14.092
Janamejaya said.
Whatever wondrous thing happened in the sacrifice of the wise son of Dharma, O revered one, you are worthy to speak of that to me. (14-92-1)
Vaiśampāyana said.
O noble king, listen to the great and excellent wonder that happened, O mighty one, when the great horse sacrifice was completed. (14-92-2)
O best of the Bharatas, then (offerings) were made to the satisfied ones, the foremost of twice-born, among relatives, kinsmen, friends, and also to the destitute, the blind, and the miserable. (14-92-3)
O Bhārata, while the great charity was being announced in all directions and showers of flowers were falling upon the head of Dharmarāja. (14-92-4)
O lord of men, then, the mongoose with golden sides emerged from the hole and uttered a sound equal to the thunderbolt and thunder, O sinless one. (14-92-5)
Once, having uttered that sound and frightening the beasts and birds, the great and bold cave-dweller spoke human words. (14-92-6)
O kings, for you, this sacrifice is not equal to a measure of parched grain offered by the generous one who lives by gleaning, the inhabitant of Kurukṣetra. (14-92-7)
O lord of men, having heard those words of Nakula, all those foremost among Brāhmaṇas were greatly astonished. (14-92-8)
Then, having approached Nakula, those Brahmins asked him, "From where have you come to this sacrifice and the good assembly?" (14-92-9)
What is your supreme power? What knowledge do you possess? What is your highest refuge? How can we know you, who find fault with our sacrifice? (14-92-10)
The entire ritual, without violating the scriptural authority, was performed by the learned priests. It should be done as prescribed by scripture, as per the proper method, and as it was previously performed. (14-92-11)
Here, those worthy of worship, when worshipped according to proper procedure and with scriptural insight, and when offerings are purified by mantras and consigned to the fire, what is to be given should be given without malice. (14-92-12)
Here, the eminent Brāhmaṇas are satisfied by various gifts, and the ancestors of kṣatriyas by noble battles and funeral offerings. (14-92-13)
The people are satisfied by protection, excellent women by the fulfillment of desires, śūdras by compassion, and other people by the remnants of gifts. (14-92-14)
The king's purity pleases our relatives and allies; the gods, having taken refuge, are satisfied by meritorious oblations and acts of protection. (14-92-15)
Speak here whatever is the truth, O truth-abiding one among the twice-born. As you have heard, as you have seen, (when) asked out of desire for the Brāhmaṇa. (14-92-16)
O wise one whose words are trustworthy, you possess a divine form; and as you have come together with the Brāhmaṇas, you are fit to speak the truth in reality. (14-92-17)
Thus, when questioned by those twice-born, Nakula, smiling, said: "This speech was not uttered falsely by me, nor was it spoken out of pride, O twice-born." (14-92-18)
O lords of men, this act of offering you a measure of parched grain, which I have spoken of and which you also have heard, is not equal to the sacrifice performed by the generous person living by gleaning in Kurukṣetra. (14-92-19)
Therefore this certainly must be told by me to you, O foremost of Brahmins. Listen attentively and without distraction to my narration, O greatest among the twice-born. (14-92-20)
I have told, just as it happened, the most wonderful and excellent things experienced and seen by me regarding the gleaner's mode of life of the inhabitant of Kurukṣetra. (14-92-21)
By whom the twice-born, along with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law, attained heaven, just as half of my body has become golden—this is so. (14-92-22)
