Introduction
At the dawn of the present age.
Suta was widely renowed for his knowledge of sacred histories. Once he journed to the forest called Naimisharanya, where the learned Shaunaka, assisted by strict and powerful sages, was conducting a twelve-year sacrifice at the dawn of the present iron age. Humbly bowing his head, Suta approached the seated sages, greeting them with folded hands, and inquired about the progress of their austerities. The forest dwellers welcomed him into their middst, eager to hear the fascinating histories he knew so well.
As all the ascetics again sat down together, they offered Suta the speaker's seat of honor. Seeing Suta was comfortable, one of the sages, eager to begin their talks, inquired from him: "Dear Suta, where are you coming from, and how have you been spending your time? Please tell us."
Suta replied: "I recently attended the sacrifice of King Janamejaya, who is a great soul amongst earthly rulers. In that sacrifice King Janamejaya tried to destroy all the naga serpents in the universe in order to avenge his father's death. During that ceremony, I heard many wonderful and pious stories known together as the Mahabharata. Later I traveled here to Naimisharanya, desiring to see you all, whom I consider self-realized souls. Indeed, having purified yourselves by this sacrifice, you great souls shine like the sun. Dear sages, you have spent your lives well, on what subject would you now have me speak? Shall I narrate pious histories of antiquity, shall we discuss universal principles of justice or perhaps the lives of great souls?"
The sages replied to Suta's questions: "We would like to hear that historical narrative which was first spoken by Vyasa, the greatest of all sages. Indeed, when the godly and wise hear this chronicle with its variety of topics and its exquisite composition, they instantly honor it. This sacred work known as the Mahabharata fulfills the noblest aims of literature, for it is invested with subtlety, logic and vast knowledge, enlivening the soul with wisdom.