Section LXXI

Vaisampayana, said, 'Hearing that the Pandavas were near, that crusher of foes, viz., Vasudeva, accompanied by his ministers, went out for seeing them.

The Pandavas then, uniting with the Vrishnis according to the usual formalities, together entered, O king, the city named after the elephant. With the hum of voices and the clatter of cars of that mighty host, the Earth and the welkin, and the firmament itself, became as it were entirely filled. The Pandavas, with rejoicing hearts, accompanied by their officers and friends entered the capital, placing that treasure in their van. Repairing, agreeably to custom, to king Dhritarashtra first, they worshipped his feet, announcing their respective names. Those foremost ones of Bharata’s race, O chief of kings, then paid their respectful salutations to Gandhari, the daughter of Suvala and to Kunti, They next worshipped (their uncle) Vidura and met Yuyutsu, the son of Dhritarashtra by his Vaisya wife. Those heroes were then worshipped by others and they blazed forth in beauty, O king. After this, O Bharata, those heroes heard the tidings of that highly wonderful and marvellous and glad-some birth of your father. Hearing of that feat of Vasudeva of great intelligence, they all worshipped Krishna, the delighter of Devaki, who was every way worthy of worship. Then, after a few days, Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, endued with great energy, came to the city named after the elephant. The perpetuators of Kuru’s race worshipped the great Rishi according to the usual custom. Indeed, those heroes, with those foremost princes of the Vrishni and the Andhaka races, paid the sage their adorations. After having conversed on various subjects, Dharma’s son Yudhishthira addressed Vyasa and said, 'This treasure, O holy one, which has been brought through your grace I wish to devote to that great sacrifice known by the name of the horse-sacrifice. O best of ascetics, I desire to have your permission. We are all, O Rishi, at your disposal, and at that of the high-souled Krishna.'

"Vyasa said, 'I give you permission, O king. Do what should be done after this. Do you worship the deities duly by performing the horse-sacrifice with profuse gifts. The horse-sacrifice, O king, is a cleanser of all sins. Without doubt, having worshipped the deities by that sacrifice you will surely be cleansed of all sins.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the Kuru king Yudhisthira of righteous soul then set his heart, O monarch, on making the necessary preparations for the horse-sacrifice. Having represented all this unto the Island-born Krishna, the king endued with great eloquence approached Vasudeva and said,—'O foremost of all beings, the goddess Devaki has, through you, come to be regarded as the most fortunate of mothers! O you of unfading glory, do you accomplish that which I shall now tell you, O mighty-armed one. O delighter of the Kurus, the diverse enjoyments we enjoy have all been acquired through your puissance. The whole Earth has been subjugated by you with the aid of your prowess and intelligence. Do you, therefore, cause thyself to undergo the rites of initiation. You are our highest preceptor and master. If you performest the sacrifice, O you of the Dasarha race, I shall be cleansed from every sin. You are Sacrifice. You are the Indestructible. You are this All. You are Righteousness. You are Prajapati. You are the goal of all creatures. Even this is my certain conclusion.'

"Vasudeva said, 'O mighty-armed one, it becomes you to say so, O chastiser of foes. You are the goal of all creatures. Even this is my certain conclusion. Amongst the heroes of the Kuru race, in consequence of your righteousness, you shinest today in great glory. They have all been cast into the shade, O king, by you. You are our king, and you are our senior. With my approval freely granted, do you adore the deities in the sacrifice suggested. Do you, O Bharata, appoint us to whatever tasks you likest. Truly, do I pledge myself that I shall accomplish all, O sinless one, that you mayst bid me accomplish. Bhimasena and Arjuna and the two sons of Madravati will be sacrificing when you, O king, sacrificest.'"^[1]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The sense is this: you are the eldest brother of the Pandavas; if you sacrificest, your brothers also will come to be regarded as sacrificing with you.