Vaishampayana said : O great king, appoint a time (to hear it). This history is very extensive. This is but the beginning. I shall recite the whole of this history, composed by the illustrious Krishna Dvaipayana, the great Rishi, Vyasa of immeasurable mental power, who is adored by all the world.
वैशंपायन उवाच क्षणं कुरु महाराज विपुलोऽयमनुक्रमः। पुण्याख्यानस्य वक्तव्यः कृष्णद्वैपायनेरितः॥ महर्षेः सर्वलोकेषु पूजितस्य महात्मनः। प्रवक्ष्यामि मतं कृत्स्नं व्यासस्यामिततेजसः॥