02.030
Core-Pancharatra: Wealth accumulates because of righteous rule. Yudhisthira decides to perform a sacrifice.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
rakṣaṇāddharmarājasya satyasya paripālanāt। śatrūṇāṃ kṣapaṇāccaiva svakarmaniratāḥ prajāḥ ॥2-30-1॥
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)
balīnāṃ samyagādānāddharmataścānuśāsanāt। nikāmavarṣī parjanyaḥ sphīto janapado'bhavat ॥2-30-2॥
Because the powerful collected taxes properly and governed righteously, rain fell as desired and the land became prosperous. (2-30-2)
sarvārambhāḥ supravṛttā gorakṣaṃ karṣaṇaṃ vaṇik। viśeṣātsarvamevaitatsañjajñe rājakarmaṇaḥ ॥2-30-3॥
All well-conducted undertakings, such as cow protection, ploughing, and trade, were especially regarded as royal duties. (2-30-3)
dasyubhyo vañcakebhyo vā rājan prati parasparam। rājavallabhataś caiva nāśrūyanta mṛṣā giraḥ ॥2-30-4॥
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)
avarṣaṃ cātivarṣaṃ ca vyādhipāvakamūrcchanam। sarvam etat tadā nāsīddharmanitye yudhiṣṭhire ॥2-30-5॥
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)
priyaṃ kartum upasthātuṃ balikarma svabhāvajam। abhihartuṃ nṛpā jagmur nānyaiḥ kāryaiḥ pṛthakpṛthak ॥2-30-6॥
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)
dharmyair dhanāgamais tasya vavṛdhe nicayo mahān। kartuṃ yasya na śakyeta kṣayo varṣaśatair api ॥2-30-7॥
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)
svakośasya parīmāṇaṃ koṣṭhasya ca mahīpatiḥ। vijñāya rājā kaunteyo yajñāyaiva mano dadhe ॥2-30-8॥
After determining the extent of his treasury and granary, the king Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, resolved to perform the sacrifice. (2-30-8)
suhṛdaś caiva taṃ sarve pṛthak ca saha cābruvan। yajñakālas tava vibho kriyatām atra sāmpratam ॥2-30-9॥
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)
athaivaṃ bruvatāmeva teṣām abhyāyayau hariḥ। ṛṣiḥ purāṇo vedātmā dṛśyaś cāpi vijānatām ॥2-30-10॥
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)
jagatas tasthuṣāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ prabhavaś cāpyayaś ca ha। bhūtabhavyabhavannāthaḥ keśavaḥ keśisūdanaḥ ॥2-30-11॥
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)
prākāraḥ sarvavṛṣṇīnām āpatsu abhayadaḥ arihā। bala-adhikāre nikṣipya saṃhatya anaka-dundubhim ॥2-30-12॥
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)
uccāvacam upādāya dharmarājāya mādhavaḥ। dhanaughaṃ puruṣavyāghro balena mahatā vṛtaḥ ॥2-30-13॥
Mādhava, the tiger among men, accompanied by great strength, brought a multitude of wealth of various kinds to Dharmarāja. (2-30-13)
taṃ dhanaugham-aparyantaṃ ratnasāgaram-akṣayam। nādayan rathaghoṣeṇa praviveśa purottamam ॥2-30-14॥
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)
asūryam iva sūryeṇa nivātam iva vāyunā। kṛṣṇena samupetena jahṛṣe bhārataṃ puram ॥2-30-15॥
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)
taṃ mudābhisamāgamya satkṛtya ca yathāvidhi। sampṛṣṭvā kuśalaṃ caiva sukhāsīnaṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥2-30-16॥
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)
dhaumyadvaipāyanamukhairṛtvigbhiḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ। bhīmārjunayamaiścāpi sahitaḥ kṛṣṇamabravīt ॥2-30-17॥
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)
tvatkṛte pṛthivī sarvā madvaśe kṛṣṇa vartate। dhanaṃ ca bahu vārṣṇeya tvatprasādādupārjitam ॥2-30-18॥
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)
so'ham icchāmi tat sarvaṃ vidhivad devakīsuta। upayoktuṃ dvijāgryeṣu havyavāhe ca mādhava ॥2-30-19॥
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)
tad ahaṃ yaṣṭum icchāmi dāśārha sahitas tvayā | anujaiś ca mahābāho tan mānujñātum arhasi ||2-30-20||
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)
sa dīkṣāpaya govinda tvam ātmānaṃ mahābhuja। tvayi iṣṭavati dāśārha vipāpmā bhavitā hy aham ॥2-30-21॥
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)
māṃ vāpyabhyanujānīhi sahaibhiranujairvibho। anujñātastvayā kṛṣṇa prāpnuyāṃ kratumuttamam ॥2-30-22॥
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)
taṃ kṛṣṇaḥ pratyuvācedaṃ bahūktvā guṇavistaram। tvameva rājaśārdūla samrāḍarho mahākratum ॥ samprāpnuhi tvayā prāpte kṛtakṛtyāstato vayam ॥2-30-23॥
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)
yajasvābhīpsitaṃ yajñaṃ mayi śreyasyavasthite। niyuṅkṣva cāpi māṃ kṛtye sarvaṃ kartāsmi te vacaḥ ॥2-30-24॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
saphalaḥ kṛṣṇa saṅkalpaḥ siddhiśca niyatā mama। yasya me tvaṃ hṛṣīkeśa yathepsitamupasthitaḥ ॥2-30-25॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
anujñātastu kṛṣṇena pāṇḍavo bhrātṛbhiḥ saha। īhituṃ rājasūyāya sādhanānyupacakrame ॥2-30-26॥
But, having received Kṛṣṇa's permission, the Pāṇḍava, along with his brothers, began preparations for the Rājasūya sacrifice. (2-30-26)
tat ājñāpayāmāsa pāṇḍavo'rinibarhaṇaḥ। sahadevaṃ yudhāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ mantriṇaścaiva sarvaśaḥ ॥2-30-27॥
Then the Pāṇḍava, destroyer of enemies, ordered Sahadeva, the foremost among warriors, and all the ministers in every respect. (2-30-27)
asmin-kratau yathoktāni yajñāṅgāni dvijātibhiḥ| tathopakararaṇaṁ sarvaṁ maṅgalāni ca sarvaśaḥ ॥2-30-28॥
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)
adhiyajñāṃś ca sambhārān dhaumyoktān kṣipram eva hi। samānayantu puruṣā yathāyogaṃ yathākramam ॥2-30-29॥
Let the men promptly gather the sacrificial articles and materials as instructed by Dhaumya, in the proper manner and sequence. (2-30-29)
indraseno viśokaś ca pūruś cārjunasārathiḥ। annādyāharaṇe yuktāḥ santu matpriyakāmyayā ॥2-30-30॥
Let Indrasena, Viśoka, Pūru, and Arjuna's charioteer be engaged in bringing food and eatables, with the desire to please me. (2-30-30)
sarvakāmāś ca kāryantāṃ rasagandhasamanvitāḥ। manoharāḥ prītikarā dvijānāṃ kurusattama ॥2-30-31॥
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)
tadvākyasamakālaṃ tu kṛtaṃ sarvam avedayat। sahadevo yudhāṃ śreṣṭho dharmarāje mahātmani ॥2-30-32॥
Sahadeva, the foremost among warriors, immediately informed the great-souled Dharmarāja of all that had been done. (2-30-32)
tato dvaipāyano rājannṛtvijaḥ samupānayat। vedāniva mahābhāgānsākṣānmūrtimato dvijān ॥2-30-33॥
Then Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa), O king, assembled the priests—those greatly fortunate Brāhmaṇas, who were like the very embodiment of the Vedas. (2-30-33)
svayaṃ brahmatvamakarottasya satyavatīsutaḥ। dhanañjayānāmṛṣabhaḥ susāmā sāmago'bhavat ॥2-30-34॥
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)
yājñavalkyo babhūvātha brahmiṣṭho'dhvaryusattamaḥ। pailo hotā vasoḥ putro dhaumyena sahito'bhavat ॥2-30-35॥
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)
eteṣāṃ śiṣyavargāś ca putrāś ca bharatarṣabha। babhūvur hotragāḥ sarve vedavedāṅgapāragāḥ ॥2-30-36॥
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)
te vācayitvā puṇyāhamīhayitvā ca taṃ vidhim। śāstroktam yojayāmāsus tad devayajanaṃ mahat ॥2-30-37॥
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)
tatra cakruranujñātāḥ śaraṇānyuta śilpinaḥ। ratnavanti viśālāni veśmānīva divaukasām ॥2-30-38॥
There, the craftsmen, having received permission, constructed shelters and also spacious mansions adorned with jewels, resembling those of the celestial beings. (2-30-38)
tat ājñāpayāmāsa sa rājā rājasattamaḥ। sahadevaṃ tadā sadyo mantriṇaṃ kurusattamaḥ ॥2-30-39॥
Then that king, the best among kings, immediately ordered his minister Sahadeva, the best among the Kurus. (2-30-39)
āmantraṇārthaṃ dūtāṃstvaṃ preṣayasvāśugāndrutam। upaśrutya vaco rājñaḥ sa dūtānprāhiṇottadā ॥2-30-40॥
"Send swift messengers quickly for the invitation." Having heard the king's words, he then sent the messengers. (2-30-40)
āmantrayadhvaṃ rāṣṭreṣu brāhmaṇānbhūmipānapi। viśaśca mānyāñśūdrāṃśca sarvānānayeteti ca ॥2-30-41॥
Invite Brāhmaṇas, kings, clansmen, respected ones, Śūdras, and everyone else from the kingdoms, instructing: "Bring everyone." (2-30-41)
te sarvān pṛthivī-pālān pāṇḍaveyasya śāsanāt। āmantrayāṃ babhūvuś ca preṣayām āsa ca aparān ॥2-30-42॥
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)
tataste tu yathākālaṃ kuntīputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram। dīkṣayāṃ cakrire viprā rājasūyāya bhārata ॥2-30-43॥
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)
dīkṣitaḥ sa tu dharmātmā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। jagāma yajñāyatanaṃ vṛto vipraiḥ sahasraśaḥ ॥2-30-44॥
Yudhishthira, the righteous king, having been consecrated, went to the sacrificial place accompanied by thousands of Brāhmaṇas. (2-30-44)
bhrātṛbhir jñātibhiś caiva suhṛdbhiḥ sacivaiz tathā। kṣatriyaiś ca manuṣyendra nānādeśasamāgataiḥ ॥ amātyaiś ca nṛpaśreṣṭho dharmo vigrahavān iva ॥2-30-45॥
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)
ājagmur brāhmaṇās tatra viṣayebhyas tatas tataḥ। sarva-vidyāsu niṣṇātā veda-vedāṅga-pāragāḥ ॥2-30-46॥
Brāhmaṇas, proficient in all sciences and well-versed in the Veda and Vedāṅgas, came there from various regions. (2-30-46)
teṣām āvasathāṃś cakrur dharmarājasya śāsanāt। bahv-annān śayanaiḥ yuktān sa-gaṇānāṃ pṛthak pṛthak॥ sarva-ṛtu-guṇa-sampannān śilpinaḥ atha sahasraśaḥ॥2-30-47॥
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)
teṣu te nyavasan rājan brāhmaṇā bhṛśa-satkṛtāḥ। kathayantaḥ kathā bahvīḥ paśyanto naṭa-nartakān ॥2-30-48॥
O king, the brāhmaṇas, being greatly honored, dwelt among them, engaging in many conversations and watching the actors and dancers. (2-30-48)
bhuñjatāṃ caiva viprāṇāṃ vadatāṃ ca mahāsvanaḥ। aniśaṃ śrūyate smātra muditānāṃ mahātmanām ॥2-30-49॥
The great sound of the Brāhmaṇas eating and speaking was constantly heard here, from the joyful and great-souled ones. (2-30-49)
dīyatāṃ dīyatāmeṣāṃ bhujyatāṃ bhujyatāmiti। evamprakārāḥ sañjalpāḥ śrūyante smātra nityaśaḥ ॥2-30-50॥
“Give, give to these, let them enjoy, let them enjoy”—such kinds of conversations were constantly heard here. (2-30-50)
gavāṃ śatasahasrāṇi śayanānāṃ ca bhārata। rukmasya yoṣitāṃ caiva dharmarājaḥ pṛthagdadau ॥2-30-51॥
O Bhārata, Dharmarāja gave away a hundred thousand cows, beds, gold, and women separately. (2-30-51)
prāvartataivaṃ yajñaḥ sa pāṇḍavasya mahātmanaḥ। pṛthivyāmekavīrasya śakrasyeva triviṣṭape ॥2-30-52॥
Thus, the sacrifice of the noble Pāṇḍava began, on earth, like that of the mighty Indra, the sole hero, in heaven. (2-30-52)
tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā preṣayāmāsa pāṇḍavam। nakulaṃ hāstinapuraṃ bhīṣmāya bharatarṣabha ॥2-30-53॥
Then King Yudhishthira sent Nakula, the Pandava, to Hastinapura to meet Bhishma, O best of the Bharatas. (2-30-53)
droṇāya dhṛtarāṣṭrāya vidurāya kṛpāya ca। bhrātṝṇāṃ caiva sarveṣāṃ ye'nuraktā yudhiṣṭhire ॥2-30-54॥
To Droṇa, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Vidura, Kṛpa, and all the brothers, and to all those who are devoted to Yudhiṣṭhira. (2-30-54)
