At the command of King Indradyumna, many learned Brahmins from far and wide arrived, accompanied by grand processions of chariots, elephants, infantry, horses, and abundant treasures. Alongside them came assembled kings, each with their ministers and priests. The king’s heart was filled with joy as he greeted them all with respect, preparing to share his purpose. With reverence, Indradyumna addressed the gathering: “O best of kings, listen as I briefly speak about this most sacred and excellent field—a place that bestows both worldly enjoyment and liberation. My mind is restless, pondering how I might accomplish the great horse-sacrifice, that supreme rite, and the construction of a Vaishnava temple. With your noble assistance, O foremost among kings, I believe all this can be achieved if you agree to help me.” Hearing the king’s words, all the assembled rulers were delighted and responded joyfully to his call. They showered him with wealth and precious gifts: gold, gems, pearls, fine blankets, deerskins, exquisite rugs, and splendid carpets. Diamonds, cat’s-eye stones, rubies, lotus gems, sapphires, elephants, horses, chariots, female elephants, and other riches were offered in abundance. The kings brought countless goods of every kind and value, including rice, barley, wheat, beans, sesame seeds, chickpeas, lentils, wild millet, honey, nivara rice, kulattha beans, and other grains—both cultivated and wild—by the thousands. Heaps of rice of many varieties appeared, alongside hundreds and thousands of jars of cow’s ghee for offerings, and an array of foods, cooked dishes, and fragrant ointments. With such generosity, the kings fulfilled every need for the sacrifice. Indradyumna beheld the sacrificial materials, overflowing with prosperity, and saw Brahmins skilled in Vedic rites, well-versed in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, masters of scripture, and experts in ritual. He observed sages of every kind—great sages, divine sages, ascetics, celibates, householders, forest-dwellers, and renunciants. There were graduates and other Brahmins, always engaged in fire-offerings, distinguished teachers and preceptors devoted to study and austerity. The assembly was filled with scriptural experts and many pure-hearted souls. Moved by this sight, the illustrious king turned to his priest and said, “Let the learned Brahmins, accomplished in the Vedas, now proceed to the sacrificial ground to ensure the success of the horse-sacrifice.” The royal priest, pleased and accompanied by the ministers, acted at once on the king’s command. The wise priest departed with the architects, placing the Brahmins skilled in ritual at the forefront. In the region where fishermen dwelled, amidst winding lanes and alleys, the Brahmin began constructing the sacrificial enclosure according to the sacred rules. Soon, the area was transformed: hundreds of palaces rose, adorned with precious gems, resplendent like Indra’s own mansion, embellished with gold and jewels. Pillars decorated with gold and grand gateways were erected, and pure gold was placed at the designated sacrificial site. Inner chambers were built for the visiting kings, each according to proper custom and righteousness. Numerous halls were arranged for Brahmins and merchants from distant lands, all in accordance with tradition. Eminent rulers arrived, bringing many jewels for the king’s pleasure, and women too came to join the festival. As the great souls entered their camps, a mighty sound arose—like the roar of the ocean—echoing to the heavens. To honor the guests, King Indradyumna assigned dwellings and beds for their comfort. He personally arranged a variety of foods made from rice, sugarcane, barley, and cow’s milk. At that grand sacrifice, many expounders of Brahman and distinguished twice-borns were present with their disciples. The king received them all with honor and accompanied them to their lodgings. Renouncing pride, the radiant king himself took part in the preparations, as did other artisans, each performing their craft with devotion. The priests presented the full sacrificial procedure to the king. Hearing it, the diligent monarch, surrounded by his ministers, was thrilled—his hair stood on end with excitement and reverence. As the sacrifice began, eloquent debaters engaged in spirited arguments, each striving to demonstrate their mastery. There, the Brahmins and kings saw gateways of pure gold, as if Indra himself had prepared them for the lion-like king. They beheld many beds, seats, couches, heaps of jewels, jars, vessels, bowls, and ever-increasing pitchers. No impurity was seen anywhere; the sacrificial posts, adorned with gold, were made of wood as prescribed by scripture. All the animals—both land-dwelling and aquatic—that were to be offered, radiant and in proper season, were brought forth according to the correct rites. The assembled kings saw all manner of beings gathered: cows, buffaloes, elderly women, aquatic creatures, wild beasts, birds, and those born from womb, egg, sweat, and sprout. Thus, the great sacrifice commenced in all its glory and sanctity.