The kings and assembled guests gazed in awe at the wondrous scene before them: mountains and great heaps of grain rose up amidst all living beings, each one rejoicing in the abundance of cattle, wealth, and food. As their eyes fell upon the sacrificial enclosure, their wonder grew even greater, for everywhere they looked, food was being offered in profusion to Brahmins and people alike. Within this sacred space, one hundred thousand Brahmins feasted together, and the air thundered with the sound of drums, echoing like roaring clouds. Day after day, the sacrificial grounds resounded with joyous noise, for the wise king’s sacrifice flourished unceasingly. The Brahmins beheld countless heaps of food, flowing streams of curds, and entire lakes of milk. It seemed as if all of Jambudvipa, with its many peoples and Brahmins, had gathered at the king’s great sacrifice. Thousands upon thousands of men, each with a vessel in hand, departed from the feast—many of them distinguished Brahmins. All the servers, adorned with shining jeweled earrings, attended to the twice-born in their hundreds and thousands. The king’s attendants offered a variety of drinks to the Brahmins, including the king’s own share, honoring all the assembled—knowers of the Veda and rulers of the earth—with proper worship and abundant gifts. Warriors renowned for their prowess in battle had come from every direction. Dancers, actors, skilled singers, and praisers all performed for the king. His wives, charming and noble, with eyes like blue lotuses and palasha flowers and faces radiant as the autumn moon, graced the gathering. These women, of noble lineage and character, numbered a thousand and one hundred, joined by the king’s other principal wives. The sacrificial grounds gleamed with beauty: adorned with strings of gems, divine banners and flags, and jeweled necklaces, everything shone with the brilliance of moonstone. Hundreds and millions of elephants, mighty as mountains and adorned with ornaments on their tusks, stood assembled, their strength and majesty evident. Swift horses from the Sindhu region, white and dark-eared, countless in number and speed, were present as well. Foot soldiers, girded and armored, equipped with various weapons and resembling the sons of gods, stood ready for battle. Surveying this vast and splendid array, the king’s heart swelled with joy. He 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 sacrificial rites here; bring a black goat, a buffalo, and a black antelope for the twice-born. Bring a bull, cows, and all herdsmen; let the desired offerings proceed, and establish the Vaishnava pavilion. Let all these be given to the Brahmins as they desire—women, heaps of jewels, villages, and cities. Let fertile lands, territories, and delightful kinds of wealth be granted 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, at this sacrifice.” Having spoken thus, the lion-like king of mighty arms poured forth gifts: he gave the Brahmins heaps of gold and ornaments, numbering in the millions. He bestowed a hundred thousand female elephants, tens of thousands of horses, and a hundred million bulls and cows with golden horns. Beautiful, fragrant cows, yielding milk in bronze vessels, were joyfully given to the Brahmins, the knowers of the Vedas. The king granted costly garments, shining white blankets, the finest coral, and precious gems of every kind. At the great sacrifice, he gave diamonds, sapphires, rubies, pearls, and other radiant gems. He also gave maidens adorned with lotus-like eyes. The delighted king presented five hundred women to the Brahmins—women of full breasts, clad in bodices, slender-waisted, with eyes wide as lotus petals, graceful necks, expressive gestures, and adorned with bangles and anklets. Dressed in fine silk, many such desirable women were given, each individually, in that place. To those who sought, to Brahmins and others, the king provided an endless abundance of food and drink, prepared with every variety of ingredient. Sweets and confections of every kind, cooked and baked, pure offerings, and ghee-filled delicacies were served. Sweet cakes, fried pastries, and delicious, well-cooked food were given again and again for the pleasure of all. There was no end to the wealth given and distributed. Witnessing such a magnificent sacrifice, even the gods, demons, and their followers were amazed. Gandharvas, Apsaras, Siddhas, sages, and the lords of creatures all marveled at the auspicious and excellent sacrifice. Within the sacrificial grounds, the priests, counselors, and the king himself were filled with delight. No one was dirty, distressed, or hungry. There was no adversity, no fatigue, no illness or disease; no untimely death, no harmful bites, nor any evil influence disturbed the gathering. In every way, the king’s sacrifice shone as a supreme and wondrous event, bringing joy and wonder to all beings who beheld it.