considered an independent tale added to a version of the Mahabharata by “thematic attraction” (Minkowski 1991), and considered to have a particularly close connection to Vedic ( Brahmana ) literature. The Panchavimsha Brahmana (at 25.15.3) enumerates the officiant priests of a sarpasattra among whom the names Dhrtarashtra and Janamejaya, two main