Janamejaya said O holy one, according to what rites should the learned listen to the Bharata? What are the fruits? What deities are to be adored during the several Parnas?

What should be the gifts that one should make, O holy one, at every Parva or sacred day (during the continuance of the recitation)? What should be the qualifications of the reciter to be engaged? Tell me all this.

Vaishampayana said Hear, O king, what that procedure is, and what the fruits, O Bharata, are which will originate from ones' listening (to a recitation of the Bharata). This, O king of kings, is what you ask me.

The deities, O king come to this world for sport. Having achieved their task, they ascended one more to the celestial region.

Listen to what I tell you briefly. Is the Mahabharata is to be found the births of Rishis and deities on the Earth.

In this work, called Bharata, o foremost one of Bharata's race, are to be seen in one place the eternal Rudras, the Saddhyas. And the Vishvedevas; the Adityas, the two deities named the Ashvins, the regents of the World, the great Rishis, the Guhyakas, the Gandharvas, the Nagas, the Vidyadharas, the Siddhas, the diverse deities, the Self-born visible in a body, with many ascetics; the Hills and Mountains. Oceans and Seas, and Rivers; the various tribes of Apsaras; the Planets, the Years, the Half-Years, and the Seasons; and the whole universe of mobile and immobile objects, with all the celestials and Asuras.

Hearing their celebrity, and on account of a recitation of their names and achievements, a man, who has committed even terrible sins, will be cleansed.

Having with a concentrated soul and purified body, heard this history duly, from the beginning, and having reached its end, one should make Shraddha offerings, O Bharata, to them (of whom one has heard) To the Brahmanas also, O chief of Bharata's race, should, with due devotion and according to one's power, be made large gifts and various kinds of gems, and kine, and vessels of white brass for milking kine, and maidens decked with every ornament, and possessed of every accomplishment suited to the enjoyment, as also various, plots of land and cloths.

Animals also should be given, such as horses and elephants, and beds, and covered conveyances borne on the shoulders of men, and well-decked cars.

Whatever objects are in the house, of the foremost kind, whatever wealth of great value is in it, should be given away to Brahmanas. Indeed, one should give away one's ownself, wives and children.

One desirous of hearing the Bharata should hear it without a doubting heart, with cheerfulness and joy; and as he goes of listening to its recitation, he should, according to the extent of his power, make gift with great devotion.

Hear how a person who is devoted to truth and sincerity, who is self-controlled, pure (in mind), and observant of those deeds which lead to purity of body, that is endued with faith, and that has subjugated anger, acquires success.

He should appoint as reciter one who is pure (of body), who is endued with good and pious conduct, who should be robed in white, who should have a complete mastery over his passions, who is cleansed of all offences, who is conversant with every branch of learning, who is endued with faith, who is free from malice who is possessed of handsome features, who is blessed, self-controlled, truthful and with passions under control, and who is beloved of all for the gifts he makes and the honours of which he is the possessor,

The reciter, seated at his asana free from all bodily complaints, and with rapt attention, should recite the text without slowness, without a labouring voice, without being fast or quick, quietly, with sufficient energy, without confusing the letters and words together, in a sweet intonation and with such accent and emphasis as would show the sense, giving full utterance to the there and sixty letters of the alphabet from the eight places of their formation.

Saluting Narayana, and to Nara, that foremost male-beings as also to the goddess Sarasvati, should the word Jaya be uttered.

Listening to the Bharata, O king, when recited, O you of Bharata's race, by a reader of this kind, listener, observant of vows the while and purified by purificatory rites, acquires valuable fruits.

When the first Parana is reached, the hearer should satisfy Brahmanas with presents of all desirable objects. By doing this, one acquires the fruits of the Agnishtoma sacrifice.

He acquires a large (celestial) car full of various orders of Apsaras. With a glad heart and with celestials in his company, he proceeds to the celestial region, his heart rapt (in felicity).

When second Parana is reached, the hearer acquires the fruits of the Atiratha now, Indeed, he ascends a celestial car made entirely of costly gems.

Wearing celestial garland sand dresses, and decked with celestial unguents and always shedding a celestial fragrance around, he receives great honours I then celestial region.

When the third Parana is reached, he acquires the fruits of the Dvadashaha vow. Indeed, he lives in the celestial region fro myriads of years, like god.

At the fourth Parana he acquires the fruits of the Vajapeya sacrifice. At the fifth, he acquires twice those fruits. Ascending a celestial car which resembles the rising sun or a blazing fire, and with the deities for his companions, He goes to the celestial region and sport happily for myriads of years in the abode of Indra.

At the sixth Parana, he acquires twice, and at the seventh, thrice those fruits. Ascending a celestial car which resembles the summit of the Kailasa mountains (in beauty), which is equipt with an altar made of stones of Lapis Lazuli and other precious gems, that is surrounded by beautiful objects of various kinds, that is decked with gems and orals, that moves at the will of the rider, and that teems with waiting Apsaras, he roves through all the happy regions, like a second deity of the Sun. At the eighth Parana he acquires the fruits of the Rajasuya sacrifice.

He ascends a car as beautiful as the rising moon, and to which are yoked horses white as the rays of the moon and fleet like thought.

He is served by most beautiful women faces are more charming than the moon. He hears the music of the garlands that encircle their waists and he Nupuras encircling their ankles.

Sleeping with is head resting on the laps of women of great beauty he awakes greatly refreshed. At the ninth Parana, he acquires, O Bharata, the fruits of that foremost of sacrifice, viz., the Horse-Sacrifice.

Ascending on a car equipt with a chamber consisting of a top supported by columns of gold, furnished with a seat made of stones of lapis lazuli, with windows on all sides made of pure gold, and full of Apsaras and Gandharvas and other celestials, he blazes forth to splendour.

Wearing celestial garland sand dresses, and decked with celestial unguents, he sports happily, with deities for his companions, in the celestial region, like a second deity himself.

Reaching the tenth Parana and pleasing Brahmanas, he acquires, a car which tinkles with innumerable bells, which is decked with flags and banners, which is equipt with a seat made of precious, gems, which has many arches made of lapis lazuli which has a net work of gold all round, which has turrents inade of corals. Which is adorned with Gandharvas and Apsaras expert in singing, and which is fit for the residence of the Righteous.

Crowned with a diadem of the complexion of fire, decked with ornaments of gold, his body smeared with celestial sandalpaste, garnished with celestial garlands, he passes through all celestial regions enjoying all celestial objects of enjoyment, and gifted with grcat splendour, through the grace of the deities.

Thus accoutred, he received great honours in the celestial region for many long years. With Gandharvas in his company, for full twenty-one thousand years, he sports in bliss with Indra himself in the abode of Indra. He roves at pleasure every day through the various celestial regions, riding on celestial cars and conveyances, and surrounded by celestial dainsels of great beauty. He is able to go to the abode of the Sun, of the Moon, and of Shiva. O king, Indeed, he succeeds in living in the same region with Vishnu himself. It is even so, O inonarch. There is no doubt in this,

A person listening with faith, becomes even so. My preceptor has said this. To the reciter should be given all such objects as he many wish. cars

Elephants and horses and and conveyances, especially animals and the vehicles they draw, a bracelet of gold a pair of ear-rings, sacred threads, beautiful dresses, and perfumes in especial (should be give). By adoring him as a deity one acquires the regions of Vishnu.

After this I shall declare what should be given away, as each Parvan is reached of the Bharata in course of its recitation, to Brahmanas, after ascertaining their birth country, truthfulness, and greatness, O chief of Bharata's race, as also their inclination for piety, and to Kshatriyas too, o king, after ascertainment of similar details.

Causing the Brahmanas to utter benedictions the business of recitation should be begun. When a Parvan is finished, the Brahmanas should be adored to the best of one's power.

At first, the reciter, clad in good dresses, and smeared with perfumed paste, should, O king, be duly fed with honey and frumenty of the best kind.

When the Astika Parva is being recited, Brahmanas should be entertained with fruits and roots, and frumenty, and hosey and clarified butter, and rice boiled with raw sugar.

When the Sabha Parva is being recited, Brahinanas should be fied with Havishıya along with Apupas and Pupas and Modakas, O king.

When the Aranyaka Parva is being recited, great Brahmanas should be fied with fruts and roots. When the Arani Parva is reached, waterpots full of water should be distributed.

Many superior kinds of sweet food, also rice and fruits and roots, and good food should be presented to be Brahmanas:

During the recitation of the Virata Parva, various kind of dresses should be given away : and during that of the Udyoga Parva. O hief of the Bharatas, the twice-born ones, after being decked with perfumes and garlands, should be entertained with good food. During toe recitation of the Bhishma Parva, O king of kings, after giving them excellent cars and conveyances, food should be given which is pure and well-cooked and possessed of every desirable quality. During the Drona Parva food of every superior, kind should be given to trained Brahmanas, as also beds O monarch, and bows, and good swords. During the recitation of the Karna Parva, food of the foremost. kind, which is, besides, pure and well-cooked, should be presented to the Brahmanas by the householder with rapt mind. During the recitation of the Shalya Parva, O kings, food with confectionery and rice boiled with raw sugar as also cakes of wheat and soothing and nutritive articles of food, and drink should be presented. During the recitation of the Gada Parva. Brahmanas should be treated with food mixed with Mudga.

During the recitation of the Stree Parva, foremost of Brahmanas should be served with gems and precious stones : and during the recitation of the Astika Parva, rice boiled in clarified butter should first be given, and then food pure and well-cooked and possessed of every desirable attribute, should be presented. During the recitation of the Shanti Parva, the Brahmanas should be fed with Havishya.

When the Ashvamedhika Parva is reached, agreeable food should be served and when the Ashramavasika is reached, Brahmanas should be served with Havishya.

When the Mausala is reached, scents and garlands, should be given away. During the Mahaprasthanika, similar presents should be made, possessed of every good quality.

When the Svarga Parva is reached, the Brahmanas should be left with Havishya. Upon the conclusion of the Harivansha, a thousand Brahmanas should be fed.

To each of them should be presented a cow accompanied with a piece of gold. Half of this should be presented to each poor man, O king.

Upon the conclusion of all the Parvas, the wise householder should give to the reciter a copy of the Mahabharata with a piece of gold.

When the Harivansha Parva being recited, Brahmanas should be fed with frumenty at each successive Parvas, O king.

Having finished all the Parvas, one versed in the scriptures, dressing himself in while wearing garlands, decked with ornaments, and properly purified, should place a copy of the Mahabharata on an auspicious sport and cover it with a piece of silken cloth and adore it, according to due rites, with scents and garlands, offering each at a time.

Indeed, O king, the several volumes of this work should be adored by one with devotion and tapt mind. Offerings should be made to them of various kinds of food and garlands and drinks and various auspicious articles of enjoyment.

Gold and other precious metals should be given as Dakshina. One should offer as gift to all scriptures three palas of gold with full concentration of mind. Or one and half or threforth palas on all sriptures. However, one should not be miser if he has suffice wealth. The things dearer to a man should be offered as gift to the Brahmains. The reciter is once preceptor hence he should be satisfied with keen devotion. The names should then be taken of all the celestials as also of Nara and Narayana.

Then worshipping the persons of some foremost of Brahmanas with scents and garlands, they should be satisfied with various kinds of gifts of enjoyable and verb superior or costly articles.

By doing this, one acquires the merits of the Atiratha sacrifice. Indeed, at each successive Parva, he acquires the merits which belong to the performance of a sacrifice.

The reciter, O chief of the Bharatas, should be endued with learning and endued with a good voice and a clear utterance about both letters and words. Such a man should, O chief of the Bharatas, recite the Bharata.

After entertaining a number of foremost Brahmanas, presents should be made to them according to the ordinances. The reciter also, O chief of the Bharatas, should be decked with ornaments and fed sumptuously.

The reciter being satisfied the house holder acquiring excellent and auspicious contentment. It the Brahmanas are satisfied all the deities are gratified. an

After this, O chief of the Bharatas. Brahmanas should be duly served with various kinds of enjoyable articles and superior things.

I have thus indicated the ordinances, O foremost of men, (about the manner of reciting these scriptures) in response to your enquiries, You should observe them with faith.

In listening to a recitation of the Bharata and at each Parana. O best of kings, one who desires to acquire to the highest good should listen with the greatest care an attention.

One should listen to the Bharata every day. One should proclaim the merits of the Bharataevery day. One who has the Bharata in his house, has in his hands all those Scriptures which are know by the name of Jaya.

The Bharata is purifying and sacred. In the Bharata are various topics. The Bharata is adored by the very gods. The Bharata is the highest end.

The Bharata, O chief of the Bharatas, is the foremost of all scriptures, One acquires Liberation through the Bharata. This that I tell you is certain truth.

One who proclaim the merits of this history called the Mahabharata, of the Earth of the cow, of Sarasvati (the goddess of speech), of Brahmanas, and of Keshava, has never to languish.

In this Veda in the Ramayana and in the sacred Bharata, O chief of Bharata's race, Hari is sung ia the beginning, the middle, and the end.

That in which occurs excellent discourse abyur Vishnu, and the eternal Shrutis should be listened to be men desirous of acquiring the highest end.

This treatise is purifying. This is the highest indicator as regards duties: this is endues with every merit. One desirous of prosperity should listen to it.

Sins committed by means of the body by means of words and by means of the mind, are all dissipated (through listening to the Bharata) as Darkness at sunrise.

One devoted to Vishnu acquires (through this) that merit which is acquired by listening to the eighteen Puranas. There is no doubt in this.

Man and women (by listening to (this) world certainly acquire the status of Vishnu. Women desirous of children should certainly listen to this which proclaims the fame of Vishnu.

One desirous of acquiring the fruits which belong to a recitations of the Bharata should according to one's power, give unto the reciter Dakshina as also as honorarium in gold.

One desirous of one's own behoot should give to the reciter a Kapila cow with horns cased in gold and accompanied by her calf, covered with a cloth.

Ornaments, O chief of Bharata's race for the arms as also those for the ears, should be given. Besides these other kinds of riches should be presented.

To the reciter, O king of men, gift of land should be made. No gift like that of land could ever be or will be.

The man who listens to the Bharata) or that recites it to other people becomes purged of all his sins and acquires. at last the status of Vishnu.

Such a man rescue his ancestors to the eleventh, degree, as also himself with his wives and sons, O chief of Bharata's race. After concluding a recitation of the Bharata, one should, O king perform a Homa with all its ten parts. I have thus, o king, told everything in your presence.