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Mahābhārata The History of the Great India
<< 132 Assembling for the Rajasuya Sacrifice >>
 |  | The leaders of the world arrive for a sacrifice only a world emperor can perform. The sage Vaisampayana is telling the history of the Pandavas to their great-grandson, King Janamejaya. As the narration continues, the Pandava Yudhisthira, now emperor of the world, prepares to perform the great Rajasuya sacrifice. [Abridged from the original translation.]
| | | Yudhisthira Was A King of virtue, and because he protected the people, carefully guarding the truth and destroying his enemies, all creatures were free to perform their own duties. He took tribute in the right measure, and because he consistently ruled in accord with religious principles, Parjanya (the demigod Indra, controller of rain) sent rain as the people desired, and they grew rich. All endeavors succeeded, especially trade, agriculture, and cow protection, and all this manifested by the king's good work.
| | | Neither from robbers nor cheaters nor those receiving royal gifts were false words ever heard about the king. There was no drought, flood, epidemic, or heavy wind when the ever-righteous Yudhisthira was king. One by one the kings went to him, with no other duties but to spontaneously offer him tribute, to be near him, and to act for his pleasure. With the accumulation of lawful wealth, his store of riches grew so great that it could not have been exhausted even in hundreds of years. That king and lord of the earth, Kunti's son, realizing the extent of his treasury and granary, set his mind firmly on sacrifice.
| | | All his dear friends, individually and as a group, said to him, "O mighty one, it is your time to offer sacrifice. Let it now be properly executed here."
| | | As they spoke in this way Lord Krsna arrived, that primeval sage, the Soul of the Vedas and of all knowledge, He who is the object of vision for those who know and realize the truth. Of all moving and unmoving beings, Lord Krsna is the best, for He is the generating source and the destruction of the world, the master of all that has existed, will exist, and exists at present. He is Lord Kesava, who as a child slew the demon Kesi. He is the bulwark of all the Vrsnis, and in times of danger He gives fearlessness and destroys the enemy. After Lord Krsna had approached His father, Vasudeva, and entrusted him with the command of His army, that tiger among men, Krsna, had taken a mass of variegated wealth for Yudhisthira and come there surrounded by a vast military force.
| | | The Lord announced that He had brought an unlimited mass of wealth in the form of an inexhaustible ocean of gems, and then with the sound of rolling chariots He entered that excellent city like the sun appearing in a sunless sky or the wind in a windless land.
| | | When Krsna arrived, the Bharata city rejoiced. With great delight King Yudhisthira came forward to greet and honor Him in accordance with custom and to ask all about His welfare.
| | | When Krsna had been comfortably seated, King Yudhisthira, that bull of a man, together with Dhaumya, Dvaipayana Vyasa, and other priests, and also with his brothers Bhima, Arjuna, and the twins, said to Krsna: "It is by Your doing, O son of Vrsni, that the whole world is now under my control, and by Your mercy much wealth has been collected. O son of Devaki, O Madhava, I truly want to engage all that I possess in the fire of sacrifice, giving it to the best of the twice-born brahmanas. O mighty-armed Dasarha, I thus desire to offer a sacrifice together with You and my younger brothers. Kindly permit me. O Govinda, O mighty-armed Lord, initiate Yourself into the rite, for when You have performed the sacrifice I shall certainly become free of sin. Or if You like, almighty one, give me and my younger brothers permission, and then with Your consent, Krsna, I shall complete this ultimate sacrifice."
| | | After extensively praising all the king's good qualities, Lord Krsna replied, "O tiger of a king, you alone are a worthy emperor. You should complete the great sacrifice, for when you complete it We shall have fulfilled Our duty. Offer this sacrifice you so much desire, now that I am here to help you. And please engage Me, for I shall execute your every command."
| | | King Yudhisthira said, "Dear Krsna, my decision is now successful and my perfection assured, for You, Hrsikesa, are here with us, as we so much desired."
| | | Thus with Krsna's permission and the help of his brothers, the Pandava Yudhisthira arranged to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice.
| | | King Yudhisthira, who could crush his enemies, then commanded Sahadeva, the best of fighters, and all the royal ministers: "Let men gather up and bring all the sacrificial instruments the brahmanas prescribe for this ceremony, along with the paraphernalia and all the auspicious items. And let them bring all the sacrificial ingredients for this supreme rite as soon as the royal priest Dhaumya calls for them. The men must supply everything in the proper sequence and as required. As a special favor to me, let Indrasena, Visoka, and Arjuna's charioteer, Puru, bring grains and other foodstuffs. Most noble Kuru, all desirable things filled with flavor and fragrance, charming to the mind, and pleasing to the heart should be arranged for the twice-born brahmanas."
| | | No sooner had those words been uttered than Sahadeva, the best of fighters, informed the great-souled king of virtue that everything was as good as done.
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