SECTION 4
(Pauloma Parva)
'UGRASRAVA SAUTI, the son of Lomaharshana, versed in the Puranas,
while present in the forest of Naimisha, at the twelve years' sacrifice of Saunaka,
surnamed Kulapati, stood before the Rishis in attendance. Having studied
Puranas with meticulous devotion and thus being thoroughly acquainted with
them, he addressed them with joined hands thus, 'I have graphically described
to you the history of Utanka which is one of the causes of King Janamejaya's
Snake-sacrifice. What, revered Sirs, do ye wish to hear now? What shall I
relate to you?' The holy men replied, 'O son of Lomaharshana, we shall ask thee
about what we are anxious to hear and thou wilt recount the tales one by one.
Saunaka, our revered master, is at present attending the apartment of the holy
fire. He is acquainted with those divine stories which relate to the gods and
asuras. He adequately knoweth the histories of men, serpents, and Gandharvas. Further,
O Sauti, in this sacrifice that learned Brahmana is the chief. He is able,
faithful to his vows, wise, a master of the Sastras and the Aranyaka, a speaker
of truth, a lover of peace, a mortifier of the flesh, and an observer of the
penances according to the authoritative decrees. He is respected by us all. It
behoveth us therefore to wait for him. And when he is seated on his highly
respected seat, thou wilt answer what that best of Dwijas shall ask of thee.'
"Sauti said, 'Be it so. And when the high-souled master hath
been seated I shall narrate, questioned by him, sacred stories on a variety of subjects."
After a while that excellent Brahmana (Saunaka) having duly finished all his
duties, and having propitiated the gods with prayers and the manes with
oblations of water, came back to the place of sacrifice, where with Sauti
seated before was the assembly of saints of rigid vows sitting at ease. And
when Saunaka was seated in the midst of the Ritwiks and Sadhyas, who were also
in their seats, he spake as followeth."
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