02.030
Core-Pancharatra: Wealth accumulates because of righteous rule. Yudhisthira decides to perform a sacrifice.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
रक्षणाद्धर्मराजस्य सत्यस्य परिपालनात्। शत्रूणां क्षपणाच्चैव स्वकर्मनिरताः प्रजाः ॥२-३०-१॥
Because of the king's protection of dharma, adherence to truth, and destruction of enemies, the subjects remain engaged in their own duties. (2-30-1)
बलीनां सम्यगादानाद्धर्मतश्चानुशासनात्। निकामवर्षी पर्जन्यः स्फीतो जनपदोऽभवत् ॥२-३०-२॥
Because the powerful collected taxes properly and governed righteously, rain fell as desired and the land became prosperous. (2-30-2)
सर्वारम्भाः सुप्रवृत्ता गोरक्षं कर्षणं वणिक्। विशेषात्सर्वमेवैतत्सञ्जज्ञे राजकर्मणः ॥२-३०-३॥
All well-conducted undertakings, such as cow protection, ploughing, and trade, were especially regarded as royal duties. (2-30-3)
दस्युभ्यो वञ्चकेभ्यो वा राजन्प्रति परस्परम्। राजवल्लभतश्चैव नाश्रूयन्त मृषा गिरः ॥२-३०-४॥
O king, neither from robbers nor from deceivers, nor even among the king's favorites, were false words ever heard among each other. (2-30-4)
अवर्षं चातिवर्षं च व्याधिपावकमूर्छनम्। सर्वमेतत्तदा नासीद्धर्मनित्ये युधिष्ठिरे ॥२-३०-५॥
There was neither drought nor excessive rain, nor disease, fire, or fainting; none of these existed when Yudhishthira, who was devoted to dharma, ruled. (2-30-5)
प्रियं कर्तुमुपस्थातुं बलिकर्म स्वभावजम्। अभिहर्तुं नृपा जग्मुर्नान्यैः कार्यैः पृथक्पृथक् ॥२-३०-६॥
The kings went, each separately, not for any other purpose, but to perform the offering ritual that was dear and innate to their nature. (2-30-6)
धर्म्यैर्धनागमैस्तस्य ववृधे निचयो महान्। कर्तुं यस्य न शक्येत क्षयो वर्षशतैरपि ॥२-३०-७॥
His great accumulation, acquired by righteous means of wealth, increased so much that even in hundreds of years, its diminution could not be accomplished. (2-30-7)
स्वकोशस्य परीमाणं कोष्ठस्य च महीपतिः। विज्ञाय राजा कौन्तेयो यज्ञायैव मनो दधे ॥२-३०-८॥
After determining the extent of his treasury and granary, the king Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, resolved to perform the sacrifice. (2-30-8)
सुहृदश्चैव तं सर्वे पृथक्च सह चाब्रुवन्। यज्ञकालस्तव विभो क्रियतामत्र साम्प्रतम् ॥२-३०-९॥
All the friends, both individually and together, said to him: "O mighty one, let the time for your sacrifice be arranged here and now." (2-30-9)
अथैवं ब्रुवतामेव तेषामभ्याययौ हरिः। ऋषिः पुराणो वेदात्मा दृश्यश्चापि विजानताम् ॥२-३०-१०॥
Then, as they were thus speaking, Hari, the ancient sage whose essence is the Veda, who is visible also to the wise, approached them. (2-30-10)
जगतस्तस्थुषां श्रेष्ठः प्रभवश्चाप्ययश्च ह। भूतभव्यभवन्नाथः केशवः केशिसूदनः ॥२-३०-११॥
Keśava, the slayer of Keśi, is the supreme among the world and the stationary beings, the origin and dissolution; he is the lord of the past, future, and present. (2-30-11)
प्राकारः सर्ववृष्णीनामापत्स्वभयदोऽरिहा। बलाधिकारे निक्षिप्य संहत्यानकदुन्दुभिम् ॥२-३०-१२॥
The rampart of all the Vṛṣṇis, who gave fearlessness in times of danger and destroyed enemies, had the kettledrum assembled and placed under the command of the army. (2-30-12)
उच्चावचमुपादाय धर्मराजाय माधवः। धनौघं पुरुषव्याघ्रो बलेन महता वृतः ॥२-३०-१३॥
Mādhava, the tiger among men, accompanied by great strength, brought a multitude of wealth of various kinds to Dharmarāja. (2-30-13)
तं धनौघमपर्यन्तं रत्नसागरमक्षयम्। नादयन्रथघोषेण प्रविवेश पुरोत्तमम् ॥२-३०-१४॥
He, making the sound of his chariot resound, entered the supreme city, which was an endless stream of wealth and an inexhaustible ocean of jewels. (2-30-14)
असूर्यमिव सूर्येण निवातमिव वायुना। कृष्णेन समुपेतेन जहृषे भारतं पुरम् ॥२-३०-१५॥
Just as a place without sunlight is brightened by the sun, and a windless place is enlivened by the wind, so too, when Kṛṣṇa arrived, the city of Bhārata was filled with joy. (2-30-15)
तं मुदाभिसमागम्य सत्कृत्य च यथाविधि। सम्पृष्ट्वा कुशलं चैव सुखासीनं युधिष्ठिरः ॥२-३०-१६॥
Yudhishthira approached him joyfully, honored him as per the proper custom, inquired about his well-being, and saw that he was comfortably seated. (2-30-16)
धौम्यद्वैपायनमुखैरृत्विग्भिः पुरुषर्षभः। भीमार्जुनयमैश्चापि सहितः कृष्णमब्रवीत् ॥२-३०-१७॥
The officiating priests, led by Dhaumya and Dvaipāyana, addressed the best among men, who was together with Bhīma, Arjuna, Yudhiṣṭhira, the twins, and also accompanied by Kṛṣṇa. (2-30-17)
त्वत्कृते पृथिवी सर्वा मद्वशे कृष्ण वर्तते। धनं च बहु वार्ष्णेय त्वत्प्रसादादुपार्जितम् ॥२-३०-१८॥
O Kṛṣṇa, for your sake the whole earth is under my control, and much wealth, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, has been gained by your grace. (2-30-18)
सोऽहमिच्छामि तत्सर्वं विधिवद्देवकीसुत। उपयोक्तुं द्विजाग्र्येषु हव्यवाहे च माधव ॥२-३०-१९॥
O son of Devakī, O Mādhava, I desire to employ all that, according to rule, among the foremost Brāhmaṇas and in the sacrificial fire. (2-30-19)
तदहं यष्टुमिच्छामि दाशार्ह सहितस्त्वया। अनुजैश्च महाबाहो तन्मानुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥२-३०-२०॥
O mighty-armed descendant of Dasharha, I wish to perform a sacrifice together with you and my younger brothers; therefore, you ought to permit me to do so. (2-30-20)
स दीक्षापय गोविन्द त्वमात्मानं महाभुज। त्वयीष्टवति दाशार्ह विपाप्मा भविता ह्यहम् ॥२-३०-२१॥
O mighty-armed Govinda, you should initiate yourself. When the sacrifice is performed by you, O descendant of Dasharha, I will indeed become free from sin. (2-30-21)
मां वाप्यभ्यनुजानीहि सहैभिरनुजैर्विभो। अनुज्ञातस्त्वया कृष्ण प्राप्नुयां क्रतुमुत्तमम् ॥२-३०-२२॥
O lord, please permit me, or at least together with these younger brothers. If permitted by you, Kṛṣṇa, may I attain the highest sacrifice. (2-30-22)
तं कृष्णः प्रत्युवाचेदं बहूक्त्वा गुणविस्तरम्। त्वमेव राजशार्दूल सम्राडर्हो महाक्रतुम् ॥ सम्प्राप्नुहि त्वया प्राप्ते कृतकृत्यास्ततो वयम् ॥२-३०-२३॥
Kṛṣṇa, after elaborating at length on the virtues, replied to him: "O tiger among kings, you alone are worthy to be the emperor and perform the great sacrifice. Attain it; when you have achieved it, then our purpose will be fulfilled." (2-30-23)
यजस्वाभीप्सितं यज्ञं मयि श्रेयस्यवस्थिते। नियुङ्क्ष्व चापि मां कृत्ये सर्वं कर्तास्मि ते वचः ॥२-३०-२४॥
Offer the sacrifice you desire to me, who am established in the highest good; also appoint me in the action; I will accomplish all your command. (2-30-24)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
सफलः कृष्ण सङ्कल्पः सिद्धिश्च नियता मम। यस्य मे त्वं हृषीकेश यथेप्सितमुपस्थितः ॥२-३०-२५॥
O Kṛṣṇa, my resolve is fruitful and success is assured, for you, O Hṛṣīkeśa, have come to me just as I wished. (2-30-25)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
अनुज्ञातस्तु कृष्णेन पाण्डवो भ्रातृभिः सह। ईहितुं राजसूयाय साधनान्युपचक्रमे ॥२-३०-२६॥
But, having received Kṛṣṇa's permission, the Pāṇḍava, along with his brothers, began preparations for the Rājasūya sacrifice. (2-30-26)
तत आज्ञापयामास पाण्डवोऽरिनिबर्हणः। सहदेवं युधां श्रेष्ठं मन्त्रिणश्चैव सर्वशः ॥२-३०-२७॥
Then the Pāṇḍava, destroyer of enemies, ordered Sahadeva, the foremost among warriors, and all the ministers in every respect. (2-30-27)
अस्मिन्क्रतौ यथोक्तानि यज्ञाङ्गानि द्विजातिभिः। तथोपकरणं सर्वं मङ्गलानि च सर्वशः ॥२-३०-२८॥
In this sacrifice, all the sacrificial components as prescribed, the instruments, and all auspicious items are to be provided entirely by the twice-born. (2-30-28)
अधियज्ञांश्च सम्भारान्धौम्योक्तान्क्षिप्रमेव हि। समानयन्तु पुरुषा यथायोगं यथाक्रमम् ॥२-३०-२९॥
Let the men promptly gather the sacrificial articles and materials as instructed by Dhaumya, in the proper manner and sequence. (2-30-29)
इन्द्रसेनो विशोकश्च पूरुश्चार्जुनसारथिः। अन्नाद्याहरणे युक्ताः सन्तु मत्प्रियकाम्यया ॥२-३०-३०॥
Let Indrasena, Viśoka, Pūru, and Arjuna's charioteer be engaged in bringing food and eatables, with the desire to please me. (2-30-30)
सर्वकामाश्च कार्यन्तां रसगन्धसमन्विताः। मनोहराः प्रीतिकरा द्विजानां कुरुसत्तम ॥२-३०-३१॥
O best of the Kurus, may all the desires of the twice-born be fulfilled, endowed with taste and fragrance, pleasing to the mind and causing delight. (2-30-31)
तद्वाक्यसमकालं तु कृतं सर्वमवेदयत्। सहदेवो युधां श्रेष्ठो धर्मराजे महात्मनि ॥२-३०-३२॥
Sahadeva, the foremost among warriors, immediately informed the great-souled Dharmarāja of all that had been done. (2-30-32)
ततो द्वैपायनो राजन्नृत्विजः समुपानयत्। वेदानिव महाभागान्साक्षान्मूर्तिमतो द्विजान् ॥२-३०-३३॥
Then Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa), O king, assembled the priests—those greatly fortunate Brāhmaṇas, who were like the very embodiment of the Vedas. (2-30-33)
स्वयं ब्रह्मत्वमकरोत्तस्य सत्यवतीसुतः। धनञ्जयानामृषभः सुसामा सामगोऽभवत् ॥२-३०-३४॥
The son of Satyavatī himself made him attain the status of Brahmā. Among the Dhanañjayas, the foremost, Susāmā, became a singer of the Sāma hymns. (2-30-34)
याज्ञवल्क्यो बभूवाथ ब्रह्मिष्ठोऽध्वर्युसत्तमः। पैलो होता वसोः पुत्रो धौम्येन सहितोऽभवत् ॥२-३०-३५॥
Yājñavalkya then became the foremost knower of the Vedas and the best among adhvaryu priests. Paila, the hotṛ priest, son of Vasu, together with Dhaumya, was present. (2-30-35)
एतेषां शिष्यवर्गाश्च पुत्राश्च भरतर्षभ। बभूवुर्होत्रगाः सर्वे वेदवेदाङ्गपारगाः ॥२-३०-३६॥
O best of the Bharatas, all the groups of disciples and sons among them became performers of sacrificial rites, thoroughly learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. (2-30-36)
ते वाचयित्वा पुण्याहमीहयित्वा च तं विधिम्। शास्त्रोक्तं योजयामासुस्तद्देवयजनं महत् ॥२-३०-३७॥
They caused the auspicious day to be proclaimed and, having performed the prescribed rites, arranged that great sacrifice to the gods as enjoined by the śāstra. (2-30-37)
तत्र चक्रुरनुज्ञाताः शरणान्युत शिल्पिनः। रत्नवन्ति विशालानि वेश्मानीव दिवौकसाम् ॥२-३०-३८॥
There, the craftsmen, having received permission, constructed shelters and also spacious mansions adorned with jewels, resembling those of the celestial beings. (2-30-38)
तत आज्ञापयामास स राजा राजसत्तमः। सहदेवं तदा सद्यो मन्त्रिणं कुरुसत्तमः ॥२-३०-३९॥
Then that king, the best among kings, immediately ordered his minister Sahadeva, the best among the Kurus. (2-30-39)
आमन्त्रणार्थं दूतांस्त्वं प्रेषयस्वाशुगान्द्रुतम्। उपश्रुत्य वचो राज्ञः स दूतान्प्राहिणोत्तदा ॥२-३०-४०॥
"Send swift messengers quickly for the invitation." Having heard the king's words, he then sent the messengers. (2-30-40)
आमन्त्रयध्वं राष्ट्रेषु ब्राह्मणान्भूमिपानपि। विशश्च मान्याञ्शूद्रांश्च सर्वानानयतेति च ॥२-३०-४१॥
Invite Brāhmaṇas, kings, clansmen, respected ones, Śūdras, and everyone else from the kingdoms, instructing: "Bring everyone." (2-30-41)
ते सर्वान्पृथिवीपालान्पाण्डवेयस्य शासनात्। आमन्त्रयां बभूवुश्च प्रेषयामास चापरान् ॥२-३०-४२॥
At the command of the son of Pāṇḍu, they invited all the kings of the earth and also sent invitations to others. (2-30-42)
ततस्ते तु यथाकालं कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्। दीक्षयां चक्रिरे विप्रा राजसूयाय भारत ॥२-३०-४३॥
Then, O Bhārata, at the proper time the Brāhmaṇas performed the consecration of Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī, for the Rājasūya sacrifice. (2-30-43)
दीक्षितः स तु धर्मात्मा धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। जगाम यज्ञायतनं वृतो विप्रैः सहस्रशः ॥२-३०-४४॥
Yudhishthira, the righteous king, having been consecrated, went to the sacrificial place accompanied by thousands of Brāhmaṇas. (2-30-44)
भ्रातृभिर्ज्ञातिभिश्चैव सुहृद्भिः सचिवैस्तथा। क्षत्रियैश्च मनुष्येन्द्र नानादेशसमागतैः ॥ अमात्यैश्च नृपश्रेष्ठो धर्मो विग्रहवानिव ॥२-३०-४५॥
O king of men, surrounded by brothers, relatives, friends, ministers, kṣatriyas, and counselors gathered from various regions, the best among kings appeared as if dharma itself had taken form. (2-30-45)
आजग्मुर्ब्राह्मणास्तत्र विषयेभ्यस्ततस्ततः। सर्वविद्यासु निष्णाता वेदवेदाङ्गपारगाः ॥२-३०-४६॥
Brāhmaṇas, proficient in all sciences and well-versed in the Veda and Vedāṅgas, came there from various regions. (2-30-46)
तेषामावसथांश्चक्रुर्धर्मराजस्य शासनात्। बह्वन्नाञ्शयनैर्युक्तान्सगणानां पृथक्पृथक् ॥ सर्वर्तुगुणसम्पन्नाञ्शिल्पिनोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥२-३०-४७॥
By the order of Dharmarāja, dwellings were constructed for them, each group separately, equipped with abundant food and beds; artisans by the thousands made them, ensuring they were suitable for all seasons. (2-30-47)
तेषु ते न्यवसन्राजन्ब्राह्मणा भृशसत्कृताः। कथयन्तः कथा बह्वीः पश्यन्तो नटनर्तकान् ॥२-३०-४८॥
O king, the brāhmaṇas, being greatly honored, dwelt among them, engaging in many conversations and watching the actors and dancers. (2-30-48)
भुञ्जतां चैव विप्राणां वदतां च महास्वनः। अनिशं श्रूयते स्मात्र मुदितानां महात्मनाम् ॥२-३०-४९॥
The great sound of the Brāhmaṇas eating and speaking was constantly heard here, from the joyful and great-souled ones. (2-30-49)
दीयतां दीयतामेषां भुज्यतां भुज्यतामिति। एवम्प्रकाराः सञ्जल्पाः श्रूयन्ते स्मात्र नित्यशः ॥२-३०-५०॥
“Give, give to these, let them enjoy, let them enjoy”—such kinds of conversations were constantly heard here. (2-30-50)
गवां शतसहस्राणि शयनानां च भारत। रुक्मस्य योषितां चैव धर्मराजः पृथग्ददौ ॥२-३०-५१॥
O Bhārata, Dharmarāja gave away a hundred thousand cows, beds, gold, and women separately. (2-30-51)
प्रावर्ततैवं यज्ञः स पाण्डवस्य महात्मनः। पृथिव्यामेकवीरस्य शक्रस्येव त्रिविष्टपे ॥२-३०-५२॥
Thus, the sacrifice of the noble Pāṇḍava began, on earth, like that of the mighty Indra, the sole hero, in heaven. (2-30-52)
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा प्रेषयामास पाण्डवम्। नकुलं हास्तिनपुरं भीष्माय भरतर्षभ ॥२-३०-५३॥
Then King Yudhishthira sent Nakula, the Pandava, to Hastinapura to meet Bhishma, O best of the Bharatas. (2-30-53)
द्रोणाय धृतराष्ट्राय विदुराय कृपाय च। भ्रातॄणां चैव सर्वेषां येऽनुरक्ता युधिष्ठिरे ॥२-३०-५४॥
To Droṇa, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Vidura, Kṛpa, and all the brothers, and to all those who are devoted to Yudhiṣṭhira. (2-30-54)
