rule


 

 

Canto 10

Guru Puja

 
 

Chapter 75: Concluding the Rājasūya and Duryodhana Laughed at

(1-2) The honorable king said: 'All the people of God, oh brahmin, who assembled at the Rājasūya sacrifice of Ajātas'atru ['he whose enemy was never born', or Yudhishthhira], were delighted about the great festivity they saw: all the kings, the sages and enlightened souls, so I heard, my lord, except for Duryodhana. Please tell us what the reason was.'

(3) The son of Vyāsa said: 'At the Rājasūya sacrifice of the great soul who is your grandfather, the family members, who were bound in divine love, were engaged in humbly serving his cause. (4-7) Bhīma was in charge of the kitchen, Duryodhana supervised the finances, Sahadeva managed the reception and Nakula procured the required items. Arjuna served the preceptors, Krishna washed the feet, the daughter of Drupada served the food and the magnanimous Karna handed out the gifts. Yuyudhāna, Vikarna, Hārdikya, Vidura and others, like the sons of Bāhlīka headed by Bhūris'ravā and Santardana, were, eager to please the king, willing to engage in the different duties during the elaborate sacrifice, oh best of the kings. (8) The priests, the prominent officials, the highly learned souls and all the best well-wishers, being well honored with pleasing words, auspicious offerings and gifts of gratitude, executed the avabhritha bathing ceremony in the heavenly river, after the king of Cedi had entered the feet of the master of the Sātvatas. (9) During the avabhritha celebration the music sounded of a variety of gomukha horns, kettledrums, large drums, mridangas, smaller drums and conch shells. (10) Female dancers danced and singers sang joyfully in groups, as the loud sound of their vīnās, flutes and hand cymbals reached the heavens. (11) The kings, wearing necklaces of gold, took off together with foot soldiers, nice flags and ban ers of different colors, and well ornamented majestic elephants, chariots and horses. (12) The Yadus, Srińjayas, Kāmbojas, Kurus, Kekayas and Kos'alas, with their armies headed by [the king,] the performer of the sacrifice, made the earth tremble. (13) The officials, the priests and the brahmins of excellence loudly vibrated Vedic mantras, while the demigods and sages, the forefathers and singers of heaven sang praises and rained down flowers. (14) Men and women nicely adorned with sandalwood paste, garlands, jewelry and clothes, smeared and sprinkled each other, playing with various liquids. (15) The courtesans were by the men playfully smeared with oil, yogurt and perfumed water with plenty of turmeric and vermilion powder, and they smeared them in return [*]. (16) Guarded by soldiers, the queens went out to witness this firsthand, just as did the wives of the gods in their celestial chariots in the sky. By their cousins and friends being sprinkled in their turn, they offered a beautiful sight with their blossoming faces and shy smiles. (17) Squirting their brothers-in-law, their friends and so on with syringes, in their excitement, their arms, breasts, thighs and waists became visible, because their dresses got drenched and loosened and the braids of small flowers in their hair slipped. With their charming play they thus agitated those who are impure of mind. (18) The emperor mounted his chariot harnessed with the finest horses, and shone, hung with gold, with his wives in all directions, like he was the king of sacrifices, the Rājasūya with all its rituals, in person. (19) After the priests had guided him through the patnī-samyāja [**] and avabhritha ceremonies, they made him perform the ācamana of sipping water for purification and bathe in the Ganges together with Draupadī. (20) The kettledrums of the gods resounded together with those of the human beings, while the demigods, the sages, the forefathers and the humans released a downpour of flowers. (21) Thereafter humans of all occupational and spiritual orders bathed in that place where even the greatest sinner can instantly be freed from all contamination. (22) The king next put on a new set of silken garments and nicely ornamented honored the priests, the officials and the brahmins with jewelry and clothing. (23) The king, devoted to Nārāyana, in diverse ways went at lengths in proving his respects to the kings, his friends, well-wishers, direct family and more distant relatives, as also to others. (24) All the men with their jewels and earrings, flowers and turbans, jackets and silken garments, as also with the most precious pearl necklaces, shone like the demigods. The women also radiated brilliantly with the beauty of their faces adorned with pairs of earrings and locks of hair, and wearing golden belts. (25-26) Oh King, the highly qualified priests, the officials, the Vedic experts, the brahmins, the kshatriyas, vais'yas, s'ūdras and the kings who had come, and together with their followers, the planetary rulers, the spirits, the forefathers and demigods had been worshiped, then with his permission all returned to their abodes. (27) Like mortal men drinking amrita, they never had enough of glorifying the great celebration of the Rājasūya sacrifice performed by the wise king, the servant of the Lord. (28) In his love for his family members, friends and relatives, king Yudhishthhira then stopped them. He was in pain about being separated from Krishna. (29) My best one, in order to please him the Supreme Lord then stayed there. The Yadu heroes headed by Sāmba He sent off to Dvārakā. (30) The king, the son of Dharma [of Yamarāja or Dharma, the lord of the duties] by Krishna being freed from his feverish condition [see also 10.63: 23], thus successfully managed to cross over the so difficult to overcome ocean of his great ambition.

(31) When Duryodhana one day saw the opulence in the palace, he was troubled by the greatness of the Rājasūya and of him [Yudhishthhira] whose life and soul belonged to Acyuta. (32) All the different opulences of the kings of men, the kings of the demons and the kings of the gods could be seen there. With that wealth, which was provided by the cosmic architect [Maya Dānava], the daughter of king Drupada served her husbands [the Pāndavas]. The Kuru prince lamented, for his heart was fixed on her. (33) The thousands of queens of the Lord of Mathurā were there also present at the time, most attractive with their waists and heavy hips moving around slowly on their feet that charmingly tinkled, wearing their pearl necklaces, reddened by the kunkuma from their breasts, and with their beautiful faces richly adorned with earrings and locks of hair. (34-35) In the assembly hall constructed by Maya, it so happened that the son of Dharma, the emperor in person, in the company of his attendants, his family and also Krishna - who was his all-seeing eye - was seated on a throne of gold, being endowed with the opulences of supreme rulership and praised by court poets, like he was Indra. (36) There, oh King, then entered Duryodhana surrounded by his brothers. Proud as a peacock wearing a crown and necklace, he with a sword in his hand was ranting angrily [at the doorkeepers]. (37) Bewildered by the magic of Maya taking the solid floor for water, he held the end of his garment high, but further on he fell into water that he mistook for a solid floor. (38) Bhīma seeing it laughed out loudly, just as the women, the kings and the rest did, my dear. Even though they were checked by the king, it carried the approval of Krishna. (39) He [Duryodhana] burning with anger, embarrassed with his face turned down, being hurt within left for Hastināpura, whereupon from the saintly souls rose a very noisy 'Alas alas!' Ajātas'atru [the king] felt a little sad, while the Supreme Lord, from whose glance the bewilderment had risen, kept silent. He was prepared to remove the burden from the earth [see also 1.15: 25-26, 10.2: 38 and 10.63: 27].

(40) Oh King, this is what I have to tell you concerning your question about the bad-heartedness of Duryodhana during the great Rājasūya sacrifice.'

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Third revised edition, loaded October 1, 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1-2

The honorable king said: 'All the people of God, oh brahmin, who assembled at the Rājasūya sacrifice of Ajātas'atru ['he whose enemy was never born', or Yudhishthhira], were delighted about the great festivity they saw: all the kings, the sages and enlightened souls, so I heard, my lord, except for Duryodhana. Please tell us what the reason was.'
The honorable king said: 'All the human divinity, o brahmin, that assembled at the Rājasūya sacrifice of Ajātas'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.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

The son of Vyāsa said: 'At the Rājasūya sacrifice of the great soul who is your grandfather, the family members, who were bound in divine love, were engaged in humbly serving his cause.

The son of Vyāsa said: 'At the Rājasūya sacrifice of the great soul of your grandfather were the family members who were bound in divine love, engaged in humbly serving him. (Vedabase)

 

Text 4-7

Bhīma was in charge of the kitchen, Duryodhana supervised the finances, Sahadeva managed the reception and Nakula procured the required items. Arjuna served the preceptors, Krishna washed the feet, the daughter of Drupada served the food and the magnanimous Karna handed out the gifts. Yuyudhāna, Vikarna, Hārdikya, Vidura and others, like the sons of Bāhlīka headed by Bhūris'ravā and Santardana, were, eager to please the king, willing to engage in the different duties during the elaborate sacrifice, oh best of the kings.

Bhīma 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. Yuyudhāna, Vikarna, Hārdikya, Vidura and others like the sons of Bāhlīka headed by Bhūris'ravā 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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

The priests, the prominent officials, the highly learned souls and all the best well-wishers, being well honored with pleasing words, auspicious offerings and gifts of gratitude, executed the avabhritha bathing ceremony in the heavenly river, after the king of Cedi had entered the feet of the master of the Sātvatas.

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 Sātvatas, the avabhritha bathing in the river of heaven [the Yamunā]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

During the avabhritha celebration the music sounded of a variety of gomukha horns, kettledrums, large drums, mridangas, smaller drums and conch shells.

To begin with the avabhritha celebration sounded the music of a variety of gomukha horns, kettledrums, large drums, mridangas, smaller drums and conchshells.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

Female dancers danced and singers sang joyfully in groups, as the loud sound of their vīnās, flutes and hand cymbals reached the heavens.

Women dancers danced and singers sang joyfully in groups as the loud sound of their vīnās, flutes and hand cymbals touched the heavens. (Vedabase)

     

Text 11

The kings, wearing necklaces of gold, took off together with foot soldiers, nice flags and banners of different colors, and well ornamented majestic elephants, chariots and horses.

The kings with necklaces of gold took off [to the Yamunā] with footsoldiers, flags and banners of different colors, excellent majestic elephants, chariots and horses that were finely caparisoned. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

The Yadus, Srińjayas, Kāmbojas, Kurus, Kekayas and Kos'alas, with their armies headed by [the king,] the performer of the sacrifice, made the earth tremble.

The Yadus, Srińjayas, Kāmbojas, Kurus, Kekayas and Kos'alas with their armies, headed by [the king,] the performer of the sacrifice, made the earth tremble.  (Vedabase)

  

Text 13

The officials, the priests and the brahmins of excellence loudly vibrated Vedic mantras, while the demigods and sages, the forefathers and singers of heaven sang praises and rained down flowers.

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. (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 nicely adorned with sandalwood paste, garlands, jewelry and clothes, smeared and sprinkled each other playing with various liquids. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

The courtesans were by the men playfully smeared with oil, yogurt and perfumed water with plenty of turmeric and vermilion powder, and they smeared them in return [*].

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 [*]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

Guarded by soldiers, the queens went out to witness this firsthand, just as did the wives of the gods in their celestial chariots in the sky. By their cousins and friends being sprinkled in their turn, they offered a beautiful sight with their blossoming faces and shy smiles.

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

Squirting their brothers-in-law, their friends and so on with syringes, in their excitement, their arms, breasts, thighs and waists became visible, because their dresses got drenched and loosened and the braids of small flowers in their hair slipped. With their charming play they thus agitated those who are 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

The emperor mounted his chariot harnessed with the finest horses, and shone, hung with gold, with his wives in all directions, like he was the king of sacrifices, the Rājasūya 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 Rājasūya with all its rituals, in person. (Vedabase)

  

Text 19

After the priests had guided him through the patnī-samyāja [**] and avabhritha ceremonies, they made him perform the ācamana of sipping water for purification and bathe in the Ganges together with Draupadī.

After having executed the patnī-samyāja- [**] and avabhritha ceremonies, made the priests him perform the ācamana of sipping water for purification, and bathe in the Ganges together with Draupadī. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

The kettledrums of the gods resounded together with those of the human beings, while the demigods, the sages, the forefathers and the humans released a downpour of flowers.

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

Thereafter humans of all occupational and spiritual orders bathed 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 in that place where even the greatest sinner can instantly be freed from all contamination. (Vedabase)

   

 Text 22

The king next put on a new set of silken garments and nicely ornamented honored the priests, the officials 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

The king, devoted to Nārāyana, in diverse ways went at lengths in proving his respects to the kings, his friends, well-wishers, direct family and more distant relatives, as also to others.

In diverse ways went the king, devoted to Nārāyana, at lengths in proving his respects to the kings, his friends, well-wishers, direct family, more distant relatives as also to others. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

All the men with their jewels and earrings, flowers and turbans, jackets and silken garments, as also with the most precious pearl necklaces, shone like the demigods. The women also radiated brilliantly with the beauty of their faces adorned with pairs of earrings and locks of hair, and wearing golden belts.

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

Oh King, the highly qualified priests, the officials, the Vedic experts, the brahmins, the kshatriyas, vais'yas, s'ūdras and the kings who had come, and together with their followers, the planetary rulers, the spirits, the forefathers and demigods had been worshiped, then with his permission all returned to their abodes.

Then, with his permission, did the priests highly respected, the officials, the vedic experts, the brahmins, the kshatriyas, vais'yas, s'ūdras 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 amrita, they never had enough of glorifying the great celebration of the Rājasūya sacrifice performed by the wise king, the servant of the Lord.

Like mortal men drinking the amrita had they never enough of glorifying the great celebration of the Rājasūya sacrifice of the saintly king, the servant of Lord Krishna.  (Vedabase)

 

 Text 28

In his love for his family members, friends and relatives, king Yudhishthhira then stopped them. He was in pain about being separated from Krishna.

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. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 29

My best one, in order to please him the Supreme Lord then stayed there. The Yadu heroes headed by Sāmba He sent off to Dvārakā.

My dear, in order to please him stayed the Supreme Lord there. The Yadu heroes who for that purpose were headed by Sāmba he sent off to Dvārakā. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 30

The king, the son of Dharma [of Yamarāja or Dharma, the lord of the duties] by Krishna being freed from his feverish condition [see also 10.63: 23], thus successfully managed to cross over the so difficult to overcome ocean of his great ambition.

This way was the king, the son of Dharma [Yamarāja 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]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 31

When Duryodhana one day saw the opulence in the palace, he was troubled by the greatness of the Rājasūya and of him [Yudhishthhira] whose life and soul belonged to Acyuta.

Duryodhana was pained when he saw within the palace the opulence of the Rājasūya and the greatness of him [Yudhishthhira] whose very soul was Acyuta. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 32

All the different opulences of the kings of men, the kings of the demons and the kings of the gods could be seen there. With that wealth, which was provided by the cosmic architect [Maya Dānava], the daughter of king Drupada served her husbands [the Pāndavas]. The Kuru prince lamented, for his heart was fixed on her.

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 Dānava], served that wealth the daughter of king Drupada with her husbands [the Pāndavas]. Himself also attracted to her lamented the heart of the Kuru-prince.  (Vedabase)

 

 Text 33

The thousands of queens of the Lord of Mathurā were there also present at the time, most attractive with their waists and heavy hips moving around slowly on their feet that charmingly tinkled, wearing 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 Mathurā 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, in the company of his attendants, his family and also Krishna  - who was his all-seeing eye - was seated on a throne of gold, being endowed with the opulences of supreme rulership and praised by court poets, like he was Indra.

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

There, oh King, then entered Duryodhana surrounded by his brothers. Proud as a peacock wearing a crown and necklace, he with a sword in his hand was ranting angrily [at the doorkeepers].

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]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

Bewildered by the magic of Maya taking the solid floor for water, he held the end of his garment high, but further on he fell into water that he mistook for a solid floor. 

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38

Bhīma seeing it laughed out loudly, just as the women, the kings and the rest did, my dear. Even though they were checked by the king, it carried the approval of Krishna.

Bhīma 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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 39

He [Duryodhana] burning with anger, embarrassed with his face turned down, being hurt within left for Hastināpura, whereupon from the saintly souls rose a very noisy 'Alas alas!' Ajātas'atru [the king] felt a little sad, while the Supreme Lord, from whose glance the bewilderment had risen, kept silent. He was 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 hurt inside off to Hastināpura. When that happened rose from the truthfull a very noisy 'Alas alas!' Ajātas'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 en 10.63: 27]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 40

Oh King, this is what I have to tell you concerning your question about the bad-heartedness of Duryodhana during the great Rājasūya sacrifice.'

I've now spoken about what you've asked me, o King, regarding the depravity of Duryodhana during the great Rājasūya sacrifice.' (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 Prahlāda, could not succeed in killing him [see 7.5]. She, said to be fire resistant, sitting with him in a fire could not harm him. He remained unscathed, but she burned in the fire to ashes. Thus with Holi the night before great bonfires are lit to commemorate the story. Although Holi is observed all over the north, it is celebrated with special joy and zest at Mathurā, Vrindāvana, Nandgaon, and Barsnar (the places where Lord Krishna and S'rī Rādhā grew up). Lord Krishna, while growing up in Vraja, popularized the festival with His ingenious pranks. The gopīs 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 patnī-samyāja ritual is the ritual performed by the sponsor of the sacrifice and his wife, consisting of oblations to Soma, Tvashthā, the wives of certain demigods, and Agni.

 

 

 

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The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
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The picture shows Krishna celebrating the Holi festival. Source unknown.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.


 

 

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