Sauti said: After listening to the various sacred and wonderful stories of the Mahabharata composed by Krishna Dvaipayana those that were fully recited by Vaishampayana at the great Snake-sacrifice held by that noblehearted royal sage, the prince of all princes, the son of Parikshit, Janamejaya
सौतिरुवाच जनमेजयस्य राजर्षेः सर्पसत्रे महात्मनः॥ समीपे पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य सम्यक् पारिक्षितस्य च। कृष्णद्वैपायनप्रोक्ताः सुपुण्या विविधाः कथाः॥ कथिताश्चापि विधिवद् या वैशम्पायनेन वै। श्रुत्वाऽहं ता विचित्रार्था महाभारतसंश्रिताः॥