SRI SUKA REPLIES PARIKSHIT

(Sutha narrated the story of Bhagavatha to vaisampayana and others, the way it was told to Parikshit by Sri Suka)

 Sri Suka continued the story thus:

 Vidura was the uncle of Pandavas.  He had left the capital Hasthina on a piligrimage even before the great war of Mahabharatha began.  On his way, while he was passing through a forest, he found the hermit Maithreya there.  First he prostrated before him and then he sat there with his permission.  He asked Maithreya “Sir, Sri Krishna is revered by the kings and saints alike.  Such a great man when he visited Hasthina as an emissary of Pandavas, could have stayed in the Kourava’s palace.  Instead he had chosen to stay with me.  I wonder what could have been the reason for this”.

 Parikshit intervened and asked Sri Suka “Before we proceed further with the story, kindly tell us why Vidura had left Hasthina before the great war began”.

 Sri Suka replied “I know that this question will come up.  Let me first tell you the story of Mahabharatha for better appreciation”.

 He then started narrating the story of Mahabharatha…………..