02.033
Pancharatra: Instructed by Bhishma, Krishna is offered the highest honour.
Vaiśampāyana said.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
That altar, filled with gods, Brahmins, and great sages endowed with Vedic knowledge, shone like the spotless sky filled with stars. (2-33-8)
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)
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)
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)
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)
O Kurunandana, having understood that assembly of the gods, Nārada remembered Hari, the lotus-eyed one, with his mind. (2-33-13)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Indeed, what a great wonder! The self-born Brahmā himself will once again restore the kṣatriya race, endowed with strength. (2-33-19)
Thus, Nārada, the knower of dharma, pondered this thought. Realizing Hari, Nārāyaṇa, the Lord who is worthy of praise through sacrifices. (2-33-20)
There, the foremost among the knowers of dharma, the wise Dharmarāja, stood at the great sacrifice with great respect. (2-33-21)
Then Bhīṣma said to King Yudhiṣṭhira, the Dharmarāja: "Let the honoring of the kings be performed as is appropriate," O Bhārata. (2-33-22)
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)
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)
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)
Yudhishthira said.
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.
Vaiśampāyana said.
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)
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)
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)
Then, with Bhīṣma's permission, the mighty Sahadeva duly offered the highest mark of respect to Kṛṣṇa, the descendant of Vṛṣṇi. (2-33-30)
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)
He, the mighty king of Chedi, after reproaching Bhishma and Dharmaraja in the assembly, also censured Vasudeva. (2-33-32)
