presents to be given away by Yudhishthira unto the
Brahmana. And, O Bharata, for bathing Yudhishthira
at the conclusion of the sacrifice, many kings with
the greatest alacrity, themselves brought there in
a state of purity many excellent jars (containing
water). And king Vahlika brought there a car
decked with pure gold. And king Sudakshina himself
yoked thereto four white horses of Kamboja breed,
and Sunitha of great might fitted the lower pole and
the ruler of Chedi with his own hands took up and fitted
the flag-staff. And the king of the Southern country
stood ready with the coat of mail; the ruler of Magadha,
with garlands of flowers and the head-gear; the great
warrior Vasudana with a sixty years old elephant,
the king of Matsya, with the side-fittings of the car,
all encased in gold; king Ekalavya, with the shoes;
the king of Avanti, with diverse kinds of water for
the final bath; king Chekitana, with the quiver; the
king of Kasi, with the bow; and Salya; with a sword
whose hilt and straps were adorned with gold.
Then Dhaumya and Vyasa, of great ascetic merit, with
Narada and Asita’s son Devala, standing before
performed the ceremony of sprinkling the sacred water
over the king. And the great Rishis with cheerful
hearts sat where the sprinkling ceremony was performed.
And other illustrious Rishis conversant with the Vedas,
with Jamadagni’s son among them, approached
Yudhishthira, the giver of large sacrificial presents,
uttering mantras all the while, like the seven Rishis,
approaching the great India in heaven. And Satyaki
of unbaffled prowess held the umbrella (over the king’s
head). And Dhananjaya and Bhima were engaged
in tanning the king; while the twins held a couple
of chamaras in their hands. And the Ocean himself
brought in a sling that big conch of Varuna which
the celestial artificer Viswakarman had constructed
with a thousand Nishkas of gold, and which Prajapati
had in a former Kalpa, presented unto India.
It was with that conch that Krishna bathed Yudhishthira
after the conclusion of the sacrifice, and beholding
it, I swooned away. People go to the Eastern or
the Western seas and also to the Southern one.
But, O father, none except birds can ever go to the
Northern sea. But the Pandavas have spread their
dominion even there, for I heard hundreds of conches
that had been brought thence blown (in the sacrificial
mansion) indicative of auspicious rejoicing. And
while those conches blew simultaneously, my hair stood
on end. And those among the kings, who were weak
in strength fell down. And Dhrishtadyumna and
Satyaki and the sons of Pandu and Kesava,—those
eight, endued with strength and prowess and handsome
in person, beholding the kings deprived of consciousness
and myself in that plight, laughed outright. Then
Vibhatsu (Arjuna) with a cheerful heart gave, O Bharata,
unto the principal Brahmanas five hundred bullocks
with horns plated with gold. And king Yudhishthira,
the son of Kunti, having completed the Rajasuya sacrifice,