The deer was in fact the son of a Rishi. He had taken the form of a deer to be intimate with his wife. At that moment Pāndu shot the arrow that fatally wounded both of them. The deer taught Dharma to Pāndu at his dying moments. He reminded Pāndu that humans do not kill even their enemies if they are unarmed and unprepared. Therefore, killing the deer in their moment of intimacy is worse; as they were engaging in a dhārmic act and that Pāndu should have waited.

Vaisampayana narrates a quick summary of Mahabharata in Ams’avatarana Parva to Janamejaya.

Janamejaya is not satisfied with the short version and requests the full version of Mahabharata. He poses seven questions to Vaisampayana -Why are Pandavas celebrated for killing their Gurus and relatives, Why did Pandavas stay quiet when Duryodhana was inflicting pains on them, Why did the powerful Bhima tolerate the insults, Why did Draupadi who was born out of Yajna power not destroy her tormentors with her power and reduce them to ashes, Why did Pandavas obey Yudishtira even when he was a slave to the evil habit of gambling, Why did Yudishtira suffer, Why did the fearless Arjuna go through such travails?

Vaisampayana then began the narration of the full Mahabharata and described the greatness of Mahabharata to Janamejaya.

The possibility of Kashyapa reviving the King Parikshit was resolved when Takshaka convinced him to turn back. Following this, the snake-brothers disguised themselves as learned Brahmins. They took juicy fruits as gifts to the King. Unknowingly, the King accepted these fruits. Takshaka was hiding as a worm inside one of the fruits, which the King unfortunately chose to eat.

Mādrī invoked Aśvinīkumāras. They blessed Mādrī with twins, Nakula and Sahadeva. Nakula means one who invokes dread among enemies. Sahadeva means one who is amicable with everyone.

Vaisampayana heard Mahabharata from Vyasa (1st). Ugrashravas heard the narration of Vaisampayana to Janamejaya (2nd). Saunaka and other Rishis heard it from Ugrashravas (3rd). This is the version that we hear and read.

When Vasuki approached the sage Jaratkaru and offered his sister in marriage, the sage agreed, but specified two conditions: he would not take care of his wife, and she should not disobey him. Vasuki had no choice but to agree. Jaratkaru informed his wife of the conditions after the marriage. She also could not disagree, as that would constitute disobedience, causing him to leave.

The earth had been enveloped by poisonous plants. The ten sons of Prachētas burnt all the plants with the fire that emanated from their mouths. Their descendant is Daksha Prajāpati.

Devas overcame Asuras within one minute in a fight. This took place Naimisaranyam (Nimisha + Aranyam). This is mentioned in Varaha Purana.

Brahma once released a Chakra resembling Surya. The tip of the Chakra was called Naimi. The place where the tip struck was deemed most suited for Tapas. This struck Naimisaranyam. This is narrated in Vayu Puranam.

The version of Mahabharata narrated in Naimisaranya is what we hear now.

Sarpa Satra Yajna did not take place in Naimisaranyam.

The sacred cow Nandini was in the ashrama of Vashishta for the purposes of Yajna. The ashtavasus were in the vicinity of the ashram with their wives. One of the ashtavasus was Dyaus (Prabhāsa). His wife desired Nandini so that her friend can come out of illness by drinking its milk. Dyaus stole the cow with the help of other Ashtavasus.

Vasiṣṭha realized who had stolen the cow and cursed the ashtavasus to be born in earth. When the ashtavasus begged for lenience, Vasiṣṭha granted that they can return within a year, except Dyaus. He would continue to remain in earth, but will be unmarried and will be a faithful son to his father.

King Dushyanta belonged to the illustrious Paurava dynasty. His rule was remembered for justice, prosperity, peace, and social harmony.