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Mahābhārata The History of the Great India
<< 134 The Sacrifice Begins >>
 |  | Then, O Bharata, at the proper time the learned brahmanas initiated Kunti's son Yudhisthira into the stately Rajasuya sacrifice. Yudhisthira, the king of religious principles, then went to the sacrificial arena in the midst of thousands of learned brahmanas, his brothers and other relatives, his friends and ministers, royal warriors who had come from so many lands, and his royal counselors, O lord of mankind. That most glorious monarch thus went forth like the god of virtue himself.
| | | From many regions came brahmanas learned in all the sciences, masters of the Vedas and the Vedic corollaries. At the order of Dharmaraja Yudhisthira, thousands of expert craftsmen constructed a separate residence for each brahmana and his party and equipped the residences with abundant stocks of food, beds, and the amenities of all seasons. Greatly honored, the brahmanas dwelled in those abodes, O king, telling many stories and watching the actors and dancers.
| | | The learned brahmanas were delighted [with their facilities], and as those great souls went on eating and conversing, a steady clamor was heard from their residential area: "Take this gift! Take this gift! Please come and eat! Please eat!" Such sounds were constantly heard from them as they talked among themselves. O Bharata, to each brahmana the king of virtue gave hundreds of thousands of cows and beds, along with gold and women. Yudhisthira was a great soul—a unique hero on earth, as Indra is in heaven—and thus his sacrifice began.
| | | Then, O best of the Bharatas, King Yudhisthira sent the Pandava Nakula to Hastinapura to invite Bhisma, Drona, Dhrtarastra, Vidura, Krpa, and those of his cousin-brothers who were attached to Yudhisthira.
| | | The Pandava Nakula had met and conquered his enemies in battle. Now he journeyed to Hastinapura and invited Bhisma and Dhrtarastra. Hearing in detail about Yudhisthira's sacrifice, and knowing its significance, they all departed with joyful hearts, placing the brahmanas in the front of their delegation. And hundreds of other rulers came, O best of men, with satisfied minds, eager to see Yudhisthira and the great assembly hall. O Bharata, the kings arrived from all directions, bringing with them varieties of treasure.
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