Chapter 55

“Astika said, ‘Soma and Varuna and Prajapati performed sacrifices of oldin Prayaga. But thy sacrifice, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son ofParikshit, is not inferior to any of those. Let those dear unto us beblessed! Sakra performed a hundred sacrifices.

But this sacrifice ofthine, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Parikshit, is fullyequal to ten thousand sacrifices of Sakra. Let those dear unto us beblessed! Like the sacrifice of Yama, of Harimedha, or of king Rantideva,is the sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son ofParikshit. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like the sacrifice of Maya,of king Sasavindu, or of king Vaisravana, is this sacrifice of thine, Oforemost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Satyavati, in which he himselfwas the chief priest, is this sacrifice of Nriga, of Ajamida, of the sonof Dasaratha, is this sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata’srace, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like thesacrifice of king Yudhishthira, the son of a god and belonging to Ajamidarace, heard of (even) in the heavens, is this sacrifice of thine. Oforemost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Parikshit, let those dear untous be blessed! Like the sacrifice of Krishna (Dwaipayana), the son ofSatyavati, in which he himself was the chief priest, is this sacrifice ofthine, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Parikshit Let thosedear unto us be blessed! These (Ritwiks and Sadasyas) that are hereengaged in making thy sacrifice, like unto that of the slayer of Vritra,are of splendour equal to that of the sun. There now remains nothing forthem to know, and gifts made to them become inexhaustible (in merit). Itis my conviction that there is no Ritwik in all the worlds who is equalto thy Ritwik, Dwaipayana. His disciples, becoming Ritwiks, competent fortheir duties, travel over the earth. The high-souled bearer of libation(viz., Agni), called also Vibhavasu and Chitrabhanu, having gold for hisvital seed and having his path, marked by black smoke, blazing up withflames inclined to the right, beareth these thy libations of clarifiedbutter to the gods. In this world of men there is no other monarch equalto thee in the protection of subjects. I am ever well-pleased with thyabstinence. Indeed, thou art either Varuna, or Yama, the god of Justice.Like Sakra himself, thunderbolt in hand, thou art, in this world, theprotector of all creatures. In this earth there is no man so great asthou and no monarch who is thy equal in sacrifice. Thou art likeKhatwanga, Nabhaga, and Dilipa. In prowess thou art like Yayati andMandhatri. In splendour equal to the sun, and of excellent vows, thou artO monarch, like Bhishma! Like Valmiki thou art of energy concealed. LikeVasishtha thou hast controlled thy wrath. Like Indra is thy lordship. Thysplendour also shines like that of Narayana. Like Yama art thouconversant with the dispensation of justice. Thou art like Krishnaadorned with every virtue. Thou art the home of the good fortune thatbelongs to the Vasus. Thou art also the refuge of the sacrifices. Instrength thou art equal to Damvodbhava. Like Rama (the son of Jamadagni)thou art conversant with the scriptures and arms. In energy thou artequal to Aurva and Trita. Thou inspirest terror by thy looks likeBhagiratha.’

“Sauti said, ‘Astika, having thus adored them, gratified them all, viz.,the king, the Sadasyas, the Ritwiks and the sacrificial fire. And kingJanamejaya beholding the signs and indications manifested all around,addressed them as follows.'”