Harivamsha MahA PurANam - bhaviShya Parva
    atha dvAtriMShadadhikashatatamo.adhyAyaH
    pArAyaNaparvakrameNa mahAbhAratashravaNaphalam
    harivamsha in the mahAbharata - bhaviShyaparva
    Lesson 132 - procedures for reciting Mahabharata and benefits thereof
janamejaya uvAcha
bhagavankena vidhinA shrotavyaM bhArataM budhaiH |
phalaM kiM ke cha devAshcha pUjyA vai pAraNeShviha ||3-132-1
janamejaya said:
O lord! (vaishampAyana !) What is the procedure by which the wise men shall hear mahAbhArata? What is the result of reciting and hearing mahAbhArata? Who are the gods to be worshipped on conclusion of the recital session?
deyaM samApte bhagavan kiM cha parvaNi parvaNi |
vAchakaH kIdR^ishashchAtra yaShTavyastadbravIhi 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.
vaishampAyana uvAcha
shR^iNu rAjanvidhimimaM phalaM yachChati bhAratAt |
shrutAdbhavanti rAjendra yattvaM mAmanupR^ichChasi ||3-132-3
vaishampAyana said:
O king! (janamejaya!) Hear the procedure of reciting and hearing mahAbhArata. O the indra of kings! You asked me about the results of hearing mahAbhArata. Hear also that.
divi devA mahIpAla krIDArthamavaniM gatAH |
kR^itvA kAryamidaM chaiva tatashcha divamAgatAH ||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 pravakShyAmi tachChR^iNuShva samAhitaH |
R^iShINAM devatAnAM cha saMbhavaM vasudhAtale ||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 rudrAstathA sAdhyA vishvedevAshcha shAshvatAH |
AdityAshchAshvinau devau lokapAlA maharShayaH ||3-132-6
In the mahAbhArata, you will find the eternal rudra-s, sAdhya-s, the gods of the universe, Aditya-s, the twin ashvin deva-s, the protectors of the world and the great sages,
guhyakAshcha sagandharvA nAgA vidyAdharAstathA |
siddhA dharmaH svayaMbhUshcha muniH kAtyAyano varaH ||3-132-7
guuhyaka-s along with gandharva-s, nAga-s as also vidyAdhara-s, siddha-s, dharma, the self born (brahma) and the best sage kAtyAyana,
girayaH sAgarA nadyastathaivApsarasAM gaNAH |
grahAH saMvatsarAshchaiva ayanAnyR^itavastathA ||3-132-8
mountains, oceans, rivers as well as groups of divine women, planets, years and the pathways as also seasons,
sthAvaraM ja~NgamaM chaiva jagatsarvaM surAsuraM |
bhArate bharatashreShTha ekasthamiha dR^ishyate ||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 mahAbhArata.
teShAM shrutipratiShThAnAM nAmakarmAnukIrtanAt |
kR^itvApi pAtakaM ghoraM sAdyo muchyeta mAnavaH ||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,
itihAsamimaM shrutvA yathAvadanupUrvashaH |
samyatAtmA shuchirbhUtvA pAraM gatvA cha bhArate ||3-132-11
and by hearing this itihAsa as per the procedure, one with a controlled soul becomes pure, on going over the shore of mahAbhArata (completing the reciting and hearing).
teShAM shR^iNu tvaM shrAddhAni shrutvA bhArata bhArataM |
brAhmaNebhyo yathAshaktyA bhaktyA cha bharatarShabha ||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 bhArata. O the bull of bhArata race! The best brahmins shall be offered with devotion,
mahAdAnAni deyAni ratnAni vividhAni cha |
gAvAH kAMsyopadohAshcha kanyAshchaiva svala~NkR^itAH ||3-132-13
great offerings such as variety of jewels, cows, brass vessels (for drinking milk) and maidens decorated with clothes and ornaments,
sarvakAmaguNopetA yAnAni vividhAni cha |
bhAjanAni vichitrANi bhUmirvAsAMsi kA~nchanam ||3-132-14
who are enriched with all desirable qualities, varieties of carriages, different vessels, land , clothes and gold,
vAhanAni cha deyAni hayA mattAshcha vAraNAH |
shayanaM shibikAshchaiva syandanAshcha svala~NkR^itAH ||3-132-15
vehicles as well as horses and elephants in rut, beds, palanquins as well as fully decorated chariots.
yadyadgR^ihe varaM kimchidyadyadasti mahadvasu |
tattaddeyaM dvijAtibhya AtmA dArAshcha sUnavaH ||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.
shraddhayA parayA dattaM kramashastasya pAragaH |
shaktitaH sumanA hR^iShTaH shushrUShuravikampanaH ||3-132-17
The person who conducts the reciting of mahAbharata in order shall offer all these with attention, with a good mind, with pleasure, keeping an attitude of service with an unwavering mind.
satyArjavarato yattaH shuchiH shauchaparAyaNaH |
shraddadhAno jitakrodho yathA siddhyati tachChR^iNu ||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.
shuchiH shIlAnvitAchAraH shuklavAsA jitendriyaH |
saMskR^itaH sarvashAstraj~naH shraddadhAno.anasUyakaH ||3-132-19
rUpavAnsubhago dAntaH satyavAdI jitendriyaH |
dAnamAnagrahItA cha kAryo bhavati vAchakaH ||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.
avilambamanAyastamadrutaM dhIramUrjitam |
asaMsaktAkSharapadaM na cha bhAvasamanvitam ||3-132-21
triShaShTivarNasaMyuktamaShTasthAnasamIritam |
vAchayedvAchakaH svasthaH svAdhInaH susamAhitaH ||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)
nArAyaNaM namaskR^itya naraM chaiva narottamam |
devIM sarasvatIM chaiva tato jayamudIrayet ||3-132-23
(Note 2)
jaya shall be pronounced, bowing to nArAyaNa, nara as well as the best among nara and also the goddess sarasvati.
IdR^ishAdvAchakAdrAja~nchChrutvA bhArata bhAratam |
niyamasthaH shuchiH shrotA shR^iNvansa phalamashnute ||3-132-24
O king! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) O the one of the race of bharata! The listener who is pure and self controlled, who hears mahAbhArata with these words, shall obtain the full results.
pAraNaM prathamaM prApya dvijAnkAmaishcha tarpayet |
agniShTomasya yAgasya phalaM vai labhate naraH ||3-132-25
At the conclusion of the first recital (of mahAbhArata with harivaMsha), satisfy the twice-borns by offering them what they like. Then one gets the result of performing the agniShToma sacrifice (offered by one who is desirous of obtaining heaven).
apsarogaNasa~NkIrNaM vimAnaM labhate mahat |
prahR^iShtaH satu devaishcha divaM yAti samAhitaH ||3-132-26
He shall obtain a great vimAna, full of divine women (between the waters of the clouds). He will become happy and reach heaven along with the gods.
dvitIyaM pAraNaM prApya atirAtraphalaM labhet |
sarvaratnamayaM divyaM vimAnamadhirohati ||3-132-27
The second recital (of mahAbhArata with harivaMsha) will yield the result of performing the sacrifice of atirAtra. The person will mount a divine vimAna full of all kinds of jewels.
divyamAlyAbharadharo divyagandhavibhUShitaH |
divyA~Ngadadharo nityaM devaloke mahIyate |||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 deva-s.
tR^itIyaM pAraNaM prApya dvAdashAhaphalaM labhet |
vasatyamarasa~NkAsho varShANyayutasho divi ||3-132-29
The third recital (of mahAbhArata with harivaMsha) will yield the result of performing the twelve day long sacrifice. He shall live in heaven like gods for ten thousand years.
chaturthaM vAjapeyasya pa~nchame dviguNaM phalam |
uditAdityasa~NkAshaM jvalantamanalopamam ||3-132-30
The fourth recital (of mahAbhArata with harivaMsha) will yield the result of performing the vAjapeya 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.
vimAnaM vibudhaiH sArdhamAruhya divi gachchati |
varShAyutAbhibhavane shakrasya divi modate ||3-132-31
He will mount a vimAna and go to heaven along with deva-s. He will enjoy at the residence of indra in heaven for ten thousand years.
ShaShTe dviguNamastIti saptame triguNaM phalam |
The sixth recital will yield double the benefits and the seventh recital will yield thrice the benefits.
kailAsashikharAkAraM vaidUryamaNivedikam ||3-132-32
parikShiptaM cha bahudhA maNividrumabhUShitam |
vimAnaM samadhiShThAya kAmagaM sApsarogaNam ||3-132-33
sarvA.NllokAnvicharate dvitIya iva bhAskaraH |
He will mount a vimAna, which will give all that he desires. The vimAna will have the shape of the peak of mountain kailAsa. It will have a stage decorated by cat's eye (vaidUrya) gems. The vimAna 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.
aShTame rAjasUyasya pAraNe labhate phalam ||3-132-34
chandrodayanibhaM ramyaM vimAnamadhirohati |
The eighth recital will yield the result of performing a royal sacrifice (rAjasUya). He will mount a beautiful vimAna dazzling like the rising moon.
chandrarashmipratIkAshairhayairyuktaM manojavaiH ||3-132-35
sevyamano varastrINAM chandrakAntatarairmukhaiH |
mekhalAnAM ninAdena nUpurANAM cha niHsvanaiH ||3-132-36
a~Nke paramanArINAM sukhaM supto vibudhyate |
The vimAna, 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 kraturAjasya vAjimedhasya bhArata||3-132-37
O the one of the race of bharata! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) The ninth recital will yield the result of performing the king of sacrifices, the horse sacrifice.
kA~nchanastambhanirvyUhaM vaidUryakR^itavedikam |
jAmbUnadamayairdivyairgavAkShaiH sarvato vR^itam ||3-132-38
sevitaM chApsaraHsa~NghairgandharvairdivichAribhiH |
vimAnaM samadhiShThAya shriyA paramayA jvalan ||3-132-39
Mounting on a vimAna, 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 (shrI), he shall travel all over heaven.
divyamAlyAmbaradharo divyachandanabhUShitaH |
modate daivataiH sArdhaM divi deva ivAparaH ||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.
dashamaM pAraNaM prApya dvijatInabhivandya cha |
On completing the tenth recital, the twice-borns shall be honoured.
ki~NkiNIjAlanirghoShaM patAkAdhvajashobhitam ||3-132-41
ravavedikasa~NkAshaM vaidUryamaNitoraNam |
hemajAlaparikShiptaM pravAlavalabhImukham ||3-132-42
gandharvairgItakushalairapsarobhirniShevitam |
vimAnaM sukR^itAvAsaM sukhenaivopapadyate ||3-132-43
He shall obtain a vimAna, 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.
mukuTenArkavarNena jAmbUnadavibhUShaNaH |
divyachandanadigdhA~Ngo divyamAlyavibhUShitaH ||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.
divyA.NllokAnpracharati divyairbhogaiH samanvitaH |
vibudhAnAM prasAdena shriyA paramayA yutaH ||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 varShagaNAnevaM svargaloke mahIyate |
In this way, he will be honoured in the heaven for many years.
tato gandharvasahitaH sahasrANyekaviMshatiH ||3-132-46
puraMdarapure ramye shakreNa 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.
divyayAnavimAneShu lokeShu vividheShu cha ||3-132-47
divyanArIgaNAkIrNo nivasatyamaro yathA |
Afterwards he shall live in varieties of worlds, roaming in divine vimAna-s, surrounded by groups of divine women, like the gods.
tataH sUryasya bhavane chandrasya bhavane tatha ||3-132-48
shivasya bhavane rAjanviShNoryAti salokatAm |
Then, he will live in the abode of sun as well as in the abode of moon, and O king (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued), in the abode of shiva. At last he will attain the world of viShNu.
evametanmahArAja nAtra kAryA vichAraNa ||3-132-49
O great king! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) It will happen like this only. Nothing else is to be thought on this.
shraddadhAnena vai bhAvyamevamAha gururmama |
vAchakasya tu dAtavyaM mAnasA yadyadichChati ||3-132-50
(vaishampAyana continued: O janamejaya!) My preceptor told me that one should listen to mahAbhArata with attention. The one who recites shall be provided with all that he desires in his mind.
hastyashvarathayAnAdi vAhanaM cha viSheshataH |
kaTakaM kuNDale chaiva brahmasUtraM tathAparam ||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 brahmasUtra.
vastraM chaiva vichitraM cha gandhaM chaiva viSheshataH |
devavatpUjayettaM tu viShNulokamavApnuyAt ||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 viShNu.
ataH paraM pravakShyAmi yAni deyAni bhArate |
vAchamAnetha viprebhyo rAjanparvaNi parvaNi ||3-132-53
(vaishampAyana continued: O janamejaya!) Now I shall tell you what should be given to the best of brahmins when the reciting of each parva of mahAbhArata is completed.
jAtiM deshaM cha satyaM cha mAhAtmyaM bharatarShabha |
dharmavR^ittiM cha vij~nAya kShatriyANAM narAdhipa ||3-132-54
Considering the race, place , truth and the greatness, O the bull of the race of bharata! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued), and the prescribed duty of kShatraiya-s, O the ruler of men,
svasti vAchya dvijAnAdau tataH kAryaM pravartayet |
samApte parvaNi tataH svashaktyA tarpayeddvijAn ||3-132-55
the recital of mahAbhArata shall begin after wishing well to the twice-born. When the recital of the parva is concluded, the twice-borns shall be properly honoured.
Adau tu vAchakaM chaiva vastragandhasamanvitam |
vidhivadbhojayedrAjanmadhupAyasasaMyutam ||3-132-56
O king! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana 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 mUlaphalaprAyaM pAyasaM madhusarpiShA |
Astike bhojayedrAjandadhyAchchaiva guDaudanam ||3-132-57
O king! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) When Astika (Adi) 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.
apUpaishchaiva pUpaishcha modakaishcha samanvitam |
sabhAparvaNi rAjendra haviShyaM bhojayedddvijAn ||3-132-58
O the indra of kings! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) When sabhA 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.
AraNyake mUlaphalaistarpayechcha dvijottamAn |
araNIparva AsAdya jalakumbhAn pradApayet ||3-132-59
On the recital of AraNya parva, the best among twice-borns shall be offered roots and fruits as food. When aranI parva is reached, water pots shall be offered .
tarpaNAni cha mukhyAni vanyamUlaphalAni cha |
sarvakAmaguNopetaM viprebhyonnaM pradApayet ||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.
virATaparvaNi tathA vAsaMsi vividhAni cha |
On the recital of virATa parva, varieties of clothes shall be given.
udyoge bharatashreShTha sarvakAmaguNAnvitam ||3-132-61
bhojanaM bhojayedviprAn gandhamAlyairalaMkR^itAn |
O the best among the race of bharata! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) On the recital of udyoga parva, the brahmins shall be offered fragrances and garlands for decoration and food with all the best qualities.
bhIShmaparvaNi rAjendra dattvA yAnamanuttamam |
tataH sarvaguNopetamannaM dadyAtsusaMskR^itam ||3-132-62
O the indra of kings! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) On the recital of bhIShma parva, carriages of incomparable qualities shall be offered along with food of refined rice having all good qualities.
droNaparvaNi viprebhyo bhojanaM paramArchitam |
sharAshcha deyA rAjendra chApAnyasivarAstathA ||3-132-63
O the indra of kings! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) On the recital of droNaparva, the best among the brahmins shall be offered the best food, arrows, bows as well as best swords.
karNaparvaNyapi tathA bhojanaM sArvakAmikam |
viprebhyaH saMskR^itaM samyagdadyAtsaMyatamAnasaH 3-132-64
On the recital of karNaparva also, food with all desirable qualities made of refined rice shall be offered to the best among brahmins by the organizer having controlled mind.
shalyaparvaNi rAjendra modakaiH saguDaudanaiH |
apUpaistarpayechchaiva sarvamannaM pradApayet ||3-132-65
O the indra of kings! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) On the recital of shalyaparva, rice cakes with sugar and other types of cakes and rice shall be offered as food.
gadAparvaNyapi tathA mudgamishraM pradApayet |
strIparvaNi tathA ratnaistarpayettu dvijottamAn ||3-132-66
On the recital of gadAparva also, rice mixed with green gram shall be offered as food. On the reciting of strI parva, the best among the twice-borns shall be offered jewels.
ghR^itaudanaM purastAchcha aiShike dApayetpunaH |
tataH sarvaguNopetamannaM dadyAtsusaMskR^itam ||3-132-67
At the beginning of the recital of aiShika parva, ghee rice shall be offered. At the end, food made of refined rice with all qualities shall be offered.
shAntiparvaNyapi gate haviShyaM bhojayeddvijAn |
AshvamedhikamAsAdya bhojanaM sArvakAmikam ||3-132-68
On completing the recital of shAnti parva, the brahmins shall be offered food worthy of oblation. On the recital of ashvamedhika parva, food with all desirable qualities shall be offered.
tathAshramanivAse tu haviShyaM bhojayeddvijAn |
mausale sArvaguNikaM gandhamAlyAnulepanam ||3-132-69
In the same way on the recital of the AshramavAsa 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.
mahAprasthAnike tadvatsarvakAmaguNAnvitam |
svargaparvaNyapi tathA haviShyaM bhojayeddvijAn ||3-132-70
On the recital of mahAprasthanika parva, food with all desired qualities shall be offered. On the recital of svargarohaNa parva, food worthy of oblation shall be offered to the twice-borns.
harivaMshasmaApatau tu sahasraM bhojayeddvijAn |
gAmekAM niShkasaMyuktAM brAhmaNAya nivedayet ||3-132-71
On the completion of reciting harivaMsha, one thousand brahmins shall be offered food. The brahmins shall also be given a cow along with a gold coin.
tadarddhenApi dAtavyA daridreNApi pArthIva |
O king! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) At least half of this shall be offered to the poor.
pratiparvasamAptau tu pustakaM vai vichakShaNaH ||3-132-72
suvarNena cha saMyuktaM vAchakAya nivedayet |
As each parva is completed, the wise one shall offer the book along with gold to the reciter.
harivaMshe parvaNi cha pAyasaM tatra bhojayet ||3-132-73
On completing the recital of each parva of harivaMsha, sweet items made of rice and sugar shall be offered as food.
shlokaM vA shlokapAdaM vA akSharaM vA nR^ipAtmaja |
shR^iNuyAdekavittastu sa viShNudayito bhavet ||3-132-74
O the son of king! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) If one hears either a shloka or one fourth of a shloka or even a letter with attention, he shall become the devotee of viShNu.
vyAsaM chaiva sapatnIkaM pUjayechcha yathAvidhi |
lakShmInArAyaNaM devaM pUjitaM tachcha pUjayet ||3-132-75
vyAsa shall be worshipped along with his wife as ordained. The god lakshminArAyaNa shall also be worshipped.
vAchakaM pUjayedyastu bhUmivastrasudhenubhiH |
viShNuH saMpUjitastena sa sAkShAddevakIsutaH ||3-132-76
If the reciter is worshipped, offering land, clothes and cow, it is considered that viShNu himself, the son of devaki (kr^iShNa) is worshipped.
pAraNe pAraNe rAjanyathAvadbharatarShabha |
samApya sarvAH prayataH saMhitAH shAstrakovidaH ||3-132-77
shubhe deshe niveshyAtha kShaumavastrAbhisaMvR^itaH |
shuklAmbaradharaH shrImA~nChuchirbhutvA svalaMkR^itaH ||3-132-78
archayettaM yathAnyAyaM gandhamAlyaiH pR^ithak pR^ithak |
O king! O the best among the bulls of the race of bharata! (O janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) The wise one, expert of all treatises, controlling his senses, in an appropriate form, completing the recital of mahAbhArata in full (along with harivaMsha), 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.
saMhitApustakAnrAjanprayataH shiShTasaMmataH ||3-132-79
O king! (O janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) The one having controlled mind, respected by others, shall also worship all the books.
bhakShyairmAMsaishcha peyaishcha kAmaishcha vividhaiH shubhaiH
hiraNyaM gAM cha vastraM cha dakShiNAmatha dApayet ||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 tripalaM svarNaM dAtavyaM praNatAtmanA |
tadardhaM pAdasheShaM vA vittashAThyavivarjitam ||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.
yadyadevAtmano.abhIShTaM tattaddeyaM dvijAtaye |
The twice-borns shall be given whatsoever they like in their minds.
sarvathA toShayedbhaktyA vAchakaM gurumAtmanaH |
devatAH kIrtayetsarvA naranArAyaNau tathA ||3-132-82
The reciter, the preceptor shall be pleased in his soul by all means. The gods as also the sages, nara and nArAyana shall be pleased as well.
tato gandhaishcha mAlyaishcha svalaMkR^itadvijottamAn |
tarpayedvividhaiH kAmairdAnaishchocchchAvachaistathA ||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.
atirAtrasya yaj~nasya phalaM prApnoti mAnavaH |
prApnuyAchcha kratuphalaM tathA parvaNi parvaNi ||3-132-84
That person shall obtain the result of performing the sacrifice of atirAtra. He shall obtain the results of performing the sacrifice on completing the recital of each parva.
vAchako bharatashreShTha vyaktAkSharapadasvaraH |
bhaviShyaM shrAvayedviprAnbhArataM bharatarShabha ||3-132-85
O the best among the race of bharata! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) The reciter shall recite bhaviShya parva as well as other parvas of mahAbhArata, to the twice-borns, O the bull of the bharata race, clearly pronouncing each letter and words with proper sound.
bhuktavatsu dvijendreShu yathAvatsaMpradApayet |
vAchakaM bharatashreShTha bhojayitvA svalaMkR^itam ||3-132-86
After the indras of the twice-borns have taken their food, O the bull of the bharata race! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) The reciter shall be offered food and be decorated (given tribute).
vAchake parituShTe tu shubhA prItiranuttamA |
brAhmaNeShu cha tuShTeShu prasannAH sarvadevatAH ||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 bharaNaM kAryaM dvijAnAM bharatarShabha |
sarvakAmairyathAnyAyaM sAdubhishcha yathAkramam ||3-132-88
O the bull of the bharata race! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) Hence the brahmins shall be pleased in order by offering them all kinds of best items they desire as required.
ityeSha vidhiruddiShTo mayA te dvipadAM vara |
shraddadhAnena vai bhAvyaM yanmAM tvaM paripR^ichChasi ||3-132-89
O the best among those having two legs (men)! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) Thus I have told you the procedure of reciting mahAbharata and harivaMsha . Listen with attention! You had asked me about this.
bhAratashravaNe rAjanpAraNe cha nR^ipottama |
sadA yatnavatA bhAvyaM shreyastu paramichChatA ||3-132-90
O king! O the best among kings! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) The one who at most desires prosperity shall always make effort to hear mahAbhArata (with harivaMsha) and recite the same.
bhArataM shR^iNuyAnnityaM bhArataM parikIrtayet |
bhArataM bhavane yasya tasya hastagato jayaH ||3-132-91
mahAbhArata (with harivaMsha) shall be heard always. mahAbharata shall be recited always. The one having mahAbhArata at his home, has jaya in his hand.
bharataM paramaM puNyaM bhArataM vividhAH kathAH |
bhArataM sevyate devairbhArataM parikIrtayet ||3-132-92
mahAbhArata (with harivaMsha) is most auspicious. mahabhArata has many stories. Even the gods honour mahAbhArata and they praise mahAbharata.
bhArataM sarvashAstrANAmuttamaM bharatarShabha |
bhAratAtprApyate mokShastattvametadbravImi te ||3-132-93
O the bull of the bharata race! ( O janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) mahAbhArata is the best among all treatises. Liberation is attained with the recital of mahAbhArata. I am telling you the principle (truth).
mahAbhAratamAkhyAnaM kShitiM gAM cha sarasvatIM |
brAhmaNaM keshavaM chApi kIrtayannAvasIdati ||3-132-94
The one who praises the story of mahAbharata, earth, cows and the goddess sarasvati, brahmins, keshava (kR^iShNa) shall never face any difficulty.
vede rAmAyaNe puNye bhArate bharatarShabha |
Adau chAnte cha madhye cha hariH sarvatra gIyate ||3-132-95
O the bull of bharata race! (janamejaya! vaishampAyana continued) In veda, rAmAyaNa as well as the meritorious mahAbhArata, in the beginning, end as well as middle, hari (viShNu) is praised everywhere.
yatra viShNukathA divyAH shrutayashcha sanAtanAH |
tachChrotavyaM manuShyeNa paraM padamihechChatA ||3-132-96
The person who desires the most high position in this world shall hear mahAbhArata, having the divine story of viShNu and the eternal oral knowledge.
etatpavitraM paramametaddharmanidarshanam |
etatsarvaguNopetaM shrotavyaM bhUtimichChatA ||3-132-97
mahAbhArata is most auspicious. mahAbhArata indicates the path of dharma. mahAbhArata is endowed with all good qualities. The person who desires prosperity shall hear mahAbhArata.
kriyate.asArasaMsAre vA~nChitasyaiva kAraNam |
harivaMshasya shravaNamiti dvaipayano.abravIt ||3-132-98
dvaipAyana (vyAsa) says that in this worthless world of mundane existence, hearing harivaMsha shall achieve all desires.
ashvamedhasahasreNa vAjapeyashataistathA |
yatphalaM prApyate puMbhistaddharervaMshapAraNAt ||3-132-99
By reciting harivaMsha one obtains the result of performing one thousand horse sacrifices and one hundred vAjapeya sacrifices.
    ajaramamaramekaM dhyeyamAdyantashUnyaM
        saguNamaguNamAdyaM sthUlamatyantasUkShmam |
    nirupamamanumeyaM yoginAM j~nAnagamyaM
        tribhuvanagurumIshaM tvAM prapanno.asmi viShNo ||3-132-100
O viShNu! 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 durgANi sarvo bhadrANi pashyatu |
sarveShAM vA~nChitA arthA bhavantvasya cha pAraNAt ||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 shrImahAbhArate khileShu harivaMshe bhaviShyaparvaNi [sarvaparvAnukIrtane] shravaNaphalakathane dvAtriMshadadhikashatatamo.adhyAyaH
This is one hundred and thirtysecond lesson of bhaviShyaparva, harivaMsha, khila of mahAbharata, 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 chaiva, Gita Press edition has vyAsaM
    nIlakaNTha commentary
iti shrImahAbharate khileShu harivaMshe bhaviShyaparvaNi TIkAyAM shravaNaphalaM nAma dvAtriMshadadhikashatatamo.adhyAyaH |
##i-translated by G. Schaufelberger, schaufel @ wanadoo.fr February 7 2009
Proof-read by K S Rmachandran, ramachandran_ksr @ yahoo.ca.
shlokas 132-14 to 132-74 taken from gangavishnu edition, since corresponding pages are missing in the scanned chitrashala edition.
If you find any errors compared to Chitrashala Press edition, send corrections to A. Harindranath harindranath_a @ yahoo.com
Translated to English by A. Purushothaman [purushothaman_avaroth @ yahoo.com] and A. Harindranath
September 7, 2013##