Chapter 41

Vaishampayana said, “The delighter of the Yadus then proceeded to theasylum (of Vaka) which resounded with the chanting of the Vedas.Therethe great ascetic, O king, named Dalvyavaka poured the kingdom ofDhritarashtra, the son of Vichitravirya, as a libation (on thesacrificial fire). By practising very austere penances he emaciated hisown body. Endued with great energy, the virtuous Rishi, filled with greatwrath, (did that act). In former times, the Rishis residing in theNaimisha forest had performed a sacrifice extending for twelve years. Incourse of that sacrifice, after a particular one called Viswajit had beencompleted, the Rishis set out for the country of the Pancalas. Arrivedthere, they solicited the king for giving them one and twenty strong andhealthy calves to be given away as Dakshina (in the sacrifice they havecompleted). Dalvya Vaka, however, (calling those Rishis), said unto them,’Do you divide those animals (of mine) among you! Giving away these (untoyou), I shall solicit a great king (for some).’ Having said so unto allthose Rishis, Vaka of great energy, that best of Brahmanas, thenproceeded to the abode of Dhritarashtra. Arrived at the presence of kingDhritarashtra, Dalvya begged some animals of him. That best of kings,however, seeing that some of his kine died without any cause, angrilysaid unto him. ‘Wretch of a Brahmana, take, if thou likest, these animalsthat (are dead)!’ Hearing these words, the Rishi, conversant with duties,thought, ‘Alas, cruel are the words that have been addressed to me in theassembly!’ Having reflected in this strain, that best of Brahmanas,filled with wrath, set his heart upon the destruction of kingDhritarashtra. Cutting the flesh from off the dead animals, that best ofsages, having ignited a (sacrificial) fire on the tirtha of theSarasvati, poured those pieces as libations for the destruction of kingDhritarashtra’s kingdom. Observant of rigid vows, the great Dalvya Vaka,O monarch, poured Dhritarashtra’s kingdom as a libation on the fire, withthe aid of those pieces of meat. Upon the commencement of that fiercesacrifice according to due rites, the kingdom of Dhritarashtra, Omonarch, began to waste away. Indeed, O lord, the kingdom of that monarchbegan to waste away, even as a large forest begins to disappear when menproceed to cut it down with the axe. Overtaken by calamities, the kingdombegan to lose its prosperity and life. Seeing his kingdom thus afflicted,the puissant monarch, O king, became very cheerless and thoughtful.Consulting with the Brahmanas, he began to make great endeavours forfreeing his territories (from affliction). No good, however, came of hisefforts, for the kingdom continued to waste away. The king became verycheerless. The Brahmanas also, O sinless one, became filled with grief.When at last the king failed to save his kingdom, he asked hiscounsellors. O Janamejaya, (about the remedy). The counsellors remindedhim of the evil he had done in connection with the dead kine. And theysaid, ‘The sage Vaka is pouring thy kingdom as a libation on the firewith the aid of the flesh (of those animals). Thence is this great wasteof thy kingdom! This is the consequence of ascetic rites. Thence is thisgreat calamity! Go, O king, and gratify that Rishi by the side of areceptacle of water on the bank of the Sarasvati!’ Repairing to the bankof the Sarasvati, the king falling at his feet and touching them with hishead, joined his hands and said, O thou of Bharata’s race, these words,’I gratify thee, O adorable one, forgive my offence. I am a senselessfool, a wretch inspired with avarice. Thou art my refuge, thou art myprotector, it behoveth thee to show me thy grace!’ Beholding him thusoverwhelmed with grief and indulging in lamentations like these, Vakafelt compassion for him and freed his kingdom. The Rishi became gratifiedwith him, having dismissed his angry feelings. For freeing his kingdom,the sage again poured libations on the fire. Having freed the kingdom(from calamities) and taken many animals in grief, he became pleased atheart and once more proceeded to the Naimisha woods. The liberal-mindedking Dhritarashtra also, of righteous soul, with a cheerful heart,returned to his own capital full of prosperity.

“In that tirtha, Brihaspati also, of great intelligence, for thedestruction of the Asuras and the prosperity of the denizens of heaven,poured libations on the sacrificial fire, with the aid of flesh. Uponthis, the Asuras began to waste away and were destroyed by the gods,inspired by desire of victory in battle. Having with due rites given untothe Brahmanas steeds and elephants and vehicles with mules yoked untothem and jewels of great value and much wealth, and much corn, theillustrious and mighty-armed Rama then proceeded, O king, to the tirthacalled Yayata. There, O monarch, at the sacrifice of the high-souledYayati, the son of Nahusha, the Sarasvati produced milk and clarifiedbutter. That tiger among men, king Yayati, having performed a sacrificethere, went cheerfully to heaven and obtained many regions ofblessedness. Once again, O lord, king Yayati performed a sacrifice there.Beholding his great magnanimity of soul and his immutable devotion toherself, the river Sarasvati gave unto the Brahamanas (invited to thatsacrifice) everything for which each of them cherished only a wish in hisheart. That foremost of rivers gave unto each where he was, amongst thosethat were invited to the sacrifice, houses and beds and food of the sixdifferent kinds of taste, and diverse other kinds of things. TheBrahmanas regarded those valuable gifts as made to them by the king.Cheerfully they praised the monarch and bestowed their auspiciousblessings upon him. The gods and the Gandharvas were all pleased with theprofusion of articles in that sacrifice. As regards human beings, theywere filled with wonder at sight of that profusion. The illustriousBaladeva, of soul subdued and restrained and cleansed, having the palmyraon his banner, distinguished by great righteousness, and ever giving awaythe most valuable things, then proceeded to that tirtha of fierce currentcalled Vasishthapavaha.”