14.010
Indra said.
Indeed, this power derived from Brahman is the greatest; nothing else is greater than Brahman. But I will not endure the strength of Āvikṣita; I will strike him fiercely with the thunderbolt. (14-10-1)
Dhritarashtra has sent (you); go to Marutta, speak to him who is with Samvarta. Instruct Brihaspati, O king; otherwise, I shall strike you with a terrible thunderbolt. (14-10-2)
Vyāsa said.
Then, having gone, Dhritarashtra spoke this message of Vasava to the king: 'O king, know me as the Gandharva Dhritarashtra, come to you wishing to speak.' (14-10-3)
"O lion among kings, listen to the statement relating to Indra that the great lord of the world spoke: 'Select Bṛhaspati as your officiating priest, or I will strike you with the terrible thunderbolt.' If you do not do what I have said, so much was declared by him of inconceivable deeds." (14-10-4)
Marut said.
You, as well as Purandara, the Viśvedevās, the Vasus, and the Ashvins, all know this; regarding expiation for betrayal of a friend, there is always debate in the world as to whether it truly exists. (14-10-5)
Bṛhaspati, who performed sacrifices for Mahendra, the best among the gods and foremost among those who bear the thunderbolt. Saṃvarta should make me perform the sacrifice today, O king; I am not pleased with your words or his. (14-10-6)
The gandharva said.
A terrible sound of Indra is heard; O lion among kings, he is roaring in the sky. Clearly, Mahendra is about to release his thunderbolt. O king, your safety should be considered at this time. (14-10-7)
Vyāsa said.
Thus, when addressed in this manner by Dhritarashtra, the king, upon hearing the roar of Vāsava, caused the task to be conveyed to Samvarta, who is ever devoted to austerities and the foremost among those who know dharma. (14-10-8)
Marutta said.
I have come to this floating stone, having crossed a great distance, and because of that I am not visible today. I seek refuge in you, O foremost of Brāhmaṇas; therefore, O chief of Brāhmaṇas, please grant me safety. (14-10-9)
Indeed, this wielder of the thunderbolt is approaching, illuminating the ten directions with a terrible, superhuman brilliance; the members of our assembly are truly frightened. (14-10-10)
Saṁvarta said.
O king-lion, may your fear of Indra be dispelled; I shall drive away this most terrible fear. By the restraining knowledge, and quickly too, do not be afraid—be confident from this as well. (14-10-11)
O king, I shall restrain them; do not be afraid of Indra. I have destroyed the weapons of all the gods. (14-10-12)
Let the thunderbolt move through the directions, let the wind arise; let rain descend into the forests. Let the waters float in the sky and idly; let lightning be seen, do not fear. (14-10-13)
Now then, may fire protect you on all sides, or let Indra rain as he wishes; likewise, let his thunderbolt be placed, and let the wind bring very terrible floods floating with waters. (14-10-14)
Marutta said;
A terrible sound is indeed heard, a great roar; this is the thunderbolt combined with the wind. My mind is deeply disturbed again and again; no well-being arises for me today, O brāhmaṇa. (14-10-15)
Saṁvarta said.
Let your fear of the thunderbolt and terror now depart; I, having become wind, O king, will shatter the thunderbolt. Cast off fear and ask for another boon; what desire of yours can I fulfill through my tapas? (14-10-16)
Marutta said.
May Indra directly approach with force, O Brahmin; may he accept the offering in the sacrifice as well. May the gods enjoy their own seats, and may they also accept the pressed Soma. (14-10-17)
Saṁvarta said.
O King, this Indra, accompanied by the tawny horses and all the gods, the Soma-drinker, comes here. Invoked by mantra, see today this sacrifice performed by me—behold it, its body loosened by mantra. (14-10-18)
Vyāsa said.
Then, accompanied by the gods, the king of the gods, after having yoked those chief horses to his chariot, came to the sacrifice of King Rāvikṣita, desiring to drink the Soma of that immeasurable one. (14-10-19)
Marutta, accompanied by his priest, went forth to meet him as he was approaching together with the bands of gods; being pleased, he performed excellent worship to the king of gods in the prescribed manner according to the teaching. (14-10-20)
Saṁvarta said;
Welcome to you here, O much-invoked and wise Indra; today, this sacrifice shines even more with your presence, O strong slayer of Vṛtra. Please drink the Soma pressed and offered by me. (14-10-21)
Marutta said.
See me with auspiciousness, and let there be homage to you; the sacrifice has been accomplished, my life is fruitful. This sacrifice is being performed for me by him who, by birth, is inferior to Bṛhaspati, O lord of gods. (14-10-22)
Indra said.
I know your guru—this ascetic endowed with austerities, the younger brother of Bṛhaspati, powerful in brilliance; summoned by him I have come, O king, but today my affection and regard for you is gone. (14-10-23)
Saṁvarta said.
If you are indeed pleased, O king of the gods, then therefore you yourself direct the arrangements of the sacrifice. You yourself establish all the paths, O lord of the gods; let both this and all the worlds know, O god. (14-10-24)
Vyāsa said.
Thus, when Indra had been addressed by Āṅgirasa (Bṛhaspati), he himself ordered the gods: "Let assembly halls and principal residences, wondrous and prosperous, be built in thousands upon the earth." (14-10-25)
Set up pillars and make platforms quickly for the Gandharvas and Apsarases, so that thousands of Apsarases may dance upon them; let the sacrificial enclosure be made as though it were heaven itself. (14-10-26)
Thus addressed, the celestial beings quickly and confidently acted as Indra had spoken, O king of men. Then Indra, pleased and honoring Marutta, spoke these words to the king. (14-10-27)
This person, having joined you here, O king, together with the other former kings of your line, and all other deities who are pleased, may accept the oblation from you, O king. (14-10-28)
Let them offer a red animal for Agni, and for the Viśvedeva-s, an animal of many forms and radiance. A dark bull that is fit for sacrifice should be specially offered; an animal with a moving penis, as prescribed by me, O best of the twice-born. (14-10-29)
Then, the sacrifice of that king prospered; at which the gods themselves accepted the offerings. There, Śakra, worshipped by Brāhmaṇas, became a golden-bodied member of the assembly, the king of the gods. (14-10-30)
Then the great soul Saṁvarta, having gone to the altar, like a second blazing fire, among the oblations, loudly invoked the assemblies of gods and offered them into the fire with the mantras, being fully satisfied. (14-10-31)
Then, having drunk the excellent Soma, Indra and all the other Soma-drinking gods, the heavenly beings, having been permitted by the king, departed as they wished, satisfied and pleased. (14-10-32)
Joyfully, the king had heaps of gold made at every step; distributing abundant wealth to the twice-born, he shone like Kubera, the destroyer of foes. (14-10-33)
Then, having assembled various kinds of wealth and arranged the treasury as he was able, permitted by his elder and having returned, he ruled over the entire earth bounded by the ocean. (14-10-34)
Here, a king thus-endowed was born, in whose sacrifice there was abundant gold. Taking that wealth, O king, perform sacrifice to the gods, satisfying them with proper rites. (14-10-35)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then King Yudhiṣṭhira of the Pāṇḍavas, gladdened by hearing the words of Satyavatī's son, resolved to perform a sacrifice with that wealth. Then he once again consulted with his ministers. (14-10-36)
