Sage Vaishampayana: Traditional Narrator of the Mahabharata

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Traditionally Vaishampayana is the narrator of the Mahabharata, one of the two great Sanskrit epics of India (other being the Ramayana). Vaishampayana was the pupil of sage Vyasa who is said to have authored the Mahabharata. 

It was at a great sacrifice (sarpa satra or snake sacrifice ) held by the Kuru King Janamejaya that sage Vaishampayana recited the Mahabharata in public for the first time.  

Janamejaya was the great grandson of Arjuna of the Mahabharata fame. 

 

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