Mahabharata

पूर्णमापूरयंस्तेषां द्विषच्छोकावहोऽभवत्। असूर्यमिव सूर्येण निवातमिव वायुना। कृष्णेन समुपेतेन जहृषे भारतं पुरम्

As Krishna filled their treasury to the brim, it brought grief to their enemies, just as the sun eclipses darkness or the wind dispels stillness; with Krishna present, the city of the Bharatas rejoiced.

तं मुदाऽभिसमागम्य सत्कृत्य च यथाविधि। स पृष्ट्वा कुशलं चैव सुखासीनं युधिष्ठिरः

Meeting him joyfully and honoring him according to custom, Yudhishthira asked after his well-being and seated him comfortably.

म्यद्वैपायनमुखैर्ऋत्विग्भिः पुरुषर्षभः। भीमार्जुनयमैश्चैव सहितः कृष्णमब्रवीत्

Together with Bhima, Arjuna, and the twins, and in the presence of the officiating priests led by Vyasa, Yudhishthira spoke to Krishna.

त्वत्कृते पृथिवी सर्वा मद्वशे कृष्ण वर्तते। धनं च बहु वार्ष्णेय त्वत्प्रसादादुपार्जितम्

Because of you, Krishna, the entire earth is under my sway, and much wealth has been acquired through your favor, O descendant of Vrishni.

सोऽहमिच्छामि तत्सर्वं विधिवद्देवकीसुत। उपयोक्तुं द्विजाग्र्येभ्यो हव्यवाहे च माधव

Therefore, O son of Devaki, I wish to use all this wealth properly for the foremost Brahmins and for the sacred fire, O Madhava.

तदहं यष्टुमिच्छामि दाशार्ह सहितस्त्वया। अनुजैश्च महाबाहो तन्माऽनुज्ञातुमर्हसि

For that reason, O Dasharha, I desire to perform the sacrifice together with you and my brothers of mighty arms; you should grant me permission for this.

तद्दीक्षापय गोविन्द त्वमात्मानं महाभुज। त्वयीष्टवति दाशार्ह विपाप्मा भविता ह्यहम्

Therefore, O Govinda of mighty arms, you should consecrate yourself for the rite; if you are willing, O Dasharha, I shall become free from sin.

मां वाप्यभ्यनुजानीह सहैभिरनुजैर्विभो। अनुज्ञातस्त्वया कृष्ण प्राप्नुयां क्रतुमुत्तमम्

Or else, O lord, grant me your permission, along with my brothers; if permitted by you, Krishna, I shall attain the supreme sacrifice.

तं कृष्णःस प्रत्युवाचेदं बहूक्त्वा गुणविस्तरम्। त्वमेव राजशार्दूल रम्राडर्हो महाक्रतुम्। सम्प्राप्नुहि त्वया प्राप्ते कृतकृत्यास्ततो वयम्

Krishna replied to him, after praising his many virtues: 'You alone, O tiger among kings, are worthy of the great sacrifice; attain it, for when you achieve it, our purpose will be fulfilled.'

यदस्वाभीप्सितं यज्ञं मयि श्रेयस्यवस्थिते। नियुङ्क्ष्व त्वं च मां कृत्ये सर्वं कर्तास्मि ते वचः

If there is any aspect of the sacrifice that you do not desire, while I am present for your welfare, command me in any task; I will do all that you say.

सफलः कृष्ण सङ्कल्पः सिद्धिश्च नियता मम। यस्यमे त्वं हृषीकेश यथेप्सितमुपस्थितः

O Krishna, my resolve is fruitful and success is assured for me, since you, O Hrishikesha, are present as I desire.

अनुज्ञातस्तु कृष्णेन पाण्डवो भ्रातृभिः सह। ईजितुं राजसूयेन साधनान्युपचक्रमे

Having been permitted by Krishna, the son of Pandu, together with his brothers, began preparations for performing the Rajasuya sacrifice.

ततस्त्वाज्ञापयामास पाण्डवोऽरिनिबर्हणः। सहदेवं युधां श्रेष्ठं मन्त्रिणश्चैव सर्वशः

Then the subduer of enemies, the Pandava, ordered Sahadeva, the best among warriors, and all the ministers accordingly.

अस्मिन्क्रतौ यथोक्तानि यज्ञाङ्गानि द्व्जातिभिः। यथोपकरणं सर्वं मङ्गलानि च सर्वशः

In this sacrifice, let all the prescribed rites be performed by the twice-born, and let all the necessary and auspicious items be prepared in every way.

अधियज्ञांश्च सम्भारान्दौम्योक्तान्क्षिप्रमेव हि। समानयन्तु पुरुषा यथायोगं यथाक्रमम्

Let the men quickly bring, as appropriate and in due order, all the sacrificial materials for the chief priests as instructed by Daumya.

इन्द्रसेनो विशोकश्च पूरश्चार्जुनसारथिः। अन्नाद्याहरणे युक्ताः सन्तु मत्प्रियकाम्यया

Indrasena, Vishoka, and Purascha, the charioteer of Arjuna, were assigned to procure food and provisions, in accordance with my wish to please.

सर्वकामाश्च कार्यन्तां रसगन्धसमन्विताः। मनोरथप्रीतिकरा द्विजानां कुरुसत्तम

Let all desirable things be prepared, endowed with taste and fragrance, pleasing to the mind and delighting the Brahmins, O best of the Kurus.

तद्वाक्यसमकालं च कृतं सर्वं न्यवेदयत्। सहदेवो युधां श्रेष्ठो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरे

At that very moment, Sahadeva, foremost among warriors, reported everything accomplished to King Yudhishthira, the lord of righteousness.

ततो द्वैपायनो राजन्नृत्विजः समुपानयत्। वेदानिव महाभागान्साक्षान्मूर्तिमतो द्विजान्

Then, O King, Vyasa brought the officiating priests, just as one brings forth the blessed Vedas, the Brahmins appearing in person.

स्वयं ब्रह्मत्वमकरोत्तस्य सत्यवतीसुतः। धनञ्जयानामृषभः सुसामा सामगोऽभवत्

The son of Satyavati himself assumed the role of Brahma; Susama, the singer of Sama, became the chief among the Dhananjayas.

याज्ञवल्क्यो बभूवाथ ब्रह्मिष्ठोऽध्वर्युसत्तमः। पैलो होता वसोः पुत्रो धौम्येन सहितोऽभवत्

Yajnavalkya, most learned in Brahman, became the foremost Adhvaryu; Paila, son of Vasu, was the Hotar, together with Dhaumya.

एतेषां पुत्रवर्गाश्च शिष्याश्च भरतर्षभ। बभूवुर्होत्रगाः सर्वे वेदवेदाङ्गपारगाः

Their sons and disciples, O bull among Bharatas, all served as assistants in the rites, accomplished in the Vedas and the branches of the Vedas.

ते वाचयित्वा पुण्याहमूहयित्वा च तं विधिम्। शास्त्रोक्तं पूजयामासुस्तद्देवयजनं महत्

Having recited the auspicious hymns and performed the prescribed rites, they worshipped that great sacrificial altar according to the scriptures.

तत्र चक्रुरनुज्ञाताः शरणान्युत शिल्पिनः। गन्धवन्ति विशालानि वेश्मानीव दिवौकसाम्

There, with permission, the artisans constructed shelters, vast and fragrant, resembling the dwellings of the gods.

तत आज्ञापयामास स राजा राजसत्तमः। सहदेवं तदा सद्यो मन्त्रिणं पुरुषर्षभः

Then the king, the foremost among rulers, commanded Sahadeva, his counselor, at once.

आमन्त्रणार्थं दूतांस्त्वं प्रेषयस्वाशुगान्द्रुतम्। उपश्रुत्य वचो राज्ञः स दूतान्प्राहिणोत्तदा

For the purpose of inviting guests, send messengers swiftly; hearing the king's words, Sahadeva dispatched them accordingly.

आमन्त्रयध्वं राष्ट्रेषु ब्राह्मणान्भूमिपानथ। विनाश्च मान्याञ्शूद्रांश्च सर्वानानयतेति च

Invite the Brahmins and kings in the realms, except those who are not to be honored and the Shudras; bring all others as well.

ते सर्वान्पृथिवीपालान्पाण्डवेयस्य शासनात्। आमन्त्रयाम्बभूवुस्ते प्रेषयामास चापरान्

By command of the Pandava, they invited all the rulers of the earth, and sent messengers to others as well.

दूताश्च वाहनैर्जग्भू राष्ट्राणि सुबहून्यपि। ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा प्रेषयामास पाण्डवम्

The messengers, traveling by various vehicles, reached many kingdoms; then King Yudhishthira sent Pandava.