It is composed in beautiful language and it includes all other works. It is explained by all Shastras and contains the sense of the four Vedas. (But Sauti), we desire to hear Bharata, the sacred history that drives away all fear, the holy composition of great Vyasa, just as it was beautifully narrated in the great Snake-sacrifice of Raja Janamejaya by Rishi Vaishampayana as directed by Krishna Dvaipayana himself.
भारतस्येतिहासस्य पुण्यां ग्रन्थार्थसंयुताम्। संस्कारोपगतां ब्राह्मीं नानाशास्त्रोपबृंहिताम्॥ जनमेजयस्य यां राज्ञो वैशंपायन उक्तवान्। यथावत् स ऋषिस्तुष्ट्या सत्रे द्वैपायनाज्ञया।॥ वेदैश्चतुर्भिः संयुक्तां व्यासस्याद्भुतकर्मणः। संहितां श्रोतुमिच्छामो ध` पापभयापहाम्॥