana.
युधिष्ठिरस्तु गोवासनस्य शैव्यस्य देविकां नाम कन्यां स्वयंवरे लेभे। तस्यां पुत्रं जनयामास यौधेयं नाम॥ भीमसेनोऽपि काश्यां बलन्धरां नामोपयेमे वीर्यशुल्काम्। तस्यां पुत्रं सर्वगं नामोत्यादयामास॥
Yudhishthira obtained in Svayamvara for his wife Devika, the daughter of Govasana of the Shaivya race and he begot on her a son, named Yaudheya. Bhima also obtained for his wife Balandhara, the daughter of the king of Kashi, by offering as his dower his own great prowess. He begot on her a son, named Sarvaga.
अर्जुनः खलु द्वारवतीं गत्वा भगिनीं वासुदेवस्य सुभद्रां भद्रभाषिणी भार्यामुदावहत्। स्वविषयं चाभ्याजगाम कुशली। तस्यां पुत्रमभिमन्युमतीव गुणसम्पन्नं दयितं वासुदेवस्याजनयत्॥
Arjuna went to Dwarika and there he married by force the sweet-speeched Subhadra, the sister of Vasudeva (Krishna). He begot on her a son, named Abhimanyu, who was endued with all accomplishments and who was dear to Vasudeva himself.
नकुलस्तु चैद्यां करेणुमती नाम भार्यामुदावहत्। तस्यां पुत्रं निरमित्रं नामाजनयत्॥
Nakula obtained for his wife Karenumati, the princess of Chedi and he begot on her a son, named Niramitra.
सहदेवोऽपि माद्रीमेव स्वयंवरे वियां नामोपयेमे मद्रराजस्य द्युतिमतो दुहितरम्। तस्यां पुत्रमजनयत् सुहोत्रं नाम॥ पुत्राः।
Sahadeva obtained in Svayamvara Vijaya, the daughter of Dyutimata, the king of Madra. He begot a son on her, named Suhotra.
भीमसेनस्तु पूर्वमेव हिडिम्बायां राक्षसं घटोत्कचं पुत्रमुत्पादयामास॥
Bhima begot some time before on Hidimba a son, named Ghatotkacha.
इत्येत एकादश पाण्डवानां तेषां वंशकरोऽभिमन्युः॥
These were the eleven sons, begot by the Pandavas. Amongst them Abhimanyu was the perpetuator of the dynasty.
स विराटस्य दुहितरमुपयेमे उत्तरां नाम। तस्यामस्य परासुर्गर्भोऽभवत्। तमुत्सङ्गेन प्रतिजग्राह पृथा नियोगात् पुरुषोत्तमस्य वासुदेवस्य, पाण्मासिकं गर्भमहमेनं जीवयिष्यामीति॥
He married Uttara, the daughter of the king of Virata. She gave birth to a dead child, whom Pritha (Kunti) took up on her lap at the command of Krishna, who said, "I will revive this child of six months.”
स भगवता वासुदेवेनासंजातबलवीर्यपराक्रमोऽकालजातोऽस्त्राग्निना दग्धस्तेजसा स्वेन संजीवितः। जीवयित्वा चैनमुवाचपरिक्षीणे कुले जातो भवत्वयं परिक्षिन्नामेति॥ परिक्षित् खलु माद्रवती नामोपयेमे त्वन्मातरम्। तस्यां भवान् जनमेजयः॥
Though born before time, having been burnt by the fire of the weapon (hurled by Ashvathama), though deprived of life, strength and energy, he was revived by Vasudeva and was given strength, energy and prowess. After thus making him alive, Vasudeva said, “As this child is born in an extinct race, let him be called Parikshit.” Parikshit married Madravati, your mother and she gave birth to you, Janamejaya.
भवतो वपुष्टमायां द्वौ पुत्रौ जज्ञाते; शतानीक: शकुकर्णश्च। शतानीकस्य वैदेह्यां पुत्र उत्पन्नोऽश्वमेधदत्त इति॥
You have begotten two sons on your wife Vapushtama, named Shatanika and Shankukarna. And Shatanika has also begotten a son on the princess of Videha, named Ashvamedhadatta.
एष पूरोर्वंशः पाण्डवानां च कीर्तितः; धन्यः पुण्यः परमपवित्रः सततं श्रोतव्यो ब्राह्मणैर्नियमवद्भिरनन्तरं क्षत्रियैः स्वधर्मनिरतैः प्रजापालनतत्परैर्वैश्यैरपि श्रोतव्योऽधिगम्यश्च तथा शूद्रैरपि त्रिवर्णशुश्रूषुभिः श्रद्दधानैरिति॥
Thus have I narrated to you the history of the Kuru and Pandu dynasty. It is excellent, virtue-increasing and greatly sacred. It should always be heard by the vow-observing Brahmanas and Kshatriyas devoted to the duties of their subjects. (It should be heard) also by Vaishyas with attention and with reverence by Shudras, whose chief duties are to wait upon the three other orders.
इतिहासमिमं पुण्यमशेषतः श्रावयिष्यन्ति ये नराः श्रोष्यन्ति वा नियतात्मानो विमत्सरा मैत्रा वेदपरास्तेऽपि स्वर्गजित: पुण्यलोका भवन्ति सततं देवब्राह्मणमनुष्याणां मान्याः सम्पूज्याश्च॥
Those Brahmanas, learned in the Vedas and all those men who will recite or listen to this holy history with attention and reverence, will conquer the heaven and attain to the abode of the blessed. They will be always respected and adored by the celestials, Brahmanas and all other men.
परं हीदं भारतं भगवता व्यासेन प्रोक्तं पावनं ये ब्राह्मणादयो वर्णाः श्रद्दधाना अमत्सरा मैत्रा वेदसम्पन्नाः श्रोष्यन्ति, तेऽपि स्वर्गजितः सुकृतिनोऽशोच्याः कृताकृते भवन्ति॥
This holy history, Bharata, has been told by the illustrious Vyasa. The Brahmanas, learned in the Vedas and all those men who hear it recited with reverence and without malice, conquer the heavens and earn great virtues. Though sinning, he is not disrespected by any.
भवति चात्र श्लोकः इदं हि वेदैः समितं पवित्रमपि चोत्तमम्। धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं श्रोतव्यं नियतात्मभिः॥
Here occurs a sloka. “This Bharata is equal to the Vedas. It is holy and good. It gives wealth, fame and life. Therefore, it should be heard by men with great attention.”