The Mahabharata, of ,Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa ,BOOK 2 (Digvijaya Parva), SECTION XXX

  The Mahabharata, of ,Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa ,BOOK 2  (Digvijaya Parva)

SECTION XXX

Vaisampayana said,--"thus also Sahadeva, dismissed with affection by king

Yudhisthira the just, marched towards the southern direction accompanied

by a mighty host. Strong in strength, that mighty prince of the Kuru

race, vanquishing completely at the outset the Surasenas, brought the

king of Matsya under his sway. And the hero then, defeating Dantavakra,

the mighty king of the Adhirajas and making him pay tribute,

re-established him on his throne. The prince then brought under his sway

Sukumara and then king Sumitra, and he next vanquished the other Matsyas

and then the Patacharas. Endued with great intelligence, the Kuru warrior

then conquered soon enough the country of the Nishadas and also the high

hill called Gosringa, and that lord of earth called Srenimat. And

subjugating next the country called Navarashtra, the hero marched against

Kuntibhoja, who with great willingness accepted the sway of the

conquering hero. And marching thence to the banks of the Charmanwati, the

Kuru warrior met the son of king Jamvaka, who had, on account of old

hostilities, been defeated before by Vasudeva. O Bharata, the son of

Jamvaka gave battle to Sahadeva. And Sahadeva defeating the prince

marched towards the south. The mighty warrior then vanquished the Sekas

and others, and exacted tributes from them and also various kinds of gems

and wealth. Allying himself with the vanquished tribes the prince then

marched towards the countries that lay on the banks of the Narmada. And

defeating there in battle the two heroic kings of Avanti, called Vinda

and Anuvinda, supported by a mighty host, the mighty son of the twin gods

exacted much wealth from them. After this the hero marched towards the

town of Bhojakata, and there, O king of unfading glory, a fierce

encounter took place between him and the king of that city for two whole

days. But the son of Madri, vanquishing the invincible Bhismaka, then

defeated in battle the king of Kosala and the ruler of the territories

lying on the banks of the Venwa, as also the Kantarakas and the kings of

the eastern Kosalas. The hero then defeating both the Natakeyas and the

Heramvaks in battle, and subjugating the country of Marudha, reduced

Munjagrama by sheer strength. And the son of Pandu then vanquished the

mighty monarchs of the Nachinas and the Arvukas and the various forest

king of that part of the country. Endued with great strength the hero

then reduced to subjection king Vatadhipa. And defeating in battle the

Pulindas, the hero then marched southward. And the younger brother of

Nakula then fought for one whole day with the king of Pandrya. The

long-armed hero having vanquished that monarch marched further to the

south. And then he beheld the celebrated caves of Kishkindhya and in that

region fought for seven days with the monkey-kings Mainda and Dwivida.

Those illustrious kings however, without being tired an the encounter,

were gratified with Sahadeva. And joyfully addressing the Kuru prince,

they said,--'O tiger among the sons of Pandu, go hence, taking with the

tribute from us all. Let the mission of the king Yudhishthira the just

possessed of great intelligence, be accomplished without hindrance. And

taking jewels and gems from them all, the hero marched towards the city

of Mahishmati, and there that bull of men did battle with king Nila. The

battle that took place between king Nila and the mighty Sahadeva the son

of Pandu, that slayer of hostile heroes, was fierce and terrible. And the

encounter was an exceedingly bloody one, and the life of the hero himself

was exposed to great risk, for the god Agni himself assisted king Nila in

that fight. Then the cars, heroes, elephants, and the soldiers in their

coats of mail of Sahadeva's army all appeared to be on fire. And

beholding this the prince of the Kuru race became exceedingly anxious.

And, O Janamejaya, at sight of this the hero could not resolve upon what

he should do.

Janamejaya said,--O regenerate one, why was it that the god Agni become

hostile in battle unto Sahadeva, who was fighting simply for the

accomplishment of a sacrifice (and therefore, for the gratification of

Agni himself)?

Vaisampayana said,--'It is said, O Janamejaya, that the god Agni while

residing in Mahishmati, earned the reputation of a lover. King Nila had a

daughter who was exceedingly beautiful. She used always to stay near the

sacred fire of her father, causing it to blaze up with vigour. And it so

happened that king Nila's fire, even if fanned, would not blaze up till

agitated by the gentle breath of that girl's fair lips. And it was said

in King Nila's palace and in the house of all his subjects that the god

Agni desired that beautiful girl for his bride. And it so happened that

he was accepted by the girl herself. One day the deity assuming the form

of a Brahmana, was happily enjoying the society of the fair one, when he

was discovered by the king. And the virtuous king thereupon ordered the

Brahmana to be punished according to law. At this the illustrious deity

flamed up in wrath. And beholding this, the king wondered much and bent

his head low on the ground. And after some time the king bowing low

bestowed the daughter of his upon the god Agni, disguised as a Brahmana.

And the god Vibhabasu (Agni) accepting that fair-browed daughter of king

Nila, became gracious unto that monarch. And Agni, the illustrious

gratifier of all desires also asked the monarch to beg a boon of him. And

the king begged that his troops might never be struck with panic while

engaged in battle. And from that time, O king, those monarchs who from

ignorance of this, desire to subjugate king Nila's city, are consumed by

Hutasana (Agni). And from that time, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, the

girls of the city of Mahishmati became rather unacceptable to others (as

wives). And Agni by his boon granted them sexual liberty, so that the

women of that town always roam about at will, each unbound to a

particular husband. And, O bull of the Bharata race, from that time the

monarchs (of other countries) forsake this city for fear of Agni. And the

virtuous Sahadeva, beholding his troops afflicted with fear and

surrounded by flames of fire, himself stood there immovable as a

mountain. And purifying himself and touching water, the hero (Sahadeva)

then addressed Agni, the god that sanctifieth everything, in these

words,--

'I bow unto thee, O thou whose track is always marked with smoke. These

my exertions are all for thee. O thou sanctifier of all, thou art the

mouth of the gods and thou art Sacrifice personified. Thou art called

Pavaka because thou sanctifiest everything, and thou art Havyavahana,

because thou carriest the clarified butter that is poured on thee. The

Veda have sprung for ministering unto thee, and, therefore, thou art

called Jataveda. Chief of the gods as thou art, thou art called

Chitrabhanu, Anala, Vibhavasu, Hutasana, Jvalana, Sikhi, Vaiswanara,

Pingesa, Plavanga, Bhuritejah. Thou art he from whom Kumara (Kartikeya)

had his origin; thou art holy; thou art called Rudragarva and

Hiranyakrit. Let thee, O Agni, grant me energy, let Vayu grant me life,

let Earth grant me nourishment and strength, and let Water grant me

prosperity. O Agni, thou who art the first cause of the waters, thou who

art of great purity, thou for ministering unto whom the Vedas have

sprung, thou who art the foremost of the deities, thou who art their

mouth, O purify me by thy truth. Rishis and Brahmanas, Deities and Asuras

pour clarified butter every day, according to the ordinance into thee

during sacrifices. Let the rays of truth emanating from thee, while thou

exhibitest thyself in those sacrifices, purify me. Smoke-bannered as thou

art and possessed of flames, thou great purifier from all sins born of

Vayu and ever present as thou art in all creatures, O purify me by the

rays of thy truth. Having cleansed myself thus cheerfully, O exalted one,

do I pray unto thee. O Agni, grant me now contentment and prosperity, and

knowledge and gladness.

Vaisampayana continued.--'He that will pour clarified butter into Agni

reciting these mantras, will ever be blessed with prosperity, and having

his soul under complete control will also be cleansed from all his sins.

"Sahadeva, addressing Agni again, said,--'O carrier of the sacrificial

libations, it behoveth thee not to obstruct a sacrifice!' Having said

this, that tiger among men--the son of Madri--spreading some kusa grass

on earth sat down in expectation of the (approaching) fire and in front

of those terrified and anxious troops of his. And Agni, too, like the

ocean that never transgresseth its continents, did not pass over his

head. On the other hand approaching Sahadeva quietly and addressing that

prince of the Kuru race, Agni that god of men gave him every assurance

and said,--'O thou of the Kuru race, rise up from this posture. O rise

up, I was only trying thee. I know all thy purpose, as also those of the

son of Dharma (Yudhisthira). But, O best of the Bharata race, as long as

there is a descendant of king Nila's line, so long should this town be

protected by me. I will, however O son of Pandu, gratify the desires of

thy heart. And at these words of Agni, O bull of the Bharata race, the

son of Madri rose up with a cheerful heart, and joining his hands and

bending his head worshipped that god of fire, sanctifier of all beings.

And at last, after Agni had disappeared, king Nila came there, and at the

command of that deity, worshipped with due rites Sahadeva, that tiger

among men--that master of battle. And Sahadeva accepted that worship and

made him pay tribute. And having brought king Nila under his sway thus,

the victorious son of Madri then went further towards the south. The

long-armed hero then brought the king of Tripura of immeasurable energy

under his sway. And next turning his forces against the Paurava kingdom,

he vanquished and reduced to subjection the monarch thereof. And the

prince, after this, with great efforts brought Akriti, the king of

Saurashtra and preceptor of the Kausikas under his sway. The virtuous

prince, while staying in the kingdom of Saurashtra sent an ambassador

unto king Rukmin of Bhishmaka within the territories of Bhojakata, who,

rich in possessions and intelligence, was the friend of Indra himself.

And the monarch along with his son, remembering their relationship with

Krishna, cheerfully accepted, O king, the sway of the son of Pandu. And

the master of battle then, having exacted jewels and wealth from king

Rukmin, marched further to the south. And, endued with great energy and

great strength, the hero then, reduced to subjection, Surparaka and

Talakata, and the Dandakas also. The Kuru warrior then vanquished and

brought under his subjection numberless kings of the Mlechchha tribe

living on the sea coast, and the Nishadas and the cannibals and even the

Karnapravarnas, and those tribes also called the Kalamukhas who were a

cross between human beings and Rakshasas, and the whole of the Cole

mountains, and also Surabhipatna, and the island called the Copper

island, and the mountain called Ramaka. The high-souled warrior, having

brought under subjection king Timingila, conquered a wild tribe known by

the name of the Kerakas who were men with one leg. The son of Pandu also

conquered the town of Sanjayanti and the country of the Pashandas and the

Karahatakas by means of his messengers alone, and made all of them pay

tributes to him. The hero brought under his subjection and exacted

tributes from the Paundrayas and the Dravidas along with the Udrakeralas

and the Andhras and the Talavanas, the Kalingas and the Ushtrakarnikas,

and also the delightful city of Atavi and that of the Yavanas. And, O

king of kings, that slayer of all foes, the virtuous and intelligent son

of Madri having arrived at the sea-shore, then despatched with great

assurance messengers unto the illustrious Vibhishana, the grandson of

Pulastya. And the monarch willingly accepted the sway of the son of

Pandu, for that intelligent and exalted king regarded it all as the act

of Time. And he sent unto the son of Pandu diverse kinds of jewels and

gems, and sandal and also wood, and many celestial ornaments, and much

costly apparel, and many valuable pearls. And the intelligent Sahadeva,

accepting them all, returned to his own kingdom.

"Thus it was, O king, that slayer of all foes, having vanquished by

conciliation and war numerous kings and having also made them pay

tribute, came back to his own city. The bull of the Bharata race, having

presented the whole of that wealth unto king Yudhisthira the just

regarded himself, O Janamejaya, as crowned with success and continued to

live happily."

SECTION XXXI

Vaisampayana said,--"I shall now recite to you the deeds and triumphs of

Nakula, and how that exalted one conquered the direction that had once

been subjugated by Vasudeva. The intelligent Nakula, surrounded by a

large host, set out from Khandavaprastha for the west, making this earth

tremble with the shouts and the leonine roars of the warriors and the

deep rattle of chariot wheels. And the hero first assailed the

mountainous country called Rohitaka that was dear unto (the celestial

generalissimo) Kartikeya and which was delightful and prosperous and full

of kine and every kind of wealth and produce. And the encounter the son

of Pandu had with the Mattamyurakas of that country was fierce. And the

illustrious Nakula after this, subjugated the whole of the desert country

and the region known as Sairishaka full of plenty, as also that other one

called Mahetta. And the hero had a fierce encounter with the royal sage

Akrosa. And the son of Pandu left that part of the country having

subjugated the Dasarnas, the Sivis, the Trigartas, the Amvashtas, the

Malavas, the five tribes of the Karnatas, and those twice born classes

that were called the Madhyamakeyas and Vattadhanas. And making circuitous

journey that bull among men then conquered the (Mlechcha) tribes called

the Utsava-sanketas. And the illustrious hero soon brought under

subjection the mighty Gramaniya that dwelt on the shore of the sea, and

the Sudras and the Abhiras that dwelt on the banks of the Saraswati, and

all those tribes that lived upon fisheries, and those also that dwelt on

the mountains, and the whole of the country called after the five rivers,

and the mountains called Amara, and the country called Uttarayotisha and

the city of Divyakutta and the tribe called Dwarapala. And the son of

Pandu, by sheer force, reduced to subjection the Ramathas, the Harahunas,

and various kings of the west. And while staying there Nakula sent. O

Bharata, messengers unto Vasudeva. And Vasudeva with all the Yadavas

accepted his sway. And the mighty hero, proceeding thence to Sakala, the

city of the Madras, made his uncle Salya accept from affection the sway

of the Pandavas. And, O monarch, the illustrious prince deserving the

hospitality and entertainment at his uncle's hands, was well entertained

by his uncle. And skilled in war, the prince, taking from Salya a large

quantity of jewels and gems, left his kingdom. And the son of Pandu then

reduced to subjection the fierce Mlechchas residing on the sea coast, as

also the wild tribes of the Palhavas, the Kiratas, the Yavanas, and the

Sakas. And having subjugated various monarchs, and making all of them pay

tributes, Nakula that foremost of the Kurus, full of resources, retraced

his way towards his own city. And, O king, so great was the treasure

which Nakula brought that ten thousand camels could carry it with

difficulty on their backs. And arriving at Indraprastha, the heroic and

fortunate son of Madri presented the whole of that wealth unto

Yudhishthira.

"Thus, O king, did Nakula subjugate the countries that lay to the

west--the direction that is presided over by the god Varuna, and that had

once before been subjugated by Vasudeva himself!"

SECTION XXXII

(Rajasuyika Parva)

Vaisampayana said,--"in consequence of the protection afforded by

Yudhisthira the just, and of the truth which he ever cherished in his

behaviour, as also of the check under which he kept all foes, the

subjects of that virtuous monarch were all engaged in their respective

avocations. And by reason of the equitable taxation and the virtuous rule

of the monarch, clouds in his kingdom poured as much rain as the people

desired, and the cities and the town became highly prosperous. Indeed as

a consequence of the monarch's acts; every affair of the kingdom,

especially cattle bleeding, agriculture and trade prospered highly. O

king, during those days even robbers and cheats never spoke lies amongst

themselves, nor they that were the favourites of the monarch. There were

no droughts and floods and plagues and fires and premature deaths in

those days of Yudhishthira devoted to virtue. And it was only for doing

agreeable services, or for worshipping, or for offering tributes that

would not impoverish, that other kings used to approach Yudhisthira (and

not for hostility or battle.) The large treasure room of the king became

so much filled with hoards of wealth virtuously obtained that it could

not be emptied even in a hundred years. And the son of Kunti,

ascertaining the state of his treasury and the extent of his possessions,

fixed his heart upon the celebration of a sacrifice. His friends and

officers, each separately and all together, approaching him said,--'The

time hath come, O exalted one, for thy sacrifice. Let arrangements,

therefore, be made without loss of time.' While they were thus talking,

Hari (Krishna), that omniscient and ancient one, that soul of the Vedas,

that invincible one as described by those that have knowledge, that

foremost of all lasting existences in the universe, that origin of all

things, as also that in which all things come to be dissolved, that lord

of the past, the future, and the present Kesava--the slayer of Kesi, and

the bulwark of all Vrishnis and the dispeller of all fear in times of

distress and the smiter of all foes, having appointed Vasudeva to the

command of the (Yadava) army, and bringing with him for the king

Yudhishthira just a large mass of treasure; entered that excellent city

of cities. Khandava, himself surrounded by a mighty host and filling the

atmosphere with the rattle of his chariot-wheels. And Madhava, that tiger

among men enhancing that limitless mass of wealth the Pandavas had by

that inexhaustible ocean of gems he had brought, enhanced the sorrows of

the enemies of the Pandavas. The capital of the Bharata was gladdened by

Krishna's presence just as a dark region is rendered joyful by the sun or

a region of still air by a gentle breeze. Approaching him joyfully and

receiving him with due respect, Yudhishthira enquired of his welfare. And

after Krishna had been seated at ease, that bull among men, the son of

Pandu, with Dhaumya and Dwaipayana and the other sacrificial priests and

with Bhima and Arjuna and the twins, addressed Krishna thus,--

'O Krishna it is for thee that the whole earth is under my sway. And, O

thou of the Vrishni race, it is through thy grace that vast wealth had

been got by me. And, O son of Devaki, O Madhava, I desire to devote that

wealth according to the ordinance, unto superior Brahmanas and the

carrier of sacrificial libations. And, O thou of the Dasarha race, it

behoveth thee, O thou of mighty arms, to grant me permission to celebrate

a sacrifice along with thee and my younger brothers. Therefore, O

Govinda, O thou of long arms, install thyself at that sacrifice; for, O

thou of the Dasarha race, if thou performed the sacrifice, I shall be

cleansed of sin. Or, O exalted one, grant permission for myself being

installed at the sacrifice along with these my younger brothers, for

permitted by thee, O Krishna. I shall be able to enjoy the fruit of an

excellent sacrifice.

Vaisampayana continued,--"Unto Yudhisthira after he had said this,

Krishna, extolling his virtues, said.--'Thou, O tiger among kings,

deservest imperial dignity. Let, therefore, the great sacrifice be

performed by thee. And if thou performest that sacrifice an obtainest its

fruit we all shall regard ourselves as crowned with success. I am always

engaged in seeking good. Perform thou then the sacrifice thou desirest.

Employ me also in some office for that purpose, for I should obey all thy

commands. Yudhisthira replied--O Krishna, my resolve is already crowned

with fruit, and success also is surely mine, when thou, O Harishikesa,

hast arrived here agreeably to my wish!'

Vaisampayana continued,--"Commanded by Krishna, the son of Pandu along

with his brothers set himself upon collecting the materials for the

performance of the Rajasuya sacrifice. And that chastiser of all foes,

the son of Pandu, then commanded Sahadeva that foremost of all warriors

and all ministers also, saying,--Let persons be appointed to collect

without loss of time, all those articles which the Brahmanas have

directed as necessary for the performance of this sacrifice, and all

materials and auspicious necessaries that Dhaumya may order as required

for it, each of the kind needed and one after another in due order. Let

Indrasena and Visoka and Puru with Arjuna for his charioteer be engaged

to collect food if they are to please me. Let these foremost of the Kurus

also gather every article of agreeable taste and smell that may delight

and attract the hearts of the Brahmanas.'

"Simultaneously with these words of king Yudhisthira the just, Sahadeva

that foremost of warriors, having accomplished everything, represented

the matter to the king. And Dwaipayana, O king, then appointed as

sacrificial priests exalted Brahmanas that were like the Vedas themselves

in embodied forms. The son of Satyavati became himself the Brahma of that

sacrifice. And that bull of the Dhananjaya race, Susaman, became the

chanter of the Vedic (Sama) hymns. Yajnavalkya devoted to Brahma became

the Adhyaryu, and Paila--the son of Vasu and Dhaumya became the Hotris.

And O bull of the Bharata race, the disciples and the sons of these men,

all well-acquainted with the Vedas and the branches of the Vedas, became

Hotragts. And all of them, having uttered benedictions and recited the

object of the sacrifice, worshipped, according to the ordinance the large

sacrificial compound. Commanded by the Brahmanas, builders and artificers

erected numerous edifices there that were spacious and well-perfumed like

unto the temples of the gods. After these were finished, that best of

kings and that bull among men Yudhishthira. commanded his chief adviser

Sahadeva, saying,--'Despatch thou, without loss of time, messengers

endued with speed to invite all to the sacrifice. And Sahadeva, hearing

these words of the king, despatched messengers telling them,--'Invite ye

all the Brahmanas in the kingdom and all the owners of land (Kshatriyas)

and all the Vaisyas and also all the respectable Sudras, and bring them

hither!'

Vaisampayana continued,--"Endued with speed, these messengers then, thus

commanded, invited everybody according to the orders of the Pandava,

without losing any time, and brought with them many persons, both friends

and strangers. Then, O Bharata, the Brahmanas at the proper time

installed Yudhishthira the son of Kunti at the Rajasuya sacrifice. And

after the ceremony of installation was over, that foremost of men, the

virtuous king Yudhishthira the just like the god Dharma himself in human

frame, entered the sacrificial compound, surrounded by thousands of

Brahmanas and his brothers and the relatives and friends and counsellors,

and by a large number of Kshatriya kings who had come from various

countries, and by the officers of State. Numerous Brahmanas, well-skilled

in all branches of knowledge and versed in the Vedas and their several

branches, began to pour in from various countries. Thousands of

craftsmen, at the command of king Yudhishthira the just, erected for

those Brahmanas with their attendants separate habitations well-provided

with food and clothes and the fruits and flowers of every season. And, O

king, duly worshipped by the monarch the Brahmanas continued to reside

there passing their time in conversation on diverse topics and beholding

the performances of actors and dancers. And the clamour of high-souled

Brahmanas, cheerfully eating and talking, was heard there without

intermission. 'Give,' and 'Eat' were the words that were heard there

incessantly and every day. And, O Bharata, king Yudhishthira the just

gave unto each of those Brahmanas thousands of kine and beds and gold

coins and damsels.

Thus commenced on earth the sacrifice of that unrivalled hero, the

illustrious son of Pandu, like the sacrifice in heaven of Sakra himself.

Then that bull among men, king Yudhishthira despatched Nakula the son of

Pandu unto Hastinapura to bring Bhishma and Drona, Dhritarashtra and

Vidura and Kripa and those amongst his cousins that were well-disposed

towards him."

SECTION XXXIII

Vaisampayana said,--"the ever-victorious Nakula, the son of Pandu, having

reached Hastinapura, formally invited Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. The

elder of the Kuru race with the preceptor at their head, invited with due

ceremonies, came with joyous hearts to that sacrifice, with Brahmanas

walking before them. And, O hull of the Bharata race, having heard of

king Yudhishthira's sacrifice, hundreds of other Kshatriyas acquainted

with the nature of the sacrifice, with joyous hearts came there from

various countries, desiring to behold king Yudhishthira the son of Pandu

and his sacrificial mansion, and brought with them many costly jewels of

various kinds. And Dhritarashtra and Bhishma and Vidura of high

intelligence; and all Kaurava brothers with Duryyodhana at their head;

and Suvala the king of Gandhara and Sakuni endued with great strength;

and Achala, and Vrishaka, and Karna that foremost of all charioteers; and

Salya endued with great might and the strong Valhika; and Somadatta, and

Bhuri of the Kuru race, and Bhurisravas and Sala; and Aswatthama, Kripa,

Drona, and Jayadratha, the ruler of Sindhu; and Yajnasena with his sons,

and Salya that lord of earth and that great car warrior king Bhagadatta

of Pragjyotisha accompanied by all Mlechcha tribes inhabiting the marshy

regions on the sea-shore; and many mountain kings, and king Vrihadvala;

and Vasudeva the king of the Paundrayas, and the kings of Vanga and

Kalinga; and Akastha and Kuntala and the kings of the Malavas and the

Andhrakas; and the Dravidas and the Singhalas and the king of Kashmira,

and king Kuntibhoja of great energy and king Gauravahana, and all the

other heroic kings of Valhika; and Virata with his two sons, and Mavella

endued with great might; and various kings and princes ruling in various

countries; and, O Bharata king Sisupala endued with great energy and

invincible in battle accompanied by his son--all of them came to the

sacrifice of the son of Pandu. And Rama and Aniruddha and Kanaka and

Sarana; and Gada, Pradyumna, Shamva, and Charudeshna of great energy; and

Ulmuka and Nishatha and the brave Angavaha; and innumerable other

Vrishnis--all mighty car-warriors--came there.

"These and many other kings from the middle country came, O monarch, to

that great Rajasuya sacrifice of the son of Pandu. And, O king, at the

command of king Yudhishthira the just, mansions were assigned to all

those monarchs, that were full of various kinds of edibles and adorned

with tanks and tall trees. And the son of Dharma worshipped all those

illustrious monarchs as they deserved. Worshipped by the king they

retired to mansions that were assigned to them. Those mansions were

(white and high) like the cliffs of Kailasa, and delightful to behold,

and furnished with every kind of furniture. They were enclosed on all

sides with well-built and high white-washed walls; their windows were

covered with net-works of gold and their interiors were furnished with

rows of pearls, their flights of stairs were easy of ascent and the

floors were all laid over with costly carpets. They were all hung over

with garlands of flowers and perfumed with excellent aloes. White as snow

or the moon, they looked extremely handsome even from the distance of a

yojana. Their doors and entrances were set uniformly and were wide enough

to admit a crowd of persons. Adorned with various costly articles and

built with various metals, they looked like peaks of the Himavat. Having

rested a while in those mansions the monarchs beheld king Yudhishthira

the just surrounded by numerous Sadasyas (sacrificial priests) and ever

performing sacrifices distinguished by large gifts to Brahmanas. That

sacrificial mansion wherein were present the kings and Brahmanas and

great Rishis looked, O king, as handsome as heaven itself crowded with

the gods!"

Thus ends the thirty-fourth section in the Rajasuyika Parva of the Sabha

Parva.

SECTION XXXIV

Vaisampayana said,--"then, O king, Yudhishthira, having approached and

worshipped his grandfather and his preceptor, addressed Bhishma and Drona

and Kripa and the son of Drona and Duryyodhana and Vivingsati, and

said,--'Help me ye all in the mater of this sacrifice. This large

treasure that is here is yours. Consult ye with one another and guide me

as ye desire.

"The eldest of the sons of Pandu, who had been installed at the

sacrifice, having said this unto all, appointed every one of them to

suitable offices. He appointed Dussasana to superintend the department of

food and other enjoyable articles. Aswatthama was asked to attend on the

Brahmanas. Sanjaya was appointed to offer return-worship unto the kings.

Bhishma and Drona, both endued with great intelligence, were appointed to

see what was done and what was left undone. And the king appointed Kripa

to look after the diamonds and gold and the pearls and gems, as also

after the distribution of gifts to Brahmanas. And so other tigers among

men were appointed to similar offices. Valhika and Dhritarashtra and

Somadatta and Jayadratha, brought thither by Nakula, went about, enjoying

themselves as lords of the sacrifice. Vidura otherwise called Kshatta,

conversant with every rule of morality, became the disburser. Duryyodhana

became the receiver of the tributes that were brought by the kings.

Krishna who was himself the centre of all worlds and round whom moved

every creature, desirous of acquiring excellent fruits, was engaged at

his own will in washing the feet of the Brahmanas.

"And desirous of beholding that sacrificial mansion, as also king

Yudhishthira the just, none came there with tribute less than a thousand

(in number, weight or measure). Everyone honoured the king Yudhishthira

the just with large presents of jewels. And each of the kings made a

present of his wealth, flattering himself with the proud belief that the

jewels he gave would enable the Kuru king Yudhisthira to complete his

sacrifice. And, O monarch, the sacrificial compound of the illustrious

son of Kunti looked extremely handsome--with the multitude of palaces

built so as to last for ever and crowded with guards and warriors. These

were so high that their tops touched the cars of the gods that came to

behold that sacrifice; as also with the cars themselves of the

celestials, and with the dwelling of the Brahmanas and the mansions made

there for the kings resembling the cars of the celestials and adorned

with gems and filled with every kind of wealth, and lastly with crowds of

the kings that came there all endued with beauty and wealth. Yudhisthira,

as though vying with Varuna himself in wealth, commenced the sacrifice

(of Rajasuya) distinguished by six fires and large gifts to Brahmanas.

The King gratified everybody with presents of great value and indeed with

every kind of object that one could desire. With abundance of rice and of

every kind of food, as also with a mass of jewels brought as tribute,

that vast concourse consisted of persons every one of whom was fed to the

full. The gods also were gratified at the sacrifice by the Ida, clarified

butter, Homa and libations poured by the great Rishis versed in mantras

and pronunciation. Like the gods, the Brahmanas also were gratified with

the sacrificial gifts and food and great wealth. And all the other orders

of men also were gratified at that sacrifice and filled with joy."

SECTION XXXV

(Arghyaharana Parva)

"Vaisampayana said,--On the last day of the sacrifice when the king was

to be sprinkled over with the sacred water, the great Brahmana Rishis

ever deserving of respectful treatment, along with the invited kings,

entered together the inner enclosure of the sacrificial compound. And

those illustrious Rishis with Narada as their foremost, seated at their

ease with those royal sages within that enclosure, looked like the gods

seated in the mansion of Brahma in the company of the celestial Rishis.

Endued with immeasurable energy those Rishis, having obtained leisure,

started various topics of conversation. 'This is so,' 'This is not so,'

'This is even so.' 'This cannot be otherwise,'--thus did many of them

engage in discussions with one another. Some amongst the disputants, by

well-chosen arguments made the weaker position appear the stronger and

the stronger the weaker. Some disputants endued with great intelligence

fell upon the position urged by others like hawks darting at meat thrown

up into the air, while some amongst them versed in the interpretations of

religious treatises and others of rigid vows, and well-acquainted with

every commentary and gloss engaged themselves in pleasant converse. And,

O king, that platform crowded with gods, Brahmanas and great Rishis

looked extremely handsome like the wide expanse of the firmament studded

with stars. O monarch, there was then no Sudra near that platform of

Yudhisthira's mansion, nor anybody that was without vows.

"And Narada, beholding the fortunate Yudhisthira's prosperity that was

born of that sacrifice, became highly gratified. Beholding that vast

concourse all the Kshatriyas, the Muni Narada, O king of men, became

thoughtful. And, O bull amongst men, the Rishi began to recollect the

words he had heard of old in the mansion of Brahma regarding the

incarnation on earth of portions of every deity. And knowing, O son of

the Kuru race, that that was a concourse (of incarnate) gods, Narada

thought in his mind of Hari with eyes like lotus-petals. He knew that

that creator himself of every object one, that exalted of all

gods--Narayana--who had formerly commanded the celestials, saying,--'Be

ye born on earth and slay one another and come back to heaven'--that

slayer of all the enemies of the gods, that subjugator of all hostile

towns, in order to fulfil his own promise, had been born in the Kshatriya

order. And Narada knew that the exalted and holy Narayana, also called

Sambhu the lord of the universe, having commanded all the celestials

thus, had taken his birth in the race of Yadus and that foremost of all

perpetuator of races, having sprung from the line of the Andhaka-Vrishnis

on earth was graced with great good fortune and was shining like the moon

herself among stars. Narada knew that Hari the grinder of foes, whose

strength of arm was ever praised by all the celestials with Indra among

them, was then living in the world in human form. Oh, the Self-Create

will himself take away (from the earth) this vast concourse of Kshatriyas

endued with so much strength. Such was the vision of Narada the

omniscient who knew Hari or Narayana to be that Supreme Lord whom

everybody worshipped with sacrifice. And Narada, gifted with great

intelligence and the foremost of all persons and conversant with

morality, thinking of all this, sat at that sacrifice of the wise king

Yudhisthira the just with feelings of awe.

"Then Bhishma, O king, addressing king Yudhisthira the just, said, "O

Bharata, let Arghya (an article of respect) be offered unto the kings as

each of them deserveth. Listen, O Yudhishthira, the preceptor, the

sacrificial priest, the relative, the Snataka, the friend, and the king,

it hath been said are the six that deserve Arghya. The wise have said

that when any of these dwell with one for full one year he deserveth to

be worshipped with Arghya. These kings have been staying with us for some

time. Therefore, O king, let Arghyas be procured to be offered unto each

of them. And let an Arghya be presented first of all unto him among those

present who is the foremost.

"Hearing these words of Bhishma, Yudhishthira said--'O Grandsire, O thou

of the Kuru race, whom thou deemest the foremost amongst these and unto

whom the Arghya should be presented by us, O tell me.'

"Vaisampayana continued,--Then, O Bharata, Bhishma the son of Santanu,

judged it by his intelligence that on earth Krishna was the foremost of

all. And he said--'As is the sun among all luminous objects, so is the

one (meaning Krishna) (who shines like the sun) among us all, in

consequence of his energy, strength and prowess. And this our sacrificial

mansion is illuminated and gladdened by him as a sunless region by the

sun, or a region of still air by a gust of breeze. Thus commanded by

Bhishma, Sahadeva endued with great prowess duly presented the first

Arghya of excellent ingredients unto Krishna of the Vrishni race. Krishna

also accepted it according to the forms of the ordinance. But Sisupala

could not bear to see that worship offered unto Vasudeva. And this mighty

king of Chedi, reproving in the midst of that assembly both Bhishma and.

Yudhishthira, censured Vasudeva thereafter."