Chapter 55 - Aṃśumān installed as Crown Prince

Jaimini said:

1. Then Sagara was beside himself with excessive affection. He embraced his grandson, blessed him, fondled him very much and praised him.

2. Then accompanied by the Ṛtviks (sacrificial priests) and the sadasyas (members of the holy assembly) who had mastered the Vedas, the excellent king resumed the Yajña in accordance with the prescribed injunctions.

3. Then the sacrifice endowed with the equipments and articles of good quality, and conducted very well by Vasiṣṭha, Aurva and other sages, began to be celebrated.

4. The altar was made of gold. There were big and small vessels in full complement. In that sacrifice everything was luxuriously plentiful and in accordance with the dictates of the scriptures.

5. All the Ṛtviks with the Yajamāna (the performer of sacrifice) at the head, in due order of procedure, concluded sacrifice that began thus.

6. After concluding the sacrifice, the king, who was the most excellent among those who were conversant with the injunctions of scriptures, offered due Dakṣiṇās (monetary gifts) to the Ṛtviks.

7. Then he distributed money to every one of them more than what he (the receiver of Dakṣiṇā) expected, to the Ṛtviks, to the sadasyas and to the Brāhmaṇas who came as suppliants.

8. After propitiating the Brāhmaṇas and others thus, in due order, by means of monetary gifts, he fell at the feet of preceptors and Sadasyas and sought their forgiveness (for his acts of omissions and commissions).

9-12a. Then, accompanied by his followers and kinsmen, he went to Sarayū and performed the concluding holy bath called Avabhṛtha. He was accompanied by the Brāhmaṇas and people of other castes and Ṛtviks. He was followed by groups of courtesans, heralds, bards and panegyrists. The ladies (of the harem) were with him. He had all the royal paraphernalia like the white umbrella, chowries and furry fans shaken to and fro. He shone well with, all these accompaniments. The sounds of the different kinds of musical instruments deafened (as it were) the various quarters. He joyously performed the holy valedictory ablution (i.e. Avabhṛtha) in accordance with the injunction in the scriptures as well as conventional practice.

12b-14. After the holy bath, accompanied by his wives, friends and the Brāhmaṇas, he re-entered the beautiful city, where there were thousands of delighted and well-nourished persons. There were the sweet notes of Vīṇā (Lute), Veṇu (Flute), Mṛdaṅga (a kind of tabor) and different kinds of other musical instruments. There were loud sounds of auspicious chanting of the Vedic Mantras sung by the Brāhmaṇa folk. He was being panegyrised by the heralds, Sūtas, bards and other panegyrists standing all round him.

15. There were white fans, good umbrellas and colourful banners, flags and festoons displayed in the city. The grounds, bazaars and other places had been swept and sprinkled clean with water and they appeared very splendid.

16. The city shone splendidly on account of the rows of mansions, lofty and brilliant like the Kailāsa mountain. The quarters were rendered fragrant by means of the sweet scent arising from fumes of Aguru.

17-18. Heaps of fried rice were showered on him frequently by the womenfolk of the city all round. He was delightedly viewed by the citizens. He was honoured at various places by the merchant community with many kinds of presents. Thus he went into the city slowly.

19. After entering his beautiful abode that had been embellished with all kinds of ornamental fittings, he honoured well, all his friends and Brāhmaṇas too.

20. Being served and attended upon by the kings, the rulers of different countries, Sagara the tiger among kings stayed in there like another Indra.

21. Having fulfilled his desire thus in the company of his friends and allies, Sagara the most excellent among kings rejoiced there accompanied by his two wives.

22. With approval of Vasiṣṭha, the king gladly crowned Aṃśumān, his grandson, who was humble and modest, by disposition as the heir-apparent.

23. On account of his exalted liberal qualities, he became a great favourite with friends, kinsmen and the residents of the city as well as the outlying districts and rural territories, O king.

24. The subjects were delighted with him and they loved him because, though he was a boy, he had unmeasured valour and prowess, just as one loves the fresh crescent of the moon that has risen just at the beginning of the bright half of the lunar month.

25. Accompanied by him, his friends and allies as well as the two wives who suited him in every respect, the glorious king rejoiced and lived for a long time.

26. The mighty king, Sagara, who was like another Dharma himself, protected the earth including the mountains, forests and parks, as though he was young.

27. Thus the great lord of the Northern Kosalas whose person shone like a precious gem in the crown of kings of the solar race, delighted the minds of all the worlds like the full moon. Along with all his subjects he rejoiced very well.