Chapter 34

Vaisampayana said,–“then, O king, Yudhishthira, having approached andworshipped his grandfather and his preceptor, addressed Bhishma and Dronaand Kripa and the son of Drona and Duryyodhana and Vivingsati, andsaid,–‘Help me ye all in the mater of this sacrifice. This largetreasure that is here is yours. Consult ye with one another and guide meas ye desire.

“The eldest of the sons of Pandu, who had been installed at thesacrifice, having said this unto all, appointed every one of them tosuitable offices. He appointed Dussasana to superintend the department offood and other enjoyable articles. Aswatthama was asked to attend on theBrahmanas. Sanjaya was appointed to offer return-worship unto the kings.Bhishma and Drona, both endued with great intelligence, were appointed tosee what was done and what was left undone. And the king appointed Kripato look after the diamonds and gold and the pearls and gems, as alsoafter the distribution of gifts to Brahmanas. And so other tigers amongmen were appointed to similar offices. Valhika and Dhritarashtra andSomadatta and Jayadratha, brought thither by Nakula, went about, enjoyingthemselves as lords of the sacrifice. Vidura otherwise called Kshatta,conversant with every rule of morality, became the disburser. Duryyodhanabecame the receiver of the tributes that were brought by the kings.Krishna who was himself the centre of all worlds and round whom movedevery creature, desirous of acquiring excellent fruits, was engaged athis own will in washing the feet of the Brahmanas.

“And desirous of beholding that sacrificial mansion, as also kingYudhishthira the just, none came there with tribute less than a thousand(in number, weight or measure). Everyone honoured the king Yudhishthirathe just with large presents of jewels. And each of the kings made apresent of his wealth, flattering himself with the proud belief that thejewels he gave would enable the Kuru king Yudhisthira to complete hissacrifice. And, O monarch, the sacrificial compound of the illustriousson of Kunti looked extremely handsome–with the multitude of palacesbuilt so as to last for ever and crowded with guards and warriors. Thesewere so high that their tops touched the cars of the gods that came tobehold that sacrifice; as also with the cars themselves of thecelestials, and with the dwelling of the Brahmanas and the mansions madethere for the kings resembling the cars of the celestials and adornedwith gems and filled with every kind of wealth, and lastly with crowds ofthe kings that came there all endued with beauty and wealth. Yudhisthira,as though vying with Varuna himself in wealth, commenced the sacrifice(of Rajasuya) distinguished by six fires and large gifts to Brahmanas.The King gratified everybody with presents of great value and indeed withevery kind of object that one could desire. With abundance of rice and ofevery kind of food, as also with a mass of jewels brought as tribute,that vast concourse consisted of persons every one of whom was fed to thefull. The gods also were gratified at the sacrifice by the Ida, clarifiedbutter, Homa and libations poured by the great Rishis versed in mantrasand pronunciation. Like the gods, the Brahmanas also were gratified withthe sacrificial gifts and food and great wealth. And all the other ordersof men also were gratified at that sacrifice and filled with joy.”