Parva 3 Chapter 132: pārāyaṇaparvakrameṇa mahābhārataśravaṇaphalam - procedures for reciting Mahabharata and benefits thereof

janamejaya said: O lord! (vaiśampāyana !) What is the procedure by which the wise men shall hear mahābhārata? What is the result of reciting and hearing mahābhārata? Who are the gods to be worshipped on conclusion of the recital session? deyaṁ samāpte bhagavan kiṁ ca parvaṇi parvaṇi | vācakaḥ kīdṛśaścātra yaṣṭavyastadbravīhi me ||3-132-2 O lord! What shall be offered at the conclusion of reciting each parva? What are the qualifications of the reciter? How shall he be honored? Kindly tell me all these. vaiśampāyana uvāca śṛṇu rājanvidhimimaṁ phalaṁ yacchati bhāratāt | śrutādbhavanti rājendra yattvaṁ māmanupṛcchasi ||3-132-3 vaiśampāyana said: O king! (janamejaya!) Hear the procedure of reciting and hearing mahābhārata. O the indra of kings! You asked me about the results of hearing mahābhārata. Hear also that. divi devā mahīpāla krīḍārthamavaniṁ gatāḥ | kṛtvā kāryamidaṁ caiva tatashcha divamāgatāḥ ||3-132-4 O the protector of earth (janamejaya)! The gods of heaven went to the earth for playing. After accomplishing their task, they returned to heaven. hanta yatte pravakṣyāmi tacchṛṇuṣva samāhitaḥ | ṛṣīṇāṁ devatānāṁ ca saṁbhavaṁ vasudhātale ||3-132-5 Now listen with concentration and attention, to what I am telling you about the incidents of the groups of sages and gods on the face of earth. atra rudrāstathā sādhyā viśvedevāścha śāśvatāḥ | ādityāścāśvinau devau lokapālā maharṣayaḥ ||3-132-6 In the mahābhārata, you will find the eternal rudra-s, sādhya-s, the gods of the universe, āditya-s, the twin ashvin deva-s, the protectors of the world and the great sages, guhyakāścha sagandharvā nāgā vidyādharāstathā | siddhā dharmaḥ svayaṁbhūścha muniḥ kātyāyano varaḥ ||3-132-7 guuhyaka-s along with gandharva-s, nāga-s as also vidyādhara-s, siddha-s, dharma, the self born (brahma) and the best sage kātyāyana, girayaḥ sāgarā nadyastathaivāpsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ | grahāḥ saṁvatsarāścaiva ayanānyṛtavastathā ||3-132-8 mountains, oceans, rivers as well as groups of divine women, planets, years and the pathways as also seasons, sthāvaraṁ jaṅgamaṁ caiva jagatsarvaṁ surāsuraṁ | bhārate bharataśreṣṭha ekasthamiha dṛśyate ||3-132-9 the fixed as well as the moving world, as also the entire universe, the deva-s and the asura-s - O the best among the race of bharata! (janamejaya!) You can see all these together in mahābhārata. teṣāṁ śrutipratiṣṭhānāṁ nāmakarmānukīrtanāt | kṛtvāpi pātakaṁ ghoraṁ sādyo muchyeta mānavaḥ ||3-132-10 By reciting the names and deeds of these, established in the orally transmitted sacred knowledge, man is released fully even from a terrible sin committed by him, itihāsamimaṁ śrutvā yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ | samyatātmā śuchirbhūtvā pāraṁ gatvā ca bhārate ||3-132-11 and by hearing this itihāsa as per the procedure, one with a controlled soul becomes pure, on going over the shore of mahābhārata (completing the reciting and hearing). teṣāṁ śṛṇu tvaṁ śrāddhāni śrutvā bhārata bhārataṁ | brāhmaṇebhyo yathāśaktyā bhaktyā ca bharatarṣabha ||3-132-12 O the one born in the race of bharata, listen to what shall be offered to those who heard the recital of bhārata. O the bull of bhārata race! The best brahmins shall be offered with devotion, mahādānāni deyāni ratnāni vividhāni ca | gāvāḥ kāṁsyopadohāścha kanyāścaiva svalaṅkṛtāḥ ||3-132-13 great offerings such as variety of jewels, cows, brass vessels (for drinking milk) and maidens decorated with clothes and ornaments, sarvakāmaguṇopetā yānāni vividhāni ca | bhājanāni vicitrāṇi bhūmirvāsāṁsi kāṣchanam ||3-132-14 who are enriched with all desirable qualities, varieties of carriages, different vessels, land , clothes and gold, vāhanāni ca deyāni hayā mattāścha vāraṇāḥ | śayanaṁ śibikāścaiva syandanāścha svalaṅkṛtāḥ ||3-132-15 vehicles as well as horses and elephants in rut, beds, palanquins as well as fully decorated chariots. yadyadgṛhe varaṁ kimchidyadyadasti mahadvasu | tattaddeyaṁ dvijātibhya ātmā dārāścha sūnavaḥ ||3-132-16 Whatever best materials and great wealth that are available at home shall be offered to the best of the twiceborns. The wife and sons of the self shall also participate in giving these offerings. śraddhayā parayā dattaṁ kramashastasya pāragaḥ | śaktitaḥ sumanā hṛṣṭaḥ śuśrūṣuravikampanaḥ ||3-132-17 The person who conducts the reciting of mahābharata in order shall offer all these with attention, with a good mind, with pleasure, keeping an attitude of service with an unwavering mind. satyārjavarato yattaḥ śuchiḥ śauchaparāyaṇaḥ | śraddadhāno jitakrodho yathā siddhyati tacchṛṇu ||3-132-18 Listen how the listener, who is interested in the truth and simplicity, industrious, pure, who is interested in having purity, attentive, who has conquered anger, can become accomplished. śuchiḥ śīlānvitācāraḥ śuklavāsā jitendriyaḥ | saṁskṛtaḥ sarvaśāstrajṣaḥ śraddadhāno'nasūyakaḥ ||3-132-19 rūpavānsubhago dāntaḥ satyavādī jitendriyaḥ | dānamānagrahītā ca kāryo bhavati vācakaḥ ||3-132-20 The reciter shall be pure, having good habits and observing rituals, wearing white clothes, one who conquered his senses, cultured, expert in all treatises, attentive, devoid of jealousy, handsome, of good fortune, controlling his mind and body, one who speaks truth, one who conquered his senses, and one who receives offers and respect. avilambamanāyastamadrutaṁ dhīramūrjitam | asaṁsaktākṣarapadaṁ na ca bhāvasamanvitam ||3-132-21 triṣaṣṭivarṇasaṁyuktamaṣṭasthānasamīritam | vācayedvācakaḥ svasthaḥ svādhīnaḥ susamāhitaḥ ||3-132-22 The reciter shall recite composed, controlled and respectfully, without delay, without straining to pronounce tough letters, without hurrying, boldly, energetically, without pronouncing the letters not clearly, without leaving any letters, without keeping anything special in mind, pronouncing the sixty eight letters from the eight designated places of pronunciation. (Note 1) nārāyaṇaṁ namaskṛtya naraṁ caiva narottamam | devīṁ sarasvatīṁ caiva tato jayamudīrayet ||3-132-23 (Note 2) jaya shall be pronounced, bowing to nārāyaṇa, nara as well as the best among nara and also the goddess sarasvati. īdṛśādvācakādrājaṣcchrutvā bhārata bhāratam | niyamasthaḥ śuchiḥ śrotā śṛṇvansa phalamashnute ||3-132-24 O king! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) O the one of the race of bharata! The listener who is pure and self controlled, who hears mahābhārata with these words, shall obtain the full results. pāraṇaṁ prathamaṁ prāpya dvijānkāmaiścha tarpayet | agniṣṭomasya yāgasya phalaṁ vai labhate naraḥ ||3-132-25 At the conclusion of the first recital (of mahābhārata with harivaṁśa), satisfy the twice-borns by offering them what they like. Then one gets the result of performing the agniṣṭoma sacrifice (offered by one who is desirous of obtaining heaven). apsarogaṇasaṅkīrṇaṁ vimānaṁ labhate mahat | prahṛṣtaḥ satu devaishcha divaṁ yāti samāhitaḥ ||3-132-26 He shall obtain a great vimāna, full of divine women (between the waters of the clouds). He will become happy and reach heaven along with the gods. dvitīyaṁ pāraṇaṁ prāpya atirātraphalaṁ labhet | sarvaratnamayaṁ divyaṁ vimānamadhirohati ||3-132-27 The second recital (of mahābhārata with harivaṁśa) will yield the result of performing the sacrifice of atirātra. The person will mount a divine vimāna full of all kinds of jewels. divyamālyābharadharo divyagandhavibhūṣitaḥ | divyāṅgadadharo nityaṁ devaloke mahīyate |||3-132-28 He shall wear divine garlands and his body will be smeared with divine fragrances. He shall wear divine bracelets. He will be worshipped daily in the world of devas. tṛtīyaṁ pāraṇaṁ prāpya dvādaśāhaphalaṁ labhet | vasatyamarasaṅkāśo varṣāṇyayutaśo divi ||3-132-29 The third recital (of mahābhārata with harivaṁśa) will yield the result of performing the twelve day long sacrifice. He shall live in heaven like gods for ten thousand years. caturthaṁ vājapeyasya paṣchame dviguṇaṁ phalam | uditādityasaṅkāśaṁ jvalantamanalopamam ||3-132-30 The fourth recital (of mahābhārata with harivaṁśa) will yield the result of performing the vājapeya sacrifice (drink of strength or of battle) offered by those aspiring for the highest position and the fifth recital will bring twice the results. He will be splendorous like the sun, rising in the morning, comparable to the blazing fire. vimānaṁ vibudhaiḥ sārdhamāruhya divi gacchati | varṣāyutābhibhavane śakrasya divi modate ||3-132-31 He will mount a vimāna and go to heaven along with devas. He will enjoy at the residence of indra in heaven for ten thousand years. ṣaṣṭe dviguṇamastīti saptame triguṇaṁ phalam | The sixth recital will yield double the benefits and the seventh recital will yield thrice the benefits. kailāsaśikharākāraṁ vaidūryamaṇivedikam ||3-132-32 parikṣiptaṁ ca bahudhā maṇividrumabhūṣitam | vimānaṁ samadhiṣṭhāya kāmagaṁ sāpsarogaṇam ||3-132-33 sarvā.ṇllokānvicharate dvitīya iva bhāskaraḥ | He will mount a vimāna, which will give all that he desires. The vimāna will have the shape of the peak of mountain kailāsa. It will have a stage decorated by cat's eye (vaidūrya) gems. The vimāna will be decorated all around with a variety of jewels. Accompanied by divine women (between the waters of the clouds) he will travel all over the world, like a second sun. aṣṭame rājasūyasya pāraṇe labhate phalam ||3-132-34 chandrodayanibhaṁ ramyaṁ vimānamadhirohati | The eighth recital will yield the result of performing a royal sacrifice (rājasūya). He will mount a beautiful vimāna dazzling like the rising moon. candraraśmipratīkāśairhayairyuktaṁ manojavaiḥ ||3-132-35 sevyamano varastrīṇāṁ candrakāntatarairmukhaiḥ | mekhalānāṁ ninādena nūpurāṇāṁ ca niḥsvanaiḥ ||3-132-36 aṅke paramanārīṇāṁ sukhaṁ supto vibudhyate | The vimāna, as beautiful as the rays of the moon, will be yoked with horses having the speed of mind. It will be served by the best among women, having faces as beautiful as the moon, accompanied by the sound of girdles and anklets worn by them. He will sleep comfortably and wake up on the laps of the best women. navame kraturājasya vājimedhasya bhārata||3-132-37 O the one of the race of bharata! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) The ninth recital will yield the result of performing the king of sacrifices, the horse sacrifice. kāṣchanastambhanirvyūhaṁ vaidūryakṛtavedikam | jāmbūnadamayairdivyairgavākṣaiḥ sarvato vṛtam ||3-132-38 sevitaṁ cāpsaraḥsaṅghairgandharvairdivicāribhiḥ | vimānaṁ samadhiṣṭhāya śriyā paramayā jvalan ||3-132-39 Mounting on a vimāna, having a stage decorated with cat's eye gems and a group of golden columns, surrounded by divine golden water all around, served by groups of divine women and gandharva-s, blazing with prosperity (śrī), he shall travel all over heaven. divyamālyāmbaradharo divyachandanabhūṣitaḥ | modate daivataiḥ sārdhaṁ divi deva ivāparaḥ ||3-132-40 Wearing divine garlands and decorated with divine sandalwood paste, he shall enjoy in heaven along with gods as though he is another god. daśamaṁ pāraṇaṁ prāpya dvijatīnabhivandya ca | On completing the tenth recital, the twice-borns shall be honoured. kiṅkiṇījālanirghoṣaṁ patākādhvajaśobhitam ||3-132-41 ravavedikasaṅkāśaṁ vaidūryamaṇitoraṇam | hemajālaparikṣiptaṁ pravālavalabhīmukham ||3-132-42 gandharvairgītakuśalairapsarobhirniṣevitam | vimānaṁ sukṛtāvāsaṁ sukhenaivopapadyate ||3-132-43 He shall obtain a vimāna, the result of good deeds, with all comforts, full of the sounds of groups of bells, sparkling with flag and flagstaff, having a stage decorated with jewels, decorated with arches of cat's eye jewels, having golden windows, having coral porticos, served by gandharva-s who are experts in singing as well as divine women. mukuṭenārkavarṇena jāmbūnadavibhūṣaṇaḥ | divyachandanadigdhāṅgo divyamālyavibhūṣitaḥ ||3-132-44 He shall have a head dress with the colour of sun and golden ornaments. His limbs will be smeared with divine sandal paste. He will be decorated with divine garlands. divyā.ṇllokānpracharati divyairbhogaiḥ samanvitaḥ | vibudhānāṁ prasādena śriyā paramayā yutaḥ ||3-132-45 He shall have divine comforts moving in all the divine worlds. By the pleasure of the gods, he shall be yoked with prosperity. atha varṣagaṇānevaṁ svargaloke mahīyate | In this way, he will be honoured in the heaven for many years. tato gandharvasahitaḥ sahasrāṇyekaviṁśatiḥ ||3-132-46 puraṁdarapure ramye śakreṇa saha modate | Then he shall enjoy in the beautiful city of the destroyer of cities (indra), along with gandharva-s for twenty one thousand years. divyayānavimāneṣu lokeṣu vividheṣu ca ||3-132-47 divyanārīgaṇākīrṇo nivasatyamaro yathā | Afterwards he shall live in varieties of worlds, roaming in divine vimāna-s, surrounded by groups of divine women, like the gods. tataḥ sūryasya bhavane candrasya bhavane tatha ||3-132-48 shivasya bhavane rājanviṣṇoryāti salokatām | Then, he will live in the abode of sun as well as in the abode of moon, and O king (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued), in the abode of shiva. At last he will attain the world of viṣṇu. evametanmahārāja nātra kāryā vicāraṇa ||3-132-49 O great king! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) It will happen like this only. Nothing else is to be thought on this. śraddadhānena vai bhāvyamevamāha gururmama | vācakasya tu dātavyaṁ mānasā yadyadicchati ||3-132-50 (vaiśampāyana continued: O janamejaya!) My preceptor told me that one should listen to mahābhārata with attention. The one who recites shall be provided with all that he desires in his mind. hastyaśvarathayānādi vāhanaṁ ca viṣeśataḥ | kaṭakaṁ kuṇḍale caiva brahmasūtraṁ tathāparam ||3-132-51 He shall be provided with elephant, horse, chariot etc., and also a special carriage. He shall be provided with bracelets, ear rings as well as brahmasūtra. vastraṁ caiva vicitraṁ ca gandhaṁ caiva viṣeśataḥ | devavatpūjayettaṁ tu viṣṇulokamavāpnuyāt ||3-132-52 He shall also be provided with wonderful clothes as well as special fragrances. He shall be worshipped as though he is god. The devotee shall attain the world of viṣṇu. ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi yāni deyāni bhārate | vācamānetha viprebhyo rājanparvaṇi parvaṇi ||3-132-53 (vaiśampāyana continued: O janamejaya!) Now I shall tell you what should be given to the best of brahmins when the reciting of each parva of mahābhārata is completed. jātiṁ deśaṁ ca satyaṁ ca māhātmyaṁ bharatarṣabha | dharmavṛttiṁ ca vijṣāya kṣatriyāṇāṁ narādhipa ||3-132-54 Considering the race, place , truth and the greatness, O the bull of the race of bharata! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued), and the prescribed duty of kṣatraiya-s, O the ruler of men, svasti vācya dvijānādau tataḥ kāryaṁ pravartayet | samāpte parvaṇi tataḥ svaśaktyā tarpayeddvijān ||3-132-55 the recital of mahābhārata shall begin after wishing well to the twice-born. When the recital of the parva is concluded, the twice-borns shall be properly honoured. ādau tu vācakaṁ caiva vastragandhasamanvitam | vidhivadbhojayedrājanmadhupāyasasaṁyutam ||3-132-56 O king! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) To begin with the reciter who has been offered clothes and fragrances, shall be given sweet food as prescribed having rice and sugar. tato mūlaphalaprāyaṁ pāyasaṁ madhusarpiṣā | Astike bhojayedrājandadhyāccaiva guḍaudanam ||3-132-57 O king! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) When Astika (ādi) parva is recited, roots, fruits, items made of rice and sugar, ghee, honey as well as rice with sugar lumps shall be given as food. apūpaiścaiva pūpaiścha modakaishcha samanvitam | sabhāparvaṇi rājendra haviṣyaṁ bhojayedddvijān ||3-132-58 O the indra of kings! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) When sabhā parva is recited, varieties of rice cakes and sweet rice cakes shall be offered as food along with sacrificial rice offerings to the twice-born. āraṇyake mūlaphalaistarpayeccha dvijottamān | araṇīparva āsādya jalakumbhān pradāpayet ||3-132-59 On the recital of āraṇya parva, the best among twice-borns shall be offered roots and fruits as food. When aranī parva is reached, water pots shall be offered . tarpaṇāni ca mukhyāni vanyamūlaphalāni ca | sarvakāmaguṇopetaṁ viprebhyonnaṁ pradāpayet ||3-132-60 The best among the brahmins shall be offered the important items of wild roots, fruits along with rice endowed with all good qualities. virāṭaparvaṇi tathā vāsaṁsi vividhāni ca | On the recital of virāṭa parva, varieties of clothes shall be given. udyoge bharataśreṣṭha sarvakāmaguṇānvitam ||3-132-61 bhojanaṁ bhojayedviprān gandhamālyairalaṁkṛtān | O the best among the race of bharata! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) On the recital of udyoga parva, the brahmins shall be offered fragrances and garlands for decoration and food with all the best qualities. bhīṣmaparvaṇi rājendra dattvā yānamanuttamam | tataḥ sarvaguṇopetamannaṁ dadyātsusaṁskṛtam ||3-132-62 O the indra of kings! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) On the recital of bhīṣma parva, carriages of incomparable qualities shall be offered along with food of refined rice having all good qualities. droṇaparvaṇi viprebhyo bhojanaṁ paramārchitam | śarāścha deyā rājendra cāpānyasivarāstathā ||3-132-63 O the indra of kings! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) On the recital of droṇaparva, the best among the brahmins shall be offered the best food, arrows, bows as well as best swords. karṇaparvaṇyapi tathā bhojanaṁ sārvakāmikam | viprebhyaḥ saṁskṛtaṁ samyagdadyātsaṁyatamānasaḥ 3-132-64 On the recital of karṇaparva also, food with all desirable qualities made of refined rice shall be offered to the best among brahmins by the organizer having controlled mind. śalyaparvaṇi rājendra modakaiḥ saguḍaudanaiḥ | apūpaistarpayechcaiva sarvamannaṁ pradāpayet ||3-132-65 O the indra of kings! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) On the recital of shalyaparva, rice cakes with sugar and other types of cakes and rice shall be offered as food. gadāparvaṇyapi tathā mudgamiśraṁ pradāpayet | strīparvaṇi tathā ratnaistarpayettu dvijottamān ||3-132-66 On the recital of gadāparva also, rice mixed with green gram shall be offered as food. On the reciting of strī parva, the best among the twice-borns shall be offered jewels. ghṛtaudanaṁ purastāccha aiṣike dāpayetpunaḥ | tataḥ sarvaguṇopetamannaṁ dadyātsusaṁskṛtam ||3-132-67 At the beginning of the recital of aiṣika parva, ghee rice shall be offered. At the end, food made of refined rice with all qualities shall be offered. śāntiparvaṇyapi gate haviṣyaṁ bhojayeddvijān | āśvamedhikamāsādya bhojanaṁ sārvakāmikam ||3-132-68 On completing the recital of śānti parva, the brahmins shall be offered food worthy of oblation. On the recital of ashvamedhika parva, food with all desirable qualities shall be offered. tathāśramanivāse tu haviṣyaṁ bhojayeddvijān | mausale sārvaguṇikaṁ gandhamālyānulepanam ||3-132-69 In the same way on the recital of the āśramavāsa parva, food worthy of oblations shall be offered to the twice borns. On the recital of mausala parva, food with all qualities, fragrances and pastes shall be offered. mahāprasthānike tadvatsarvakāmaguṇānvitam | svargaparvaṇyapi tathā haviṣyaṁ bhojayeddvijān ||3-132-70 On the recital of mahāprasthanika parva, food with all desired qualities shall be offered. On the recital of svargarohaṇa parva, food worthy of oblation shall be offered to the twice-borns. harivaṁśasmaāpatau tu sahasraṁ bhojayeddvijān | gāmekāṁ niṣkasaṁyuktāṁ brāhmaṇāya nivedayet ||3-132-71 On the completion of reciting harivaṁśa, one thousand brahmins shall be offered food. The brahmins shall also be given a cow along with a gold coin. tadarddhenāpi dātavyā daridreṇāpi pārthīva | O king! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) At least half of this shall be offered to the poor. pratiparvasamāptau tu pustakaṁ vai vichakṣaṇaḥ ||3-132-72 suvarṇena ca saṁyuktaṁ vācakāya nivedayet | As each parva is completed, the wise one shall offer the book along with gold to the reciter. harivaṁśe parvaṇi ca pāyasaṁ tatra bhojayet ||3-132-73 On completing the recital of each parva of harivaṁśa, sweet items made of rice and sugar shall be offered as food. ślokaṁ vā ślokapādaṁ vā akṣaraṁ vā nṛpātmaja | śṛṇuyādekavittastu sa viṣṇudayito bhavet ||3-132-74 O the son of king! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) If one hears either a śloka or one fourth of a śloka or even a letter with attention, he shall become the devotee of viṣṇu. vyāsaṁ caiva sapatnīkaṁ pūjayeccha yathāvidhi | lakṣmīnārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ pūjitaṁ taccha pūjayet ||3-132-75 vyāsa shall be worshipped along with his wife as ordained. The god lakśminārāyaṇa shall also be worshipped. vācakaṁ pūjayedyastu bhūmivastrasudhenubhiḥ | viṣṇuḥ saṁpūjitastena sa sākṣāddevakīsutaḥ ||3-132-76 If the reciter is worshipped, offering land, clothes and cow, it is considered that viṣṇu himself, the son of devaki (kṛṣṇa) is worshipped. pāraṇe pāraṇe rājanyathāvadbharatarṣabha | samāpya sarvāḥ prayataḥ saṁhitāḥ śāstrakovidaḥ ||3-132-77 śubhe deshe niveśyātha kṣaumavastrābhisaṁvṛtaḥ | śuklāmbaradharaḥ śrīmāṣchuchirbhutvā svalaṁkṛtaḥ ||3-132-78 archayettaṁ yathānyāyaṁ gandhamālyaiḥ pṛthak pṛthak | O king! O the best among the bulls of the race of bharata! (O janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) The wise one, expert of all treatises, controlling his senses, in an appropriate form, completing the recital of mahābhārata in full (along with harivaṁśa), on each recital session, having seated the reciter on an auspicious seat, covered in good linen, wearing white clothes, becoming auspicious, purified and decorated, shall worship him again and again as prescribed with fragrance and garlands. saṁhitāpustakānrājanprayataḥ śiṣṭasaṁmataḥ ||3-132-79 O king! (O janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) The one having controlled mind, respected by others, shall also worship all the books. bhakṣyairmāṁsaiścha peyaishcha kāmaiścha vividhaiḥ śubhaiḥ hiraṇyaṁ gāṁ ca vastraṁ ca dakṣiṇāmatha dāpayet ||3-132-80 The reciter shall be offered many varieties of desirable and auspicious eatables, meat, drinkables, gold, cows, clothes as well as tributes. sarvatra tripalaṁ svarṇaṁ dātavyaṁ praṇatātmanā | tadardhaṁ pādaśeṣaṁ vā vittaśāṭhyavivarjitam ||3-132-81 On the completion of all recitals, three measures of gold shall be offered respectfully. If this is not possible half or one fourth of this shall be offered, devoid of any miserliness in spite of having wealth. yadyadevātmano'bhīṣṭaṁ tattaddeyaṁ dvijātaye | The twice-borns shall be given whatsoever they like in their minds. sarvathā toṣayedbhaktyā vācakaṁ gurumātmanaḥ | devatāḥ kīrtayetsarvā naranārāyaṇau tathā ||3-132-82 The reciter, the preceptor shall be pleased in his soul by all means. The gods as also the sages, nara and nārāyana shall be pleased as well. tato gandhaishcha mālyaiścha svalaṁkṛtadvijottamān | tarpayedvividhaiḥ kāmairdānaiśchocchcāvacaistathā ||3-132-83 Again, the best among the twice-borns shall be decorated with garlands. They shall be offered fragrances and worshipped with various desirable large and small offerings. atirātrasya yajṣasya phalaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ | prāpnuyāccha kratuphalaṁ tathā parvaṇi parvaṇi ||3-132-84 That person shall obtain the result of performing the sacrifice of atirātra. He shall obtain the results of performing the sacrifice on completing the recital of each parva. vācako bharataśreṣṭha vyaktākṣarapadasvaraḥ | bhaviṣyaṁ śrāvayedviprānbhārataṁ bharatarṣabha ||3-132-85 O the best among the race of bharata! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) The reciter shall recite bhaviṣya parva as well as other parvas of mahābhārata, to the twice-borns, O the bull of the bharata race, clearly pronouncing each letter and words with proper sound. bhuktavatsu dvijendreṣu yathāvatsaṁpradāpayet | vācakaṁ bharataśreṣṭha bhojayitvā svalaṁkṛtam ||3-132-86 After the indras of the twice-borns have taken their food, O the bull of the bharata race! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) The reciter shall be offered food and be decorated (given tribute). vācake parituṣṭe tu śubhā prītiranuttamā | brāhmaṇeṣu ca tuṣṭeṣu prasannāḥ sarvadevatāḥ ||3-132-87 If the reciter becomes pleased, then the highest satisfaction and pleasure shall be obtained. When the brahmins are made happy, all the gods become pleased. tato hi bharaṇaṁ kāryaṁ dvijānāṁ bharatarṣabha | sarvakāmairyathānyāyaṁ sādubhiścha yathākramam ||3-132-88 O the bull of the bharata race! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) Hence the brahmins shall be pleased in order by offering them all kinds of best items they desire as required. ityeṣa vidhiruddiṣṭo mayā te dvipadāṁ vara | śraddadhānena vai bhāvyaṁ yanmāṁ tvaṁ paripṛcchasi ||3-132-89 O the best among those having two legs (men)! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) Thus I have told you the procedure of reciting mahābharata and harivaṁśa . Listen with attention! You had asked me about this. bhārataśravaṇe rājanpāraṇe ca nṛpottama | sadā yatnavatā bhāvyaṁ śreyastu paramicchatā ||3-132-90 O king! O the best among kings! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) The one who at most desires prosperity shall always make effort to hear mahābhārata (with harivaṁśa) and recite the same. bhārataṁ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ bhārataṁ parikīrtayet | bhārataṁ bhavane yasya tasya hastagato jayaḥ ||3-132-91 mahābhārata (with harivaṁśa) shall be heard always. mahābharata shall be recited always. The one having mahābhārata at his home, has jaya in his hand. bharataṁ paramaṁ puṇyaṁ bhārataṁ vividhāḥ kathāḥ | bhārataṁ sevyate devairbhārataṁ parikīrtayet ||3-132-92 mahābhārata (with harivaṁśa) is most auspicious. mahabhārata has many stories. Even the gods honour mahābhārata and they praise mahābharata. bhārataṁ sarvaśāstrāṇāmuttamaṁ bharatarṣabha | bhāratātprāpyate mokṣastattvametadbravīmi te ||3-132-93 O the bull of the bharata race! ( O janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) mahābhārata is the best among all treatises. Liberation is attained with the recital of mahābhārata. I am telling you the principle (truth). mahābhāratamākhyānaṁ kṣitiṁ gāṁ ca sarasvatīṁ | brāhmaṇaṁ keśavaṁ cāpi kīrtayannāvasīdati ||3-132-94 The one who praises the story of mahābharata, earth, cows and the goddess sarasvati, brahmins, keshava (kṛṣṇa) shall never face any difficulty. vede rāmāyaṇe puṇye bhārate bharatarṣabha | ādau cānte ca madhye ca hariḥ sarvatra gīyate ||3-132-95 O the bull of bharata race! (janamejaya! vaiśampāyana continued) In veda, rāmāyaṇa as well as the meritorious mahābhārata, in the beginning, end as well as middle, hari (viṣṇu) is praised everywhere. yatra viṣṇukathā divyāḥ shrutayashcha sanātanāḥ | tacchrotavyaṁ manuṣyeṇa paraṁ padamihecchatā ||3-132-96 The person who desires the most high position in this world shall hear mahābhārata, having the divine story of viṣṇu and the eternal oral knowledge. etatpavitraṁ paramametaddharmanidarshanam | etatsarvaguṇopetaṁ śrotavyaṁ bhūtimicchatā ||3-132-97 mahābhārata is most auspicious. mahābhārata indicates the path of dharma. mahābhārata is endowed with all good qualities. The person who desires prosperity shall hear mahābhārata. kriyate'sārasaṁsāre vāṣchitasyaiva kāraṇam | harivaṁśasya śravaṇamiti dvaipayano'bravīt ||3-132-98 dvaipāyana (vyāsa) says that in this worthless world of mundane existence, hearing harivaṁśa shall achieve all desires. aśvamedhasahasreṇa vājapeyaśataistathā | yatphalaṁ prāpyate puṁbhistaddharervaṁśapāraṇāt ||3-132-99 By reciting harivaṁśa one obtains the result of performing one thousand horse sacrifices and one hundred vājapeya sacrifices. ajaramamaramekaṁ dhyeyamādyantaśūnyaṁ saguṇamaguṇamādyaṁ sthūlamatyantasūkṣmam | nirupamamanumeyaṁ yogināṁ jṣānagamyaṁ tribhuvanagurumīśaṁ tvāṁ prapanno'smi viṣṇo ||3-132-100 O viṣṇu! You are undecaying (ever young), devoid of death, only one, one worthy of meditation, the one having no beginning and end, with all qualities, without any qualities, the primal lord, the gross as well as most subtle, incomparable, immeasurable, the one who is reachable by the wisdom of yogis, the preceptor and the lord of the three worlds. I seek your refuge. sarvastaratu durgāṇi sarvo bhadrāṇi pashyatu | sarveṣāṁ vāṣchitā arthā bhavantvasya ca pāraṇāt ||3-132-101 Let all cross over difficulties, let everyone see auspiciousness and let all achieve what they desire by reciting and hearing this work as ordained. iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe bhaviṣyaparvaṇi [sarvaparvānukīrtane] śravaṇaphalakathane dvātriṁśadadhikaśatatamo'dhyāyaḥ This is one hundred and thirtysecond chapter of bhaviṣyaparva, harivaṁśa, khila of mahābharata, procedures for reciting Mahabharata and benefits thereof Note1: See the footnotes 1 and 2 for the hindi translation of 3-132-22 on Page 1354, shriharivamshapuranam, Gita Press, Gorakhpur (2006) in which the eight places of pronunciation and the sixtyfour letters are explained in detail. Note 2: Instead of caiva, Gita Press edition has vyāsaṁ nīlakaṇṭha commentary · 3-132-1 bhagavanniti | yadyapi bhārataṁ svargārohaṇāntamavamā(bhā?)ti tathāpi śataparvagaṇanāyāṁ harivaṁśasyāntarbhāvakathanāt harivaṁśāntameva bhāratamiti spaṣṭayituṁ atra bhārataśravaṇavidhiḥ kīrtyate | pāraṇeṣu samāptiṣu | etena asakṛtnnirantaraṁ bhārataṁ śrotavyaṁ paṭhitavyaṁ cheti darshitam | · 3-132-4 divīti devaḥ svargādityatra krīḍitvā divaṁ gatā iti munirāheti yojyam || · 3-132-5 etadeva vivṛṇoti - hanteti || · 3-132-10 teṣāmiti | yato'tra mahatā yatnena etacchṛṇvāt pāpanāśo bhavatītyarthaḥ | · 3-132-12 teṣāṁ bhāratayuddhe mṛtānāṁ bhīṣmādīnāṁ || · 3-132-22 triṣaṣṭityanena cakāra vakāraśasayajādi varṇāntaṁ vivekena uccāraṇaṁ kartavyamityarthaḥ | tadevāha | sthāneti | uraḥ shira ādi sthāneṣu samanvitaṁ bavayorabhedapakṣe hi sthānabhedābhāvānna ṣaṣṭivarṇatā bhavatītyarthaḥ | · 3-132-23 vācakasya vidhimāha nārāyaṇamiti | · 3-132-25 prathamaṁ pāraṇaṁ harivaṁśāntaṁ niyamapūrvakaṁ śrvaṇam | · 3-132-30 paṣchame dviguṇaṁ vājimedhadvayaphalam | · 3-132-32 ṣaṣṭe dviguṇaṁ vājimedhacatuṣṭayaphalam | saptame triguṇam dvādaśavājimedhaphalam || · 3-132-34 aṣṭame rājasūyasya phalaṁ tena caturviṁśati vājimedhatulyo rājasūya iti gamyate | · 3-132-37 kraturājasyetyanena sopānasya vājimedhasyaphalaṁ tena kevalānāṁ rājasuyānāmaṣṭacatvāriṁśatā tulyaḥ sopāno rājasūya iti gamyate || · 3-132-41 daśame tu pāraṇe tatopi dviguṇaṁ viṣṇusālokyaṁ kramamuktiprāpakaṁ prāpnotityāha daśamaṁ pāraṇamityadinā viṣṇoryāti sālokatamityantena || · 3-132-50 atra viṣṇusālokyaṁ prāptasya na punaḥ samsārabandhostīti bhāvaḥ | śravaṇamātrasyaitatphalaṁ arthāvadhāraṇapūrvakamanuṣtānavatastu bhāratādhyayanāttat puṇyādapi pādamadhīyataḥ | śraddhadānasya pūyante sarvapapānyaśeṣata iti prāgeva phalamuktaṁ | sarvapapāni prārabdaphalabhogapātakebhyonyāni | · 3-132-57 iti madhyadeśaprasiddhaiḥ apūpaistatsadṛśaiḥ saccidrapakvānnaiḥ || · 3-132-81 tadardhamiti | prabhuh prathamakalpasya yo nu kalpena vartayet sa nāpnoti phalam tasya iti vācanāt sarvathā pādonapalāt nyūnaṁ na deyamityarthaḥ | pādaḥ tripalacaturtho bhāgaḥ sa eva śeṣo'nthimaḥ | pakṣe yatra tatpādaśeṣaḥ | · 3-132-89 atirātrasyeti | paraṇābhāve'pi boddhavyaṁ | atyalpaparvaśravaṇe kṣudrakratuphalam | · 3-132-90 yatnavatā brahmacaryādi niyamavatā || · 3-132-91 bhāratam bhavane pustakarūpam || · 3-132-98 vināpi bhārataṁ kevalo harivansha eva shrotavya ityāśanenāha - kriyate iti | kriyate śiṣṭairiti śeṣaḥ | asāreticchedaḥ | vāṣchitasyaiva kāraṇam iṣṭapradam || · 3-132-99 pāraṇāt niyamapūrvakasamāpanāt | · 3-132-100 bhāratapratipādyāṁ devatāṁ praṇamiti - ajaramiti | · · 3-132-101 bhāratasamāptau - sham no mitraḥ sham varuṇaḥ ityādivat śāntiṁ paṭhati | sarvastaratviti || iti śrīmahābharate khileṣu harivaṁśe bhaviṣyaparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁ śravaṇaphalaṁ nāma dvātriṁśadadhikaśatatamo'dhyāyaḥ |