Sauti said I shall recount to you that ancient history, which is quite of a piece with the Vedas, and which the illustrious Vaishampayana recited to the son of Parikshit on the occasion of the great Snake-sacrifice.
सौतिरुवाच कथयिष्यामि ते सर्वं पुराणं वेदसम्मितम्॥ जगौ यद् भगवान् व्यासो राज्ञः पारिक्षितस्य वै।