This holy history, Bharata, has been told by the illustrious Vyasa. The Brahmanas, learned in the Vedas and all those men who hear it recited with reverence and without malice, conquer the heavens and earn great virtues. Though sinning, he is not disrespected by any.
परं हीदं भारतं भगवता व्यासेन प्रोक्तं पावनं ये ब्राह्मणादयो वर्णाः श्रद्दधाना अमत्सरा मैत्रा वेदसम्पन्नाः श्रोष्यन्ति, तेऽपि स्वर्गजितः सुकृतिनोऽशोच्याः कृताकृते भवन्ति॥