Bhishma said "This narrative, O king, which I have heard from my father, is extensive. I shall now recite it to you. Indeed, it is considered as the cream of all narratives.
भीष्म उवाच विस्तीर्णैषा कथा राजन् श्रुता मे पितृसंनिधौ। यैषा तव हि वक्तव्या कथासारो हि सा मता॥