03.243
Vaiśampāyana said.
As he was entering, O great king, the charioteers praised Acyuta, and the people also praised the mighty archer, the foremost among kings. (03-243-1)
Having sprinkled parched grains and sandalwood powders, the people then said, 'O king, by good fortune, this sacrifice of yours is completed without obstacle.' (03-243-2)
However, others—the Vātika Brahmins—said to the king there: 'This sacrifice is in no way equal to the sacrifice of Yudhiṣṭhira. Truly, this sacrifice does not even deserve the sixteenth part of his.' (03-243-3)
Thus, there some of the opposed spoke to the king of men. But the friends said there, "This sacrifice surpasses all others." (03-243-4)
Yayāti, Nahuṣa, Māndhātā, and likewise Bharata—all of them, having performed this sacrifice and thus purified, went to heaven. (03-243-5)
Hearing these auspicious words of his friends, O bull among the Bharatas, the king gladly entered the city and his own house. (03-243-6)
Then, having saluted the feet of his mother and father, O lord of men, and also the feet of the wise Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and Vidura. (03-243-7)
Saluted by his younger brothers, the loving elder sat on the chief seat, surrounded by his brothers. (03-243-8)
Having risen, O great king, the son of the charioteer said: "Fortunately, O best of the Bharatas, this great sacrifice of yours has been completed." (03-243-9)
O best of men, when the sons of Pṛthā were slain in battle and at the rājasūya sacrifice, and when I am brought again by you, I shall honor you once more. (03-243-10)
The greatly renowned king, son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, spoke to him: "O hero, what you say about the Pāṇḍavas being evil-minded is true." (03-243-11)
O best among men, when they have been slain and the great sacrifice is accomplished, at the Rājasūya, again, O hero, you will honor me. (03-243-12)
Having said this, the wise Kaurava embraced Karna, O Bhārata, and began to contemplate the rājasūya, the foremost of sacrifices. (03-243-13)
He, the best of kings, also said to the friends standing nearby: 'When, after having slain all the Pāṇḍavas, will I bring that Rājasūya sacrifice, full of great wealth, O Kauravas?' (03-243-14)
Then Karṇa said to him: "Listen to me, O king. I shall not move my feet until Arjuna has been slain." (03-243-15)
Then, the great archers, the mighty chariot-warriors, the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, raised a shout. When Karṇa vowed in battle to slay Arjuna, the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra also believed that the Pāṇḍavas were vanquished. (3-243-16)
Duryodhana also, O king, after sending away the foremost of men, entered his house, the prosperous lord as into Chaitraratha. The others, all the great archers, also went to their own houses, O Bhārata. (03-243-17)
The Pāṇḍavas, great archers, urged by the messenger's words, kept pondering that very matter and did not find happiness anywhere. (03-243-18)
O king, again spies have confirmed the news: the charioteer's son has vowed to destroy Vijaya. (03-243-19)
Upon hearing this, the son of Dharma, the king, became disturbed; reflecting on Karṇa, possessed of impenetrable armor and marvelous valor, and dwelling on his troubles, he did not find peace. (03-243-20)
In that great-souled one, overwhelmed by anxiety, the thought arose to abandon the Dvaita forest, which was filled with many serpents and wild animals. (03-243-21)
The son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the king, also ruled the earth together with his brothers and with heroes like Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Kṛpa. (03-243-22)
After meeting with the son of the charioteer Karṇa, who excelled in battle, Duryodhana the king, ever affectionate, honored the foremost Brāhmaṇas with sacrifices and lavish gifts. (03-243-23)
O king, the heroic vanquisher of foes did what was pleasing for his brothers. Having resolved inwardly, he considered that wealth whose fruits had already been enjoyed through gifts. (03-243-24)
