Shounaka requests Souti to recite the Mahabharata
With the tale of Astika concluded, the listener Shounaka is pleased — but not satisfied. He has heard the prelude. Now he wants the main story: the epic composed by Vyasa and recited at Janamejaya's sacrifice.
Souti, the storyteller, finished his narration. “Thus have I narrated to you Astika’s story, exactly as it occurred,” he said. “When recounted, this story dispels all fear of snakes. On hearing this virtuous and blessed account of Astika’s exploits, an account that increases one’s store of merit, one has no fear of snakes.”
His listener, the sage Shounaka, was pleased. “O son of a suta! You have narrated to me the great and extensive story of the Bhrigu lineage. I am extremely pleased with you.” But his curiosity had only been whetted. The story of Astika was the story of how the snake sacrifice — the setting for the entire recitation — was stopped. It was the frame. Now Shounaka wanted the painting within the frame.
“I now ask you to recite for me again the wonderful accounts composed by Vyasa,” Shounaka said, “exactly as they were recited by the great-souled sadasyas at the long-extending sacrifice, during intervals at the ceremonies. O learned one! I wish to hear exactly the reasons behind those narrations.”
Souti clarified: during the intervals in Janamejaya’s sacrifice, the Brahmanas had spoken about many accounts from the Vedas. But the central narration, the one that filled the pauses between rituals, was the work of the sage Vyasa. It was the great history known as the Bharata.
Shounaka’s request became specific. “I wish to hear that sacred account known as the Mahabharata, which spread the fame of the Pandavas. Asked by King Janamejaya, Krishna Dvaipayana — Vyasa — had it properly recited during intervals in the sacrifice. It had its origins in the ocean-like mind of the maharshi of pure deeds. Recite it again to me. I am not satisfied.”
The preamble was over. The stage, set by the story of Astika and Janamejaya, was now occupied by the older, vaster drama of the Bharatas. Souti agreed. “I shall recite from the beginning the great and supreme account of the Mahabharata, as Krishna Dvaipayana conceived it in his mind. O Brahmana! Listen to it. I too derive great pleasure in recounting it.”