The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section IV
Section IV.
( Pauloma Parva ).
Ugrasrava Sauti, the son of Lomaharshana, versed in the Puranas, being in the forest of Naimisha, at the twelve years' sacrifice of Saunaka surnamed Kulapati, stood before the Rishis in attendance. Having studied the Puranas with great pains and therefore acquainted with them thoroughly, with joined hands he addressed them thus, "I have graphically described to ye the history of Utanka which is one of the causes of King Janamejaya's Snake-sacrifice. What, reverend Sirs, do ye wish to hear? What shall I relate to ye?" The holy men replied, "O son of Lomaharshana, we shall ask thee and thou wilt reply unto us anxious to hear, recounting some excellent stories. Saunaka our reverend master is at present attending in 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 shastras 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 ordinance. He is respected by us all. It behoves 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, by him questioned I will narrate sacred stories on a variety of subjects." After a while that excellent Brahmana (Saunaka) having duly performed all his duties, and having propitiated the gods with prayers and the manes of his fathers with oblations of water, came back to the place of sacrifice, where with Sauti seated before were the assembly of saints of rigid vows sitting at their ease. And when Saunaka was seated in the midst of the Ritwikas and Sadasyas, who were also returned to their places, he spake as followeth.