02.030
Core-Pancharatra: Wealth accumulates because of righteous rule. Yudhisthira decides to perform a sacrifice.
Vaiśampāyana said.
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)
Because the powerful collected taxes properly and governed righteously, rain fell as desired and the land became prosperous. (2-30-2)
All well-conducted undertakings, such as cow protection, ploughing, and trade, were especially regarded as royal duties. (2-30-3)
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)
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)
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)
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)
After determining the extent of his treasury and granary, the king Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, resolved to perform the sacrifice. (2-30-8)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Mādhava, the tiger among men, accompanied by great strength, brought a multitude of wealth of various kinds to Dharmarāja. (2-30-13)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 said.
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 said.
But, having received Kṛṣṇa's permission, the Pāṇḍava, along with his brothers, began preparations for the Rājasūya sacrifice. (2-30-26)
Then the Pāṇḍava, destroyer of enemies, ordered Sahadeva, the foremost among warriors, and all the ministers in every respect. (2-30-27)
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)
Let the men promptly gather the sacrificial articles and materials as instructed by Dhaumya, in the proper manner and sequence. (2-30-29)
Let Indrasena, Viśoka, Pūru, and Arjuna's charioteer be engaged in bringing food and eatables, with the desire to please me. (2-30-30)
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)
Sahadeva, the foremost among warriors, immediately informed the great-souled Dharmarāja of all that had been done. (2-30-32)
Then Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa), O king, assembled the priests—those greatly fortunate Brāhmaṇas, who were like the very embodiment of the Vedas. (2-30-33)
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)
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)
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)
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)
There, the craftsmen, having received permission, constructed shelters and also spacious mansions adorned with jewels, resembling those of the celestial beings. (2-30-38)
Then that king, the best among kings, immediately ordered his minister Sahadeva, the best among the Kurus. (2-30-39)
"Send swift messengers quickly for the invitation." Having heard the king's words, he then sent the messengers. (2-30-40)
Invite Brāhmaṇas, kings, clansmen, respected ones, Śūdras, and everyone else from the kingdoms, instructing: "Bring everyone." (2-30-41)
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)
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)
Yudhishthira, the righteous king, having been consecrated, went to the sacrificial place accompanied by thousands of Brāhmaṇas. (2-30-44)
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)
Brāhmaṇas, proficient in all sciences and well-versed in the Veda and Vedāṅgas, came there from various regions. (2-30-46)
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)
O king, the brāhmaṇas, being greatly honored, dwelt among them, engaging in many conversations and watching the actors and dancers. (2-30-48)
The great sound of the Brāhmaṇas eating and speaking was constantly heard here, from the joyful and great-souled ones. (2-30-49)
“Give, give to these, let them enjoy, let them enjoy”—such kinds of conversations were constantly heard here. (2-30-50)
O Bhārata, Dharmarāja gave away a hundred thousand cows, beds, gold, and women separately. (2-30-51)
Thus, the sacrifice of the noble Pāṇḍava began, on earth, like that of the mighty Indra, the sole hero, in heaven. (2-30-52)
Then King Yudhishthira sent Nakula, the Pandava, to Hastinapura to meet Bhishma, O best of the Bharatas. (2-30-53)
To Droṇa, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Vidura, Kṛpa, and all the brothers, and to all those who are devoted to Yudhiṣṭhira. (2-30-54)
