The revered sages arrived with their disciples, and the illustrious king received them with deep respect, personally escorting them to their lodgings. Renouncing all pride, this radiant king humbly engaged in his own craft, setting an example for other artisans, who likewise took up their duties at that time. The sages then presented the complete procedure of the great sacrifice to the king. As he listened intently, the king, foremost among monarchs and ever diligent, was filled with wonder; his hair stood on end in delight, and his ministers shared in his joy. When the ceremony began, eloquent scholars engaged in spirited debates, each striving to surpass the other in wisdom. O Brahmins, at that sacred ground, they beheld magnificent golden gateways, as if crafted by Indra himself for this lion-like king. Within, they saw countless beds, seats, and couches, heaps of dazzling jewels, jars, vessels, bowls, and ever-brimming pitchers. Not a single king present saw anything impure; the sacrificial posts were fashioned from wood according to scriptural injunctions and adorned with gold. All the animals to be offered—both those of the land and the waters—were radiant and brought forth in their proper season, each according to the prescribed rites. The assembled kings saw all manner of beings gathered there: cows, buffaloes, and elderly women. They also witnessed aquatic creatures, wild beasts, birds, and beings born from womb, egg, sweat, and sprout. Mountains, heaps of grain, and all living beings appeared before their eyes, all rejoicing in abundant cattle, wealth, and grain. The kings gazed in awe at the sacrificial enclosure, marveling at the endless food provided for Brahmins and the people. When a full hundred thousand Brahmins feasted there, drums thundered repeatedly like roaring clouds. Day after day, the sacrificial ground resounded with continuous joyous sounds, and thus the wise king’s sacrifice flourished. The Brahmins saw limitless heaps of food, flowing streams of curds, and lakes of milk. Indeed, the entire Jambudvipa, filled with peoples and Brahmins, seemed present at the king’s magnificent sacrifice. Thousands upon thousands of men, each with a vessel in hand, departed from the site—many of them excellent Brahmins. All were adorned with polished jeweled earrings, serving the twice-born in great numbers. The king’s attendants offered a variety of drinks to the Brahmins, including the king’s own share. He honored all present—knowers of the Vedas and rulers of the earth—with proper worship and abundant gifts. Warriors famed for great battles had come from all directions, as had dancers, actors, skilled singers, and praisers, all gathered for the king. His wives were radiant, with full, high breasts, eyes like blue lotuses and palasha flowers, and faces shining like the autumn moon. Of noble lineage and virtue, they numbered a thousand and one hundred, together with the king’s other principal wives. The entire assembly was adorned with strings of gems, divine banners and flags, and beautiful jeweled necklaces, shining with the brilliance of moonstone. Hundreds and millions of elephants, mountain-like in stature, drenched in rut, mighty in strength, and adorned with ornaments on their tusks, were assembled. Alongside them were swift horses from the Sindhu region—splendid in appearance, white and dark-eared, countless in number and unmatched in speed. There were innumerable foot soldiers, armored and equipped with various weapons, ready for battle, resembling the sons of the gods. Beholding this vast array of sacrificial preparations, the king was filled with joy and spoke with delight, “Bring forth the finest horse, marked with all auspicious signs; let the disciplined princes lead it across the earth. Let learned and righteous men perform the rite here; bring a black goat, a buffalo, and a black antelope for the twice-born. Bring a bull, cows, and all herdsmen; let the offerings proceed as desired, and establish the Vaishnava pavilion. Let all these be given to the Brahmins as they wish—women, heaps of jewels, villages, and cities. Grant fertile lands, territories, and many delightful kinds of wealth to those who seek them. For all who ask, let nothing be denied; let the sacrifice continue until the god himself appears before me here, near this sacrifice.” Having thus declared, the lion-like king of mighty arms bestowed upon the Brahmins heaps of gold and ornaments numbering in the millions. He gave a hundred thousand female elephants, tens of thousands of horses, and a hundred million bulls and cows with golden horns. The Brahmins, knowers of the Vedas, received beautiful, fragrant cows, those yielding milk in bronze vessels, with great joy. Costly garments, shining white blankets, the finest coral and gems were also distributed. All manner of jewels were given at the great sacrifice—diamonds, sapphires, rubies, pearls, and other radiant gems, as well as maidens adorned, with lotus-like eyes. Thus did the king’s sacrifice shine forth, resplendent in generosity, abundance, and sacred joy.