Chapter 44
Vaisampayana said, “The gods and the Gandharvas then, understanding thewishes of India, procured an excellent Arghya and reverenced the son ofPritha in a hurry.
Vaisampayana said, “The gods and the Gandharvas then, understanding thewishes of India, procured an excellent Arghya and reverenced the son ofPritha in a hurry.
Vaishampayana said, “In that tirtha lived in days of yore a Rishi ofvirtuous soul, named Asita-Devala, observant of the duties ofDomesticity.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Why, O bull of Bharata’s race, have the Brahmanassaid that the king, that ruler of men, is a god?’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O high-souled grandsire, thou hast duly discoursedto us on the subject of Sacrifices, including the merits in detail thatattach to them both here and hereafter.
“Vaisampayana said, Dhritarashtra’s son, accompanied by all the kings,then addressed Bhishma, son of Santanu, and with joined hands said thesewords, ‘Without a commander, even a mighty army is routed in battle likea swarm of ants.
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then that bull of Vrishni’s race, viz., the high-souledSatyaki of great intelligence, having slain Sudarsana, once moreaddressed his driver, saying,
Vaisampayana said, “And the city of Indra which Arjuna saw was delightfuland was the resort of Siddhas and Charanas. And it was adorned with theflowers of every season, and with sacred trees of all kinds.
Vaishampayana said, “The mighty chief of the Yadus, having proceeded toIndra’s tirtha, bathed there according to due rites and gave away wealthand gems unto the Brahmanas.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘What other special duties remain for the king todischarge? How should he protect his kingdom and how subdue his foes? Howshould he employ his spies? How should he inspire confidence in the fourorders of his subjects, his own servants, wives, and sons, O Bharata?’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘The disposition is seen, O grandsire, in all theorders of men, including the very Mlechchhas, of observing fasts.