Chapter 253

Vaisampayana continued, “O king, O lord of men, that slayer of hostileheroes, the Suta’s son, said these words to Duryodhana, ‘O KauravaDuryodhana, do thou lay unto thy heart the words that I shall tell thee;and, O represser of foes, after having heard my words, it behoveth theeto act accordingly every way. Now, O best of monarchs, O hero, hath theearth been rid of foes. Do thou rule her even like the mighty-mindedSakra himself, having his foes destroyed.”

Vaisampayana continued, “Having been thus addressed by Karna, the kingagain spake unto him, saying, ‘O bull among men, nothing whatever isunattainable to him who hath thee for refuge, and to whom thou artattached and on whose welfare thou art entirely intent. Now, I have apurpose, which do thou truly listen to. Having beheld that foremost ofsacrifices, the mighty Rajasuya, performed by the Pandavas, a desire hathsprung up in me (to celebrate the same). Do thou, O Suta’s son, fulfilthis desire of mine.’ Thus addressed, Karna spake thus unto the king,’Now that all the rulers of the earth have been brought under thysubjection, do thou summon the principal Brahmanas, and, O best of Kurus,duly procure the articles required for the sacrifice. And, O represser offoes, let Ritwijas as prescribed, and versed in the Vedas, celebrate thyrites according to the ordinance, O king. And, O bull of the Bharatarace, let thy great sacrifice also, abounding in meats and drinks, andgrand with parts, commence.’

“O king, having been thus addressed by Karna, Dhritarashtra’s sonsummoned the priest, and spake unto him these words, ‘Do thou duly and inproper order celebrate for me that best of sacrifices, the Rajasuyafurnished with excellent Dakshinas.’ Thus accosted, that best ofBrahmanas spake unto the king, saying, ‘O foremost of the Kauravas, whileYudhishthira is living, that best of sacrifices cannot be performed inthy family, O Prince of kings! Further, O monarch, thy fatherDhritarashtra, endued with long life, liveth. For this reason also, Obest of kings, this sacrifice cannot be undertaken by thee. There is, Olord, another great sacrifice, resembling the Rajasuya. Do thou, Oforemost of kings, celebrate that sacrifice. Listen to these words ofmine. All these rulers of the earth, who have, O king, become tributaryto thee, will pay thee tribute in gold, both pure and impure. Of thatgold, do thou, O best of monarchs, now make the (sacrificial) plough, anddo thou, O Bharata, plough the sacrificial compound with it. At thatspot, let there commence, O foremost of kings, with due rites, andwithout any disturbance the sacrifice, sanctified with mantras aboundingin edibles. The name of that sacrifice worthy of virtuous persons, isVaishnava. No person save the ancient Vishnu hath performed it before.This mighty sacrifice vies with that best of sacrifices–the Rajasuyaitself. And, further, it liketh us–and it is also for thy welfare (tocelebrate it). And, moreover, it is capable of being celebrated withoutany disturbance. (By undertaking this), thy desire will be fufilled.’

“Having been thus addressed by those Brahmanas, Dhritarashtra’s son, theking, spake these words to Karna, his brothers and the son of Suvala,’Beyond doubt, the words of the Brahmanas are entirely liked by me. Ifthey are relished by you also, express it without delay.’ Thus appealed,they all said unto the king, ‘So be it.’ Then the king one by oneappointed persons to their respective tasks; and desired all the artisansto construct the (sacrificial) plough. And, O best of kings, all that hadbeen commanded to be done, was gradually executed.”