Second edition,
loaded November 29 2008
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Text
1-2
The
honorable king said: 'All the human divinity, o brahmin, that
assembled at the Râjasûya sacrifice of
Ajâtas'atru [he whose enemy was never born, or
Yudhishthhira], were delighted with the great festiveness
they saw: the kings, the sages and the godly, thus I heard my
lord, except for Duryodhana; please enlighten us on the reason
for that.'
The
honorable king said: 'All the gods of men, o brahmin, that
assembled at the râjasûya sacrifice of
Ajâtas'atru [he whose enemy was never born, or
Yudhishthhira], were delighted with the great
festiveness that they saw: the kings, the sages and the
godly, thus I heard my lord, except for Duryodhana; please
enlighten us on the reason for
that.
(Vedabase)
Text
3
The son of
Vyâsa said: 'At the Râjasûya sacrifice of the
great soul of your grandfather were the family members who were
bound in divine love, engaged in humbly serving
him.
The
son of Vyâsa said: 'At the râjasûya
sacrifice of the great soul of your grandfather were the
family members bound in divine love, engaged in humbly
serving him. (Vedabase)
Text
4-7
Bhîma was
in charge of the kitchen, Duryodhana supervised the finances,
Sahadeva did the reception and Nakula procured the needed
items. Arjuna served the preceptors, Krishna washed the feet,
the daughter of Drupada served the food and the magnanimous
Karna handed out the gifts.
Yuyudhâna,
Vikarna, Hârdikya, Vidura and others like the sons of
Bâhlîka headed by Bhûris'ravâ and
Santardana, were, eager to please the king, willing to engage
in the diversity of duties at the time of the elaborate
sacrifice, o best of kings.
Bhîma
was in charge of the kitchen, Duryodhana supervised the
finances, Sahadeva did the reception and Nakula procured the
needed items. Arjuna served the preceptors, Krishna washed
the feet, the daughter of Drupada served the food and the
magnanimous Karna handed out the gifts.
Yuyudhâna,Vikarna, Hârdikya, Vidura and others
like the sons of Bâhlîka headed by
Bhûris'ravâ and Santardana, were, eager to
please the king, found to be engaged in the diversity of
duties at the time of the elaborate sacrifice, o best of
kings. (Vedabase)
Text
8
The priests,
the prominent officials, the highly learned and all the best
well-wishers, being well honored with pleasing words,
auspicious offerings and gifts of gratitude, executed, after
the king of Cedi had entered the feet of the master of the
Sâtvatas, the avabhritha bathing in the river of
heaven [the Yamunâ].
The
priests, the ones prominent officiating, the highly learned
and all the best well-wishers, being well honored with
pleasing words, auspicious offerings and gifts of gratitude,
executed, after the king of Cedi had entered the feet of the
master of the Sâtvatas, the avabhritha bathing in the
river of heaven [the Yamunâ].
(Vedabase)
Text
9
To
begin with the avabhritha celebration sounded the music
of a variety of gomukha horns, kettledrums, large drums,
mridangas, smaller drums and conchshells.
To
begin with the avabhritha celebration sounded the music of a
variety of gomukha horns, kettledrums, large drums,
mridanga's, smaller drums and conchshells.
(Vedabase)
Text
10
Women
dancers danced and singers sang joyfully in groups as the loud
sound of their vînâs, flutes and hand
cymbals touched the heavens.
Women
dancers danced and singers sang joyfully in groups as the
loud sound of their vînâs, flutes and hand
cymbals touched the heavens.
(Vedabase)
Text
11
The
kings with necklaces of gold took off [to the
Yamunâ] with footsoldiers, flags and banners of
different colors, excellent majestic elephants, chariots and
horses that were finely caparisoned.
The
kings with necklaces of gold took off [to the
Yamunâ] with footsoldiers, flags and banners of
different colors, excellent majestic elephants, chariots and
horses finely caparisoned. (Vedabase)
Text
12
The
Yadus, Sriñjayas, Kâmbojas, Kurus, Kekayas and
Kos'alas with their armies, headed by [the king,] the
performer of the sacrifice, made the earth
tremble.
The
Yadus, Sriñjayas, Kâmbojas, Kurus, Kekayas and
Kos'alas with their armies, with put in front [the
king,] the performer of the sacrifice, made the earth
tremble. (Vedabase)
Text
13
The ones
officiating, the priests and the brahmins of excellence loudly
vibrated the vedic mantras, while the gods and sages, the
forefathers and singers of heaven recited praises and rained
down flowers.
The
ones officiating, the priests, the brahmins, excelling in
the Vedas with an abundant sound, the gods and sages, the
forefathers and singers of heaven, recited praises as the
flowers rained down. (Vedabase)
Text
14
Men and women
nicely adorned with sandalwood paste, garlands, jewelry and
clothes, smeared and sprinkled each other playing with various
liquids.
Men
and women well adorned with sandalwood paste, garlands,
jewelry and clothes, smearing and sprinkling played with
various liquids. (Vedabase)
Text
15
The courtesans
were by the men playfully smeared with yogurt and perfumed
water with plenty of turmeric and vermilion powder, and so
smeared they in return [*].
The
courtesans were by the men playing, smeared with yogurt and
perfumed water with plenty of turmeric and vermilion powder,
and so smeared they in return.
[*].
(Vedabase)
Text
16
The queens
guarded by soldiers went, just as did the wives of the gods in
their celestial chariots in the sky, out to witness this
firsthand and as they by their cousins and friends were
sprinkled, was it a beautiful sight to see their faces
blossoming with shy smiles.
The
queens guarded by soldiers went, just as the wives of the
gods in their celestial chariots in the sky, out to witness
this firsthand and as they by their cousins and friends were
sprinkled, appeared they splendid with faces blossoming with
shy smiles. (Vedabase)
Text
17
They, their
brothers-in-law, their friends and so on, all squirted with
syringes to which their arms, breasts, thighs and waists due to
the excitement became visible with their dresses drenched and
loosened, and the braids of small flowers in their hair
slipped; and so did they in the process of their charming play
agitate the ones impure of mind.
They,
their brothers-in-law, their friends and so on, all squirted
with syringes to which their arms, breasts, thighs and
waists due to the excitement became visible with their
dresses drenched and loosened, and the braids of small
flowers in their hair slipped; and so did they in the
process of their charming play agitate the ones impure of
mind.
(Vedabase)
Text
18
He, the emperor
mounted his chariot with excellent horses and shone, hung with
gold, forth with his wives as the king of sacrifices, the
Râjasûya with all its rituals, in person.
He,
the emperor mounted his chariot with excellent horses and
shone, hung with gold, forth with his wives as the king of
sacrifices, the râjasûya with all its rituals,
in person. (Vedabase)
Text
19
After having
executed the patnî-samyâja-
[*]
and avabhritha ceremonies, made the priests him perform
the âcamana of sipping water for purification, and
bathe in the Ganges together with
Draupadî.
After
having executed the patnî-samyâja [**]
and avabhritha ceremonies, made the priests him perform the
âcamana of sipping water for purification, and bathe
in the Ganges together with Draupadî.
(Vedabase)
Text
20
The
kettledrums of the gods resounded together with those of the
human beings while the godly, the sages, the forefathers and
the humans created a rain of flowers.
The
kettledrums of the gods resounded together with those of the
human beings as the godly, the sages, the forefathers and
the humans released downpours of flowers.
(Vedabase)
Text
21
After
this bathed all humans of all classes and orders in that place
where even the greatest sinner can instantly be freed from all
contamination.
After
this bathed all humans of all classes and orders there, the
way even the greatest sinner can instantly be freed from all
contamination. (Vedabase)
Text
22
The
king next putting on a new set of silken garments, nicely
ornamented honored the priests, the ones officiating and the
brahmins with jewelry and clothing.
The
king next putting on a new set of silken garments, nicely
ornamented honored the priests, the ones officiating and the
brahmins with jewelry and
clothing.
(Vedabase)
Text
23
In diverse ways
went the king, devoted to Nârâyana, at lengths in
proving his respects to the kings, his friends, well-wishers,
direct family, more distant relatives as also to
others.
In
diverse ways did the king, devoted to Nârâyana,
go at lengths in proving his respects to the kings, his
friends, well-wishers, direct family, more distant relatives
as also others. (Vedabase)
Text
24
All the men,
jeweled with earrings, wearing flowers and turbans, jackets and
silks as well as the most precious pearl necklaces, shone like
the demigods; just as did the women who with the beauty of
their faces adorned with pairs of earrings and locks of hair
wearing golden belts, radiated brilliantly.
All
the men, jeweled with earrings, wearing flowers and turbans,
jackets and silks as well as the most precious pearl
necklaces, shone like the demigods; just as did the women
who with the beauty of their faces adorned with pairs of
earrings and locks of hair wearing golden belts, radiated
brilliantly. (Vedabase)
Text
25-26
Then,
with his permission, did the priests of great standing, the
officials, the vedic experts, the brahmins, the kshatriyas,
vais'yas, s'ûdras and the kings who had come and, o
king, along with their followers, the local rulers, the
spirits, the forefathers and demigods had been worshiped, go
back to their own abodes.
Then,
with his permission, did the priests highly respected, the
officials, the vedic experts, the brahmins, the kshatriyas,
vais'yas, s'ûdras and the kings who had come and, o
king, along with their followers, the local rulers, the
spirits, the forefathers and demigods had been worshiped, go
back to their own abodes. (Vedabase)
Text
27
Like
mortal men drinking the amrita had they never enough of
glorifying the great celebration of the Râjasûya
sacrifice of the saintly king, the servant of Lord
Krishna.
Like
mortal man drinking the amrita were they indeed never sated
glorifying the great celebration of the
râjasûya-sacrifice of the saintly king, the
servant of Lord Krishna. (Vedabase)
Text
28
In
pain because of being separated from Krishna had king
Yudhishthhira as said
[in 10.74:
48]
in
his love for his family members and relatives difficulty
letting them go.
Pained
on being separated from Krishna checked king Yudhishthhira
as said [in 10.74: 48] out of love his family
members and relatives. (Vedabase)
Text
29
My
dear, in order to please him stayed the Supreme Lord there. The
Yadu heroes who for that purpose were headed by Sâmba he
sent off to Dvârakâ.
My
dear, acting for his pleasure stayed the Supreme Lord there,
to that sending off the yadu-heroes thus headed by
Sâmba to Dvârakâ.
(Vedabase)
Text
30
This way was
the king, the son of Dharma [Yamarâja or Dharma, the
lord of the duties] successfully crossing over the so
difficult to overcome ocean of his desires, by Krishna freed
from the fever [see also 10.63:
23].
This
way was the king, the son of Dharma [Yamarâja or
Dharma, the lord of the duties] successfully
crossing over the difficult to overcome ocean of his
desires, through Krishna freed from the fever [see also
10.63: 23].
(Vedabase)
Text
31
Duryodhana
was pained when he saw within the palace the opulence of the
Râjasûya and the greatness of him
[Yudhishthhira] whose very soul was
Acyuta.
Duryodhana
was pained once he saw within the palace the opulence of the
râjasûya and the greatness of him
[Yudhishthhira] whose very soul was Acyuta.
(Vedabase)
Text
32
In
it were brought together all the different opulences of the
kings of men, the kings of demons and the kings of the godly.
Being provided by the cosmic architect [Maya
Dânava], served that wealth the daughter of king
Drupada with her husbands [the Pândavas]. Himself
also attracted to her lamented the heart of the
Kuru-prince.
In
it were manifest the variegated opulences of the kings of
men, the kings of demons and the kings of the godly; they
indeed provided by the cosmic architect [Maya
Dânava], served the daughter of king Drupada with
her husbands [the Pândavas], over whom the
heart of the Kuru-prince in attachment was lamenting.
(Vedabase)
Text
33
The
thousands of queens of the lord of Mathurâ were at the
time there present, most attractive with their waists and heavy
hips, moving around slowly with their feet charmingly tinkling,
with their pearl necklaces reddened by the kunkuma from their
breasts and with their beautiful faces richly adorned with
earrings and locks of hair.
The
thousands of queens of the lord of Mathurâ were at the
time there present, most attractive with their waists and
heavy hips, moving around slowly with their feet charmingly
tinkling, with their pearl necklaces reddened by the kunkuma
from their breasts and with their beautiful faces richly
adorned with earrings and locks of
hair.
(Vedabase)
Text
34-35
In
the assembly hall constructed by Maya it so happened that the
son of Dharma, the emperor in person, accompanied by his
attendants, his family and also Krishna, his Very Eye, was
seated on a throne of gold as if he, with the opulences of
supreme rulership, was Indra, joined and being praised by the
court poets.
In
the assembly hall constructed by Maya it so happened that
the son of Dharma, the emperor in person, accompanied by his
attendants, his family and Krishna, his Very Eye, as well,
was seated on a throne of gold like he, with the opulences
of supreme rulership, was Indra, joined and being praised by
the court poets. (Vedabase)
Text
36
There,
o King, then entered Duryodhana surrounded by his brothers.
Proud as a peacock wearing a crown and necklace, had he
constantly his hand on his sword while angrily insulting
[the doorkeepers].
There,
o King, then entered Duryodhana surrounded by his brothers,
proud, wearing a crown and necklace, with a sword in his
hand angrily insulting [the doorkeepers].
(Vedabase)
Text
37
Bewildered
by the magic of Maya taking the solid floor he saw for water,
held he the end of his garment high, but further up fell he in
water which he took for a solid floor.
Bewildered
by the magic of Maya thinking the solid floor he saw was
water, held he the end of his garment high, but further up
fell he in water which he mistook to be a solid floor.
(Vedabase)
Text
38
Bhîma
seeing it laughed out loadly as also did the women, the kings
and the rest, who, my dear, even though they were checked by
the king, had the approval of Krishna.
Bhîma
seeing it laughed as also did the women, the kings and the
rest, who, my dear, even though they were checked by the
king, had the approval of Krishna.
(Vedabase)
Text
39
He
[Duryodhana], burning with anger, embarrassed holding
his face low, went hurt inside off to Hastinâpura to
which from the saintly rose a very noisy 'Alas alas!'
Ajâtas'atru [the king] felt somewhat disheartened
while the Supreme Lord, from whose glance the bewilderment
rose, kept silent, being prepared to remove the burden from the
earth [see
also 1.15:
25-26,
10.2:
38 and
10.63:
27].
He
[Duryodhana], burning with anger, embarrassed
holding his face low, went, innerly in turmoil, off to
Hastinâpura to which from the truthfull rose a very
noisy 'Alas alas!', Ajâtas'atru was a little
disheartened and the Supreme Lord, from whose glance the
bewilderment rose, was silent, being ready to remove the
burden from the earth [see also 1.15: 25-26, 10.2: 38 en
10.63: 27]. (Vedabase)
Text
40
I've
now spoken about what you've asked me, o King, regarding the
depravity of Duryodhana during the great Râjasûya
sacrifice.
To
what you've asked me, o King, regarding the depravity of
Duryodhana during the great râjasûya sacrifice,
have I now spoken.'
(Vedabase)
*: Present day India knows the tradition of the Holi
celebrations, the festival of colors once a year on the morning
after the full moon in early March every year, where one plays
this game. It celebrates the arrival of spring and the death of
the demoness Holika. Holika was the sister of Hiranyakas'ipu
who fighting Prahlâda couldn't succeed in killing him
[see 7.5].
She, said to be fire resistant, sitting with him in a fire
couldn't harm him. He remained unscathed, but she burned in the
fire to ashes. Thus are with Holi the night before great
bonfires lit to commemorate the story. Although Holi is
observed all over the north, it's celebrated with special joy
and zest at Mathurâ, Vrindâvana, Nandgaon, and
Barsnar (the places where Lord Krishna and S'ri
Râdhâ grew up). Lord Krishna, while growing up in
Vraja, popularized the festival with His ingenious pranks. The
gopîs of Vraja responded with equal enthusiasm and
the festivities have continued ever since. Role reversal with
travesty, feminism etc. are accepted customs for the duration
of the festival. Men and women of Vraja clash in a colorful
display of a mock battle of the sexes. A naturally occurring
orange-red dye, Kesudo, is used to drench all
participants.
**:
The patnî-samyâja ritual is the ritual
performed by the sponsor of the sacrifice and his wife,
consisting of oblations to Soma, Tvashthâ, the wives of
certain demigods, and Agni.
