Having saluted Hari, the master of senses and the preceptor or the mobile and immobile, the Prime Purusha Icāna, who is eulogised and propitiated with oblations by many in sacrifices, who is real, who is Brahman, shorn of all attachments, is both manifest and not manifest, who does exist for ever, who is above the real and unreal and from whom has emanated this universe, visible and invisible, who is above all, the creator of all, ancient, great and undecaying; who is joy and the giver of joy, who is Vishnu, the worshipful of all, sinless and pure, the virtuous-souled great Muni Kulapati⁶ Sounaka, well-read in all scriptures, said to Souti in the forest of Naimisha (1-4). Sounakla said:—O Souti, you have recounted the great history of the descendants of Bharata as well as that of other kings; of the gods, demons, Gandharvas, serpents, Rākshasas, Daityas, Siddhas and of Guhyakas as well (5-6). You have described in sweet words the most excellent and sacred Purāna, dealing with their wondrous deeds, heroic feats and religious practices and their births. This nectarine theme, affording pleasure unto the mind and ears, O Souti, has given us satisfaction. O son of Lomaharshana, while describing the birth and history of the Kurus, you forgot to narrate the history of Vrishnis and Andhakas.⁷ It becomes you to relate their history (7–9). Souti said:—I shall now relate to you the story of the birth of Vrishnis from the very beginning about which the pious disciples of Vyasa, Vaishampāyana was accosted by Janamejaya (10). Hearing the complete history of the descendants of Bharata, the highly wise Janamejaya, born in their race, said to Vaishampāyana (11). Janemejaya said:—You described before in full and I heard the story of Mahābhārata full of many meanings and Historical accounts (12). Therein you mentioned the names and deeds of many mighty car-warriors and heroes of the Vrishni and Andhaka families (13). O foremost of the twice born, you have described briefly and fully their many excellent deeds (14). Though this ancient story has been recounted again and again, still I have not been satiated with it. The Pāndavas and Vrishnis are related to each other; you are competent enough to describe their families and you have with your own eyes seen everything. Therefore, O you having asceticism for your wealth, do you describe their family at length (15–16). I wish to know who were born in which families. Therefore, O great ascetic, beginning with the Patriarch and recollecting their previous creations, do you describe truly everything at length (17). Souti said:—Having been welcomed and accosted by him, the high-souled ascetic of rigid austerities described in full the whole story from the very beginning (18).