Chapter 3
“Vyasa said,–‘Asses are taking births in kine. Some are having sexualpleasure with mothers. The trees in the forests are exhibitingunseasonable flowers and fruits.
“Vyasa said,–‘Asses are taking births in kine. Some are having sexualpleasure with mothers. The trees in the forests are exhibitingunseasonable flowers and fruits.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Making Uttara his charioteer, and circumambulatingthe Sami tree, the son of Pandu set out taking all his weapons with him.
Vaisampayana said,–“when that foremost of sacrifices, the Rajasuya sodifficult of accomplishment, was completed, Vyasa surrounded by hisdisciples presented himself before Yudhishthira.
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Duryodhana, O chief of Bharatas, repairing to Karna,said unto him as also unto the ruler of the Madras and the other lords ofEarth present there, these words, “Without seeking hath this occasionarrived, when the gates of heaven have become wide open.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘I desire thee, O grandsire, to tell me what theordinances are that have been laid down by the acts touching the deitiesand the (deceased) ancestors on occasions of Sraddhas.’
“Bhishma continued, ‘Having said these words unto the Salmali. thatforemost of all persons conversant with Brahma, viz., Narada, representedunto the god of the wind all that the Salmali had said about him.’
Vaisampayana said,–“Having said these words unto Dhritarashtra, Vyasatook his departure. And Dhritarashtra also, having heard those words,began to reflect in silence.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘King Duryodhana then, on the field of battle saidunto Bhishma, and unto Drona–that tiger among warriors, and untoKripa–that mighty car-warrior, these words,
Vaisampayana said,–“That bull among men, Duryodhana, continued to dwellin that, assembly house (of the Pandavas).
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Whom do the eternal Brahmanas strictly observingreligious rites call a proper object of gifts? Is a Brahmana that bearsthe symbols of the order of life he follows to be regarded as such or onewho does not bear such indications is to be so regarded?'[202]