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Mahabharata
Rajasuya Parva
Installation in the Rajasuya. Arrival of the invited guests. Commencement of the sacrifice.
Vaishampayana said:
Protected by Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) and supported by Truth and also all their enemies being kept in check, all subjects (of the Pandava king) were always engaged in their respective business.
In consequence of the equitable taxation and the virtuous and the just rule of the king, the clouds poured as much rain as desired, and the country became prosperous.
As the result of the king's (virtuous) acts every thing of the kingdom, specially the breeding of cattle, agriculture and trade, greatly flourished.
O king, even cheats and thieves, nay even the king's favourites, were never heard to speak lies amongst themselves.
During the reign of Yudhishthira, who was ever devote to virtue, there were no draughts, or floods, or plagues, or fires, or premature deaths.
The (other) kings used to come to him only for agreeable services, or for paying their respects to him, or for offering to him tribute that did not (any way) impoverish them. They never used to come for any other purpose (such as conquests).
The large treasury of the King became so much filled with the hoards of wealth virtuously obtained that it could not be emptied even in one hundred years.
Having ascertained the state of his treasury and the extent of his possessions, the son of Kunti (Yudhishthira) set his heart upon performing the (Rajasuya) sacrifice.
His friends and relatives all separately and jointly said, "O lord, the time for the sacrifice has come. Let it be now performed without delay."
When they were thus talking, there came that omniscient and ancient one, that soul of the Vedas, that invincible one as described by the learned, that foremost of all lasting existences in the universe, that origin of all things, that receptacle in which every thing is destroyed, that slayer of Keshi, Hari (Krishna).
Having appointed Vasudeva to the command of the army and having brought with him for Dharmaraja Yudhishthira a large amount of wealth, the bulwark of all the Vrishnis, the dispelled of all fears in danger, the grinder of all foes, that best of men, Madhava, entered the excellent city (Indraprastha), surrounded with a large army and filling, the atmosphere with the rattle of his chariot's wheels. The inexhaustible ocean of gems, that the Pandavas possessed.
Was brought to a full limit by the wealth that he (Krishna) brought, and thus all their (the Pandava's) griefs were removed. By the arrival of Krishna, the capital of the Bharata race was gladdened like a sunless region by the sun, or a region of still air by gentle breeze.
Coming to him with joy and receiving him with all dues respect, Yudhishthira asked him his welfare. When he (Krishna) was comfortably seated.
That best of men (Yudhishthira) with the Ritvikas, Dhaumya and Dvaipayana being at their head, and also with Bhima, Arjuna and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) thus spoke to Krishna.
Yudhishthira said:
O Krishna, it is for you that the whole earth has come under my sway. O descendant of the Vrishni race, it is through your favour that this vast wealth has been earned by me.
O Madhava, O son of Devaki, I desire to devote all this wealth to the Brahmanas and to the carrier of sacrificial libations (Agni) according to the ordinance.
O prince of the Dasarha race, O mighty armed hero, you should grant me permission to celebrate the Rajasuya sacrifice along with you and with my brothers.
O Govinda, O long-armed hero, O prince of the Dasarha race, install yourself in that sacrifice. If you perform the sacrifice, I shall be cleansed from sin.
O lord, O Krishna, grant permission to me that I may be installed in the sacrifice along with my these younger brothers, for if permitted by you, I shall be able to enjoy the fruit of that excellent sacrifice.
Vaishampayana said:
To him replied Krishna after extolling his many virtues.
Krishna said:
O best of kings, you deserve the imperial dignity. Let therefore the great (Rajasuya) sacrifice be performed. If you perform that sacrifice, and if you obtain its fruit, we shall all consider ourselves as crowned with success. I am always engaged in seeking your good. Perform the sacrifice you desire. Appoint me in some office in that sacrifice. I shall obey all your commands.
Yudhishthira said:
O Krishna, O Hrishikesha, when you have come here agreeably to my wish, my resolve is fulfilled; success is sure to come to my work.
Vaishampayana said:
Having been commanded by Krishna, the son of Pandu (Yudhishthira) with his brothers employed himself to collect the necessary materials for the Rajasuya (sacrifice).
That chastiser of foes, the son of Pandu (Yudhishthira), commanded that foremost of all warriors, Sahadeva, and also all his ministers, saying,
"Let men be appointed to collect without loss of time all those articles which the Brahmanas will direct as necessary for the performance of this sacrifice, and also all auspicious necessaries and things that Dhaumya may order to be collected; each of the king required and one after the other in due order.
Let Indrasena and Vishoka and the charioteer of Arjuna, Puru, if, they desire to please me, be employed in collecting them.
O best of the Kuru race (Sahadeva) let them gather every article agreeable to taste and smell, articles which may delight and attract the hearts of the Brahmanas."
As soon as these words were uttered by Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, that foremost of all warriors, Sahadeva, informed the king that they had been all done.
O king, Dvaipayana then appointed the Ritvijas, who were high-souled, and who were like the Vedas in their personified forms.
The son of Satyavati (Vyasa) himself became the Brahma in that sacrifice, the best of the Dhananjaya race, Susama, became the chaunter of the Sama Veda.
The Brahma-knowing Yajnavalkya became the Adhvaryu, the son of Vasu Paila, with Dhaumya, became the Hotas.
O best of the Bharata race, the disciples and the sons of these men, all well-acquainted with the Vedas, became Hotragas,
Having uttered benedictions, and having recited the objects of the sacrifice, all of them worshipped the large (sacrificial) ground according to the ordinance.
Commanded by the Brahmanas, the builders and the artifices erected their many houses that were specious and that were well perfumed like the temples of gods.
Thereupon that best of kings, and that best of men, the king (Yudhishthira) immediately commanded his minister Sahadeva saying.
"Dispatch soon (some-swift messengers to invite all. "Having heard the royal command, he (Sahadeva) soon sent messengers saying. "Invite all the Brahmanas of the kingdom, all the owners of land (Kshatriyas). All the Vaishyas, and all the respectable Shudras. Bring them all here (in this sacrifice)".
At the command of the Pandavas those swift messengers invited every one without any loss of time; and they brought with them many persons both friends and strangers.
O descendant of Bharata, at the proper time the Brahmanas installed the son of Kunti, Yudhishthira, in the sacrifice,
When the virtuous Dharmaraja Yudhishthira was installed in the sacrifice, he went to the sacrificial ground, surrounded by thousands of Brahmanas.
And accompanied by his brothers, relatives, friends and ministers, and also by many best of men among the Kshatriyas who had assembled from various countries.
And also by many counsellors. Many Brahmanas, learned in all the branches of knowledge and well versed in the Vedas and the Vedangas, began to assemble there from various directions. At the command of the Dharmaraja, habitations were erected for them.
And their attendants, separately for each by thousands of artisans who were endued with all qualifications, they were filled with much food and many clothes.
O king, having been duly worshipped by the king, Brahmanas continued to live there, passing their time in conversation on various topics and seeing the performance of actors and dancers.
The noise of these illustrious Brahmanas eating and talking cheerfully was continuously heard.
"Give, Give", "Eat, Eat", were the words that were continuously and every day heard there.
O descendant of Bharata, Dharmaraja separately gave to each of those Brahmanas thousands of kine, beds, golden coins and damsels.
Thus like the sacrifice formerly performed by Shakra (Indra) in heaven, began the sacrifice of that matchless hero, the illustrious Pandava (Yudhishthira), on earth.
Then that best of men, the king Yudhishthira, sent the Pandava Nakula to Hastinapur to Bring Bhishma, Drona, Dhritarashtra, Vidura, Kripa, and all those cousins who were attached to him.
Vaishampayana said:
Having gone to Hastinapur the ever victorious son of Pandu Nakula at their head, invited Bhishma and Dhritarashtra.
Having (thus) been invited by due ceremonies, the elders of the Kuru race, with the preceptor at their head and with Brahmanas walking in front came joyfully to sacrifice.
O best of the Bharata race, O descendant of Bharata, having heard of the sacrifice of king Yudhishthira, and wishing to see the son of Pandu Dharamaraja (Yudhishthira) and his Sabha, hundreds of other Yajna-knowing Kshatriyas joyfully came there from various countries.
They brought with them various costly gems and jewels. The high-minded Bhishma, Dhritarashtra and Vidura,
All the (Kuru) brothers with Duryodhana at their head, the king of Gandharva Subala, the greatly strong Shakuni.
Achala, Vrishaka, that best of all car-warriors, Karna, the greatly powerful Shalya, the exceedingly strong Valhika.
Somadatta, Bhuri of the Kuru race, Bhurisrava, Sala, Ashvathama, Kripa, Drona, the king of Sindhu, Jayadratha.
Yakshasena with his sons, that lord of the earth Shalva, the great car-warrior, Bhagadatta, the king of Pragjyotisha.
With all the Mlecchas living in the marshy regions along the sea coast, many mountain kings, king Vrihadvala.
The king of the Paundrakas, Vasudeva the king of Vanga and Kalinga, Akarsha, Kuntala, the kings of the Malavas and the Andhakas,
And of the Dravidas and the Singhalas, the king of Kashmira, the greatly effulgent king Kuntibhoja, the king Gauravahana.
Balhika, and many other heroic kings, Virata with his two sons, the greatly powerful
Mavella,
Various other kings and potentates ruling over various countries the greatly effulgent and invincible in battle king Sisupala with his son, O descendant of Bharata, (all these kings) came to the sacrifice of the Pandavas, Rama, Aniruddha, Kanaka, Sarana.
Gada, Pradyumna, Samba, the greatly energetic Charudeshna Ulmuka, Nishatha, the brave Angavaha.
And numerous other Vrishnis, all great car-warriors, came to that sacrifice. These and many other kings of the middle country
Came to that great Rajasuya sacrifice of the son of Pandu. At the command of Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), houses were assigned to them all.
O king! (these houses) were full of various kinds of eatables; they were adorned with tanks and tall trees. There is those houses the son of Dharma (Yudhishthira) worshipped all those illustrious (monarchs).
Having been duly worshipped by the king, they retired to the houses assigned to them. Those houses were like the cliffs of Kailasa, they were delightful and adorned with every king of furniture.
They were enclosed on all sides with well-built, high and white-washed walls. Their windows were cover with net works of gold and their interior was adorned with strings of pearls.
Their stairs were easy of ascent, and their floors were all covered with costly carpets. They were all adorned with garlands of flowers and perfumed with excellent aloes.
Being white as the snow or the moon, they looked exceedingly beautiful even from the distance of a Yojana. Their doors were all uniformly made, and they were wide enough to admit a crowd of persons (all at once).
Made of many metals, they looked like the peaks of the Himalayas. After resting for a while (in these mansions) all those kings saw the great Dakshina giving Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, surrounded by numerous Sadasyas. O king, the sacrificial ground, crowded with kings, (Brahmanas and great Rishis, looked as beautiful as heaven crowded with the celestials.
Vaishampayana said:
O king, having approached and worshipped his grandfather (Bhishma) and his preceptor (Drona), Yudhishthira thus spoke to,
Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, the son of Drona (Ashvathama), Duryodhana and Vivanshati. "But all of you gracious to me in my this sacrifice.
All this my great wealth is yours. Consult you all with one another, and guide me as you desire."
Having thus spoken to all, the eldest of the Pandavas (Yudhishthira), who had been already installed in the sacrifice, appointed every one of them in suitable office.
He appointed Dushasana to superintend the department of food and other enjoyable articles. Ashvathama was solicited to look after the Brahmanas.
Sanjaya was appointed to return worship to all (invited kings). The high-minded Bhishma and Drona were employed to see what was done and what was left undone.
The king (Yudhishthira) appointed Kripa to look after the diamonds, the gold the pearls and the gems, and he was also appointed to distribute Dakshina (gift) to the Brahmanas.
Thus other best of men were all appointed in various other offices. Having been brought there by Nakula, Valhika, Dhritarashtra, Somadatta, and Jayadratha enjoyed there as the lords (of the sacrifice).
Kshatta (Vidura), learned in all the precepts of virtue, became the master of exchequer. Duryodhana became the receiver of tributes brought by the kings.
Krishna, the centre of all men, with the desire of gaining the excellent fruit, him-self willingly took the task of washing the feet of the Brahmanas.
Wishing to see that Sabha and also Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, no one came there with less tribute than one thousand (in kind) number of quantity).
All (the assembled kings) honoured Dharmaraja with large presents of jewels,. Every one of those kings proudly said, "Let the Kuru king complete his sacrifice with the gems and wealth that I present to him,(without taking any presents from any other king)". O king, the sacrificial ground of the illustrious son of Kunti, crowded with guards and warriors, with the cars of the celestiaiss and with the kings, all possessing beauty and wealth, looked extremely handsome with the numerous palaces, so built as to last for ever, and so high that their tops touched the car of the celestiaiss who came to see that sacrifice, with the dwellings of the Brahmanas, and the mansions that were built for the king which resembled the cars of the celestiaiss, and adorned with gems and filled with every king of wealth.
Yudhishthira, as if vying with the deity Varuna himself in wealth, commenced the (Rajasuya) sacrifice which was distinguished by large Dakshinas to Brahmanas and emblazoned with the six fires.
The king gratified every body with present of great value and with every object that one could desire, with abundance of rice and of every kind of food, and also with a large quantity of jewels brought as tribute. Every one of that vast concourse of people was fed to his fill.
The celestiaiss were gratified in that sacrifice by the Ida, Ghee, Homa and libations poured by the great Rishis, learned in Mantras and pronunciations.
Like the celestiaiss, the Brahmanas were also gratified with the sacrificial gifts, food and great wealth. Men of all the orders were gratified and were filled with joy.
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