sh.

"'In the Vedas, in the Ramayana, and in the sacred Bharata, O chief of
Bharata's race, Hari is sung in the beginning, the middle, and at the end.
That in which occur excellent statements relating to Vishnu, and the
eternal Srutis, should be listened to by men desirous of attaining to the
highest goal. This treatise is sanctifying. This is the highest indicator
as regards duties; this is endued with every merit. One desirous of
prosperity should listen to it. Sins committed by means of the body, by
means of words, and by means of the mind, are all destroyed (through
listening to the Bharata) as Darkness at sunrise. One devoted to Vishnu
acquires (through this) that merit which is acquired by listening to the
eighteen Puranas. There is no doubt in this. Men and women (by listening
to this) would certainly attain to the status of Vishnu. Women desirous
of having children should certainly listen to this which proclaims the
fame of Vishnu. One desirous of attaining to the fruits that attach to a
recitation of the Bharata should, according to one's power, give unto the
reciter Dakshina, as also an honorarium in gold. One desirous of one's own
good should give unto the reciter a Kapila cow with horns cased in gold
and accompanied by her calf, covered with a cloth. Ornaments, O chief of
Bharatas race, for the arms, as also those for the ears, should be given.
Besides these, other kinds of wealth should be presented. Unto the
reciter, O king of men, gift of land should be made. No gift like that of
land could ever be or will be. The man that listens (to the Bharata) or
that recites it to other people, becomes cleansed of all his sins and
attains at last to the status of Vishnu. Such a man rescues his ancestors
to the eleventh degree, as also himself with his wives and sons, O chief
of Bharata's race. After concluding a recitation of the Bharata, one
should, O king, perform a Homa with all its ten parts.

"'I have thus, O chief of men, told everything in thy presence. He that
listens with devotion to this Bharata from the beginning becomes cleansed
of every sin even if he be guilty of Brahmanicide or the violation of his
preceptor's bed, or even if he be a drinker of alcohol or a robber of
other people's wares, or even if he be born in the Chandala order.
Destroying all his sins like the maker of day destroying darkness, such a
man, without doubt, sports in felicity in the region of Vishnu like
Vishnu himself.'"

The End o