02.033
Pancharatra: Instructed by Bhishma, Krishna is offered the highest honour.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
ततोऽभिषेचनीयेऽह्नि ब्राह्मणा राजभिः सह। अन्तर्वेदीं प्रविविशुः सत्कारार्थं महर्षयः ॥२-३३-१॥
Then, on the day appointed for the anointing, the Brāhmaṇas, together with the kings, entered the inner sacrificial ground to honor the great sages. (2-33-1)
नारदप्रमुखास्तस्यामन्तर्वेद्यां महात्मनः। समासीनाः शुशुभिरे सह राजर्षिभिस्तदा ॥२-३३-२॥
At that time, Nārada and the others, together with the royal sages, were seated on the inner platform of the great-souled one, shining brilliantly. (2-33-2)
समेता ब्रह्मभवने देवा देवर्षयो यथा। कर्मान्तरमुपासन्तो जजल्पुरमितौजसः ॥२-३३-३॥
The gods and divine sages, endowed with immeasurable energy, assembled in the abode of Brahmā and, while engaged in another ritual, began to converse. (2-33-3)
इदमेवं न चाप्येवमेवमेतन्न चान्यथा। इत्यूचुर्बहवस्तत्र वितण्डानाः परस्परम् ॥२-३३-४॥
Many disputants there said to each other: "This is so, not so, also so, thus, this is not so, and not otherwise." (2-33-4)
कृशानर्थांस्तथा केचिदकृशांस्तत्र कुर्वते। अकृशांश्च कृशांश्चक्रुर्हेतुभिः शास्त्रनिश्चितैः ॥२-३३-५॥
Some make lean ones as the object, likewise some make not-lean ones there; both lean and not-lean ones are made so by causes determined by śāstra. (2-33-5)
तत्र मेधाविनः केचिदर्थमन्यैः प्रपूरितम्। विचिक्षिपुर्यथा श्येना नभोगतमिवामिषम् ॥२-३३-६॥
There, some wise men disputed the meaning that had been filled in by others, just as hawks dispute over meat that has flown up into the sky. (2-33-6)
केचिद्धर्मार्थसंयुक्ताः कथास्तत्र महाव्रताः। रेमिरे कथयन्तश्च सर्ववेदविदां वराः ॥२-३३-७॥
There, some of the great vow-holders delighted in stories connected with dharma and artha, and the best among all the knowers of the Vedas narrated them. (2-33-7)
सा वेदिर्वेदसम्पन्नैर्देवद्विजमहर्षिभिः। आबभासे समाकीर्णा नक्षत्रैर्द्यौरिवामला ॥२-३३-८॥
That altar, filled with gods, Brahmins, and great sages endowed with Vedic knowledge, shone like the spotless sky filled with stars. (2-33-8)
न तस्यां संनिधौ शूद्रः कश्चिदासीन्न चाव्रतः। अन्तर्वेद्यां तदा राजन्युधिष्ठिरनिवेशने ॥२-३३-९॥
O king, at that time, in the residence of Yudhiṣṭhira, within the sacred enclosure, there was not a single Śūdra or anyone lacking in discipline. (2-33-9)
तां तु लक्ष्मीवतो लक्ष्मीं तदा यज्ञविधानजाम्। तुतोष नारदः पश्यन्धर्मराजस्य धीमतः ॥२-३३-१०॥
But Nārada, seeing Lakṣmī, the Lakṣmī of the prosperous one, then born of the arrangement of sacrifice, was pleased with the wise Dharmarāja. (2-33-10)
अथ चिन्तां समापेदे स मुनिर्मनुजाधिप। नारदस्तं तदा पश्यन्सर्वक्षत्रसमागमम् ॥२-३३-११॥
Then the sage, the king of men, became absorbed in thought. At that time, Nārada, seeing him and the gathering of all the kṣatriyas, (spoke). (2-33-11)
सस्मार च पुरावृत्तां कथां तां भरतर्षभ। अंशावतरणे यासौ ब्रह्मणो भवनेऽभवत् ॥२-३३-१२॥
O best of the Bharatas, he remembered that ancient story which had happened in the abode of Brahmā at the time of the partial descent. (2-33-12)
देवानां सङ्गमं तं तु विज्ञाय कुरुनन्दन। नारदः पुण्डरीकाक्षं सस्मार मनसा हरिम् ॥२-३३-१३॥
O Kurunandana, having understood that assembly of the gods, Nārada remembered Hari, the lotus-eyed one, with his mind. (2-33-13)
साक्षात्स विबुधारिघ्नः क्षत्रे नारायणो विभुः। प्रतिज्ञां पालयन्धीमाञ्जातः परपुरञ्जयः ॥२-३३-१४॥
He, who is directly Nārāyaṇa, the all-pervading destroyer of the enemies of the gods, was born in the warrior class as a wise one, upholding his vow and conquering enemy cities. (2-33-14)
संदिदेश पुरा योऽसौ विबुधान्भूतकृत्स्वयम्। अन्योन्यमभिनिघ्नन्तः पुनर्लोकानवाप्स्यथ ॥२-३३-१५॥
He who once instructed, that very creator of beings himself, the wise ones, as you strike each other, you will again attain the worlds. (2-33-15)
इति नारायणः शम्भुर्भगवाञ्जगतः प्रभुः। आदिश्य विबुधान्सर्वानजायत यदुक्षये ॥२-३३-१६॥
Thus, Nārāyaṇa, Śambhu, the Lord and master of the world, after instructing all the gods, was born at the time of the destruction of the Yadus. (2-33-16)
क्षितावन्धकवृष्णीनां वंशे वंशभृतां वरः। परया शुशुभे लक्ष्म्या नक्षत्राणामिवोडुराट् ॥२-३३-१७॥
On earth, in the line of the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, the best among the upholders of the lineage shone with supreme splendor, just as the moon shines among the stars. (2-33-17)
यस्य बाहुबलं सेन्द्राः सुराः सर्व उपासते। सोऽयं मानुषवन्नाम हरिरास्तेऽरिमर्दनः ॥२-३३-१८॥
He whose arm strength is worshipped by all the gods along with Indra—this Hari, called by that name, dwells here like a human, the destroyer of enemies. (2-33-18)
अहो बत महद्भूतं स्वयम्भूर्यदिदं स्वयम्। आदास्यति पुनः क्षत्रमेवं बलसमन्वितम् ॥२-३३-१९॥
Indeed, what a great wonder! The self-born Brahmā himself will once again restore the kṣatriya race, endowed with strength. (2-33-19)
इत्येतां नारदश्चिन्तां चिन्तयामास धर्मवित्। हरिं नारायणं ज्ञात्वा यज्ञैरीड्यं तमीश्वरम् ॥२-३३-२०॥
Thus, Nārada, the knower of dharma, pondered this thought. Realizing Hari, Nārāyaṇa, the Lord who is worthy of praise through sacrifices. (2-33-20)
तस्मिन्धर्मविदां श्रेष्ठो धर्मराजस्य धीमतः। महाध्वरे महाबुद्धिस्तस्थौ स बहुमानतः ॥२-३३-२१॥
There, the foremost among the knowers of dharma, the wise Dharmarāja, stood at the great sacrifice with great respect. (2-33-21)
ततो भीष्मोऽब्रवीद्राजन्धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम्। क्रियतामर्हणं राज्ञां यथार्हमिति भारत ॥२-३३-२२॥
Then Bhīṣma said to King Yudhiṣṭhira, the Dharmarāja: "Let the honoring of the kings be performed as is appropriate," O Bhārata. (2-33-22)
आचार्यमृत्विजं चैव संयुक्तं च युधिष्ठिर। स्नातकं च प्रियं चाहुः षडर्घ्यार्हान्नृपं तथा ॥२-३३-२३॥
They say that the teacher, the priest, one who has completed studies, a dear one, the king, and one who is associated (with these), O Yudhishthira, are the six persons worthy of receiving arghya. (2-33-23)
एतानर्हानभिगतानाहुः संवत्सरोषितान्। त इमे कालपूगस्य महतोऽस्मानुपागताः ॥२-३३-२४॥
They said, "These worthy ones who have arrived have dwelt for a year. These, from the great group of time, have now come to us." (2-33-24)
एषामेकैकशो राजन्नर्घ्यमानीयतामिति। अथ चैषां वरिष्ठाय समर्थायोपनीयताम् ॥२-३३-२५॥
O king, let the arghya offering be brought for each of these, one by one. Then, let it be presented to the most eminent and capable among them. (2-33-25)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
कस्मै भवान्मन्यतेऽर्घमेकस्मै कुरुनन्दन। उपनीयमानं युक्तं च तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥२-३३-२६॥
O grandsire, to whom do you think the offering should be given, O joy of the Kurus? Please tell me what is proper regarding the offering being brought.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
ततो भीष्मः शान्तनवो बुद्ध्या निश्चित्य भारत। वार्ष्णेयं मन्यते कृष्णमर्हणीयतमं भुवि ॥२-३३-२७॥
Then Bhishma, son of Shantanu, after careful consideration, O Bharata, regarded Krishna, the descendant of Vrishni, as the most worthy of worship on earth. (2-33-27)
एष ह्येषां समेतानां तेजोबलपराक्रमैः। मध्ये तपन्निवाभाति ज्योतिषामिव भास्करः ॥२-३३-२८॥
He, indeed, among all these assembled warriors, by his splendor, strength, and valor, shines in the midst like the sun among the luminaries. (2-33-28)
असूर्यमिव सूर्येण निवातमिव वायुना। भासितं ह्लादितं चैव कृष्णेनेदं सदो हि नः ॥२-३३-२९॥
Just as a place without sunlight is illuminated by the sun and a place without wind is refreshed by the wind, so too has this assembly truly been brightened and gladdened by Kṛṣṇa for us. (2-33-29)
तस्मै भीष्माभ्यनुज्ञातः सहदेवः प्रतापवान्। उपजह्रेऽथ विधिवद्वार्ष्णेयायार्घ्यमुत्तमम् ॥२-३३-३०॥
Then, with Bhīṣma's permission, the mighty Sahadeva duly offered the highest mark of respect to Kṛṣṇa, the descendant of Vṛṣṇi. (2-33-30)
प्रतिजग्राह तत्कृष्णः शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा। शिशुपालस्तु तां पूजां वासुदेवे न चक्षमे ॥२-३३-३१॥
Kṛṣṇa accepted it according to the prescribed rites of the śāstra, but Śiśupāla could not tolerate that honor being given to Vāsudeva. (2-33-31)
स उपालभ्य भीष्मं च धर्मराजं च संसदि। अपाक्षिपद्वासुदेवं चेदिराजो महाबलः ॥२-३३-३२॥
He, the mighty king of Chedi, after reproaching Bhishma and Dharmaraja in the assembly, also censured Vasudeva. (2-33-32)
