09.040
Library: Story of Dalbhya and Baka and why animal sacrifice is inappropriate.
Vaishampayana said:
The descendant of Yadu went to the place filled with sages born of Brahma, where Dalbhya and Baka, O king, the great ascetic, performed sacrifices for the welfare of cattle, in the kingdom of Dhritarashtra, son of Vicitravirya.
The righteous soul, indeed glorious, was emaciating his own body through severe penance and was overcome by great anger.
Once, indeed, after the twelve-year sacrificial session of the residents of Naimiṣa was completed at the end of Viśvajit, the sages went to the land of the Pāñcālas.
There, the wise sages requested the lord for a gift of twenty-one strong and healthy calves.
The old crane instructed them to divide the animals, saying, "I will leave these animals and go to beg from the best of kings."
After addressing all the sages, the illustrious Brahmin proceeded to the palace of King Dhritarashtra.
He approached King Dhritarashtra and requested cattle from Dalbhya. Dalbhya, being angry, responded to him.
By chance, having seen the dead cows, then, O best of kings, if you wish, lead these animals quickly, O twice-born.
The sage, who was a knower of dharma, upon hearing the words, thought deeply. He lamented, "Alas, indeed, I have been spoken to with cruel words in the assembly."
After contemplating for a moment and being overwhelmed with anger, the esteemed sage decided to bring about the downfall of King Dhritarashtra.
He, O best of the twice-born, once offered the flesh of the dead to the kingdom of King Dhritarashtra.
At the pilgrimage site of Sarasvati, Baka Dalbhya, the great king, kindled a fire and, firmly observing his vow, offered his kingdom with flesh, demonstrating his great asceticism.
In that ritual, which was conducted according to the prescribed rules and was extremely dreadful, the kingdom of Dhritarashtra was subsequently destroyed, O king.
O lord, as an endless forest is cut down with an axe, it was destroyed and scattered, lifeless.
Upon witnessing the scattered state of the kingdom, the ruler became troubled and began to ponder over the situation, O king.
In the past, for the sake of liberation, the king made efforts along with the Brahmins. Then, the king became distressed, and so did the Brahmins, O king.
When the king finds himself unable to free the kingdom, Janamejaya then inquired of the assembly of questioners present there.
Then the inquirers said, "The animal is harmed by you, and the sage Baka offers sacrifices with meat in your kingdom."
By that sacrifice, your kingdom faces great destruction. This act of penance is the cause of your great misfortune. In the grove of Sarasvati's waters, please him, O king.
The king, after reaching the river Sarasvati, addressed Baka. He prostrated himself on the ground, head down, with folded hands, O best of the Bharatas.
I seek your forgiveness, O Lord, for my offenses. I am wretched, greedy, and my mind is destroyed by foolishness. You are my refuge and my lord; please bestow your grace upon me.
Seeing him lamenting in such a way, whose mind was troubled by grief, compassion arose in him and he liberated the kingdom.
The sage, being pleased, abandoned his anger and offered oblations again for the liberation of his kingdom.
"Having freed the kingdom and reclaimed many animals, the joyful soul returned once more to Naimisharanya."
Dhritarashtra, known for his virtue and calm demeanor, returned to his prosperous city as its king.
At that holy place, O great king, Bṛhaspati, with his noble intellect, aimed to destroy the demons and ensure the prosperity of the celestial beings.
The demons, having offered sacrifices with flesh, were then diminished. The gods, along with the victorious ones, shattered them in battle.
There, the great illustrious one also properly gave horses, elephants, and chariots equipped with mules to the Brahmins.
The mighty-armed one, possessing very precious gems, wealth, and abundant grains, went to the pilgrimage site, O lord of the earth.
In the sacrifice conducted by Yayati, O great king, the river Sarasvati flowed with ghee and milk for the great soul Nahusha.
There, after performing sacrifices, the noble Yayati, king of the earth, joyfully ascended to the heavens and attained abundant realms.
O King, in the place where Sarasvati flowed for Yayati, the performer of sacrifices, she fulfilled the desires of the great Brahmins.
Wherever the brahmin desires something, the best of rivers creates many essences there.
There, the gods and Gandharvas were delighted by the wealth of the sacrifice, while the humans were amazed upon witnessing it.
Then Tālaketu, a great soul and the embodiment of dharma, known for his generosity and self-realization, approached Vasiṣṭha's vehicle, which was of immense and fearsome speed, with a steadfast and controlled mind.
