Vaishampayana Introduces the Bharata History to Janamejaya
At King Janamejaya's request, the sage Vaishampayana prepares to recite the entire history of the Bharata lineage. He bows to his preceptor and announces he will tell the story of the quarrel between the Kurus and the Pandavas, a conflict born of envy that led to a war that destroyed the earth.
Vaishampayana bowed first to his preceptor. He centered his mind and intellect, and with devotion, reverence, and single-mindedness, he worshipped all the Brahmanas and learned men. Then he addressed King Janamejaya.
"O king," he said. "You are a worthy person to hear the history of Bharata. Having received this account from my preceptor, I am delighted to be able to recite it."
His preceptor was the great-souled Vyasa, a wise maharshi famous in the three worlds, infinite in his accomplishments. The story Vaishampayana was about to tell was the one he had heard from Vyasa himself.
He set the stage for the king. "Hear how the quarrel between the Kurus and the Pandavas occurred. In a desire for the kingdom, hear about the exile as a result of the game of dice." He promised to recount the battle that ensued — the battle that destroyed the earth.
He began with the origins of the conflict. After their father Pandu's death, the Pandava warriors returned to their home in Hastinapura from the forest. In a short time, they became skilled in the art of archery and the knowledge of the Vedas. They were all gifted with immense physical strength, beauty, energy, fame, and fortune. The citizens loved them.
The Kurus became envious.