The generation of Devas, in brief, was thirty-three thousand,
thirty-three hundred and thirty- three. The sons of Div were
Brihadbhanu, Chakshus, Atma Vibhavasu, Savita, Richika, Arka,
Bhanu, Asavaha, and Ravi. Of these Vivaswans of old, Mahya was
the youngest whose son was Deva-vrata. The latter had for his son,
Su-vrata who, we learn, had three sons, Dasa-jyoti, Sata-jyoti, and
Sahasra-jyoti, each of them producing numerous offspring. The illus-
trious Dasa-jyoti had ten thousand, Sata-jyoti ten times that number,
and Sahasra-jyoti ten times the number of Sata-jyoti's offspring. From
these are descended the family of the Kurus, of the Yadus, and of
Bharata ; the family of Yayati and of Ikshwaku ; also of all the Rajarshis.
Numerous also were the generations produced, and very abundant were
the creatures and their places of abode. The mystery which is threefold
the Vedas, Yoga, and Vijnana Dharma, Artha, and Kama also
various books upon the subject of Dharma, Artha, and Kama ; also
rules for the conduct of mankind ; also histories and discourses with
various srutis ; all of which having been seen by the Rishi Vyasa are here in due order mentioned as a specimen of the book.
The Rishi Vyasa published this mass of knowledge in both a
detailed and an abridged form, It is the wish of the learned in the world to possess the details and the abridgement. Some read the Bharata
beginning with the initial mantra (invocation), others with the story of
Astika, others with Uparichara, while some Brahmanas study the whole.
Men of learning display their various knowledge of the institutes in
commenting on the composition. Some are skilful in explaining it, while others, in remembering its contents.
The son of Satyavati having, by penance and meditation, analysed
the eternal Veda, afterwards composed this holy history, when that
learned Brahmarshi of strict vows, the noble Dwaipayana Vyasa, off-
spring of Parasara, had finished this greatest of narrations, he began
to consider how he might teach it to his disciples. And the possessor of
the six attributes, Brahma, the world's preceptor, knowing of the
anxiety of the Rishi Dwaipayana, came in person to the place where
the latter was, for gratifying the saint, and benefiting the people.
And when Vyasa, surrounded by all the tribes of Munis, saw him, he
was surprised ; and, standing with joined palms, he bowed and ordered
a seat to be brought. And Vyasa having gone round him who is called
Hiranyagarbha seated on that distinguished seat stood near it ; and
being commanded by Brahma Parameshthi, he sat down near the seat, full
of affection and smiling in joy. Then the greatly glorious Vyasa, address-
ing Brahma Parameshthi, said, "O divine Brahma, by me a poem hath
been composed which is greatly respected. The mystery of the Veda,
and what other subjects have been explained by me ; the various
rituals of the Upanishads with the Angas ; the compilation of the
Puranas and history formed by me and named after the three divisions
of time, past, present, and future ; the determination of the nature
of decay, fear, disease, existence, and non-existence ; a description
of creeds and of the various modes of life ; rule for the four castes,
and the import of all the Puranas ; an account of asceticism and of the
duties of a religious student ; the dimensions of the sun and moon, the
planets, constellations, and stars, together with the duration of the
four ages ; the Rik, Sama and Yajur Vedas ; also the Adhyatma ; the
sciences called Nyaya, Orthoepy and Treatment of diseases ; charity
and Pasupatadharma ; birth celestial and human, for particular pur-
poses ; also a description of places of pilgrimage and other holy places of
rivers, mountains, forests, the ocean, of heavenly cities and the kalpas ; the art of war ; the different kinds of nations and languages : the nature
of the manners of the people ; and the all-pervading spirit ; all these
have been represented. But, after all, no writer of this work is to be
found on earth.