Verse 1

अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।किरातेशस्य सुरघोर्वृत्तान्तं विस्मयास्पदम्

In plain words

Śrī Vasiṣṭha said: On this very point they tell this ancient itihāsa: the story of Suraghu, lord of the Kirātas, a thing that is an abode of wonder.