07.058
Sanjaya said:
While Krishna and Daruka were conversing, the night passed, and then the king awoke, O King.
The bards, minstrels, and officiants recited praises, while the heralds and charioteers extolled the best of men.
The dancers performed while the singers sang sweet praises of the Kuru dynasty with their melodious voices.
Drums, cymbals, kettle-drums, small and large drums, trumpets, big drums, conches, and loud-sounding drums were played.
Thus, O Bharata, all these and other skilled and well-trained musicians played joyfully.
The great noise, resembling the sound of clouds, reached the sky and awakened Yudhishthira, the best of kings, from his sleep.
After waking up from a comfortable sleep on the luxurious bed, he got up and went to the bathroom to attend to his necessary duties.
Then, one hundred and eight young ones, dressed in white and having bathed, stood ready with golden pots filled with water.
Seated comfortably in an auspicious posture, wearing a light garment, he took a bath with water consecrated and mixed with sandalwood.
The place was thoroughly cleansed with astringent substances by strong and well-trained individuals, and it was immersed in fragrant water with added perfumes.
The great-armed hero, adorned with sandalwood paste applied by the deer, stood facing east, wearing a garland and clean clothes, with his hands folded in reverence.
The son of Kunti, having practiced the path of the virtuous, chanted the sacred chant and then humbly entered the blazing fire refuge.
He kindled the fire with pure offerings and mantras, worshipped it, and then left the house.
The king, a distinguished figure among men, stepped out of the second chamber and saw the learned Brahmins, the most esteemed among the Brahmins, present there.
There were eight thousand followers who were disciplined, versed in Vedic rituals, and had bathed in the concluding ceremonies.
The great-armed hero performed the ritual by reciting mantras with offerings of unbroken grains and flowers, and honored the Brahmins with honey, ghee, and the finest fruits and auspicious items.
Pāṇḍava gave each Brahmin a gold nishka, along with adorned horses, garments, and other desired gifts.
Thus, O son of Pandu, after giving tawny cows that are milking and accompanied by bulls, with golden horns and silver hooves, performed a circumambulation.
There are auspicious marks, growing Nandyavarta flowers, golden garlands, water pots, and a blazing fire.
There are full unbroken vessels, ornaments, and fragrances, along with well-decorated auspicious maidens, curd, ghee, honey, and water.
The son of Kunti, after observing and touching the auspicious birds and other revered items, proceeded to the outer chamber.
Then the attendants of the mighty-armed one, standing by, were adorned with golden ornaments, pearls, and cat's eye gems, making them auspicious from all sides.
They brought a divine and excellent seat, adorned with rich coverings and crafted by Vishvakarma.
There, the attendants brought all kinds of very valuable and bright ornaments for the great soul who was seated.
The appearance of the noble son of Kunti, adorned with ornaments and attire, was a source of great sorrow to his enemies, O great king.
The scene was resplendent with white moonbeams, golden rods, and fans being waved, resembling a cloud illuminated by lightning.
The descendant of Kuru was seated, being praised by charioteers, honored by bards, and sung by Gandharvas.
After a moment, there arose a great clamor from the bards, accompanied by the rumbling of chariot wheels and the pounding of horse hooves.
The earth seemed to tremble with the sound of elephant bells, conches, and the footsteps of men.
Then, having reached the pure end, he stood on the ground on his knees, bowed his head, and saluted the lord of the world, who is worthy of worship.
The young man, equipped with a coiled sword and armor, bowed his head and the doorkeeper informed Dharmaputra that Hrishikesha had arrived to the great soul.
The noble man, known as the tiger among men, welcomed Mādhava warmly and instructed that the offering and the seat, both highly revered, be presented to him.
Then Yudhishthira, after bringing in Krishna, seating him on the best seat and honoring him, asked him questions.
