An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s1.468.1

c5.s1.468.1

Çaunaka in the Naimisha forest, where he related the Mahābhārata, (§ 2) beginning with the adoration of Vishṇu identified with the Absolute (Brahmán), and (§ 3) a brief exposition of the creation and succession of beings from the Absolute through Brahmán, the 21 Prajāpatis (a), gods, etc. (β), down to the families of the Kurus, etc. (γ), mentioned in the poem.—§ 4: The Mahābhārata contains an enlarged and an abridged form; some make it begin with Manu (i.e. I, 75, 18 = 3143; otherwise Nil.), some with Astika (i.e. I, 13, 1 = 1020), and some with Uparicara (i.e. I, 63, 1 = 2334) (v. 52). Vyāsa had composed the Mahābhārata in a moment, and, at the counsel of Brahmán, had Gaṇeça to write it down as fast as he dictated to him. (An enumeration of the first sixteen books is contained in v. 88-91.) The portion destined for men (100,000 çlokas out of six millions) be taught Vaiçampāyana, who narrated it in the intervals between the parts of the serpent-sacrifice of Janamejaya, first giving a survey of the principal contents (a), partly in the form of a conversation between Dhṛtarāshṭra and Sañjaya.—§ 5: Sañjaya, in order to console Dhṛtarāshṭra, first enumerated 24 great kings (a), who were formerly mentioned by Nārada to Çaivya (B. Çvaitya) when lamenting the loss of a son, and thereupon (§ 6) 66 others (a), who had all died.—§ 7: He, who hears or reads the Mahābhārata, is purified from the most atrocious sins (261 ff. = 254 ff.). Anukūla = Vishṇu (1000 names). Anumati.