Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच ऋषेस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा निशश्वास युधिष्ठिरः चिन्तयन्राजसूयाप्तिं न लेभे शर्म भारत
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said O descendant of Bharata, having heard these words of the Rishi (Narada) Yudhishthira heaved sight. Full of the thought of the Rajasuya, (sacrifice), the king did not get any peace of mind.
राजर्षीणां हि तं श्रुत्वा महिमानं महात्मनाम् यज्वनां कर्मभिः पुण्यैर्लोकप्राप्तिं समीक्ष्य च
AI Translation: Having heard of the greatness of the great-souled royal sages, and having considered the attainment of the world through the meritorious deeds of the sacrificers,
हरिश्चन्द्रं च राजर्षिं रोचमानं विशेषतः यज्वानं यज्ञमाहर्तुं राजसूयमियेष सः
AI Translation: And the royal sage Hariscandra, and especially Rochamāna, he went to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice, to invite the sacrificers.
युधिष्ठिरस्ततः सर्वानर्चयित्वा सभासदः प्रत्यर्चितश्च तैः सर्वैर्यज्ञायैव मनो दधे
M. N. Dutt: Having worshipped all his Sabhasadas (counsellors and officers) and having been worshipped by them in return, he consulted with them about the sacrifice.
स राजसूयं राजेन्द्र कुरूणामृषभः क्रतुम् आहर्तुं प्रवणं चक्रे मनः संचिन्त्य सोऽसकृत्
M. N. Dutt: O king of kings, having reflected much, the best of the Kurus, (Yudhishthira) resolved to make preparations to perform that sacrifice.
भूयश्चाद्भुतवीर्यौजा धर्ममेवानुपालयन् किं हितं सर्वलोकानां भवेदिति मनो दधे
M. N. Dutt: Reflecting upon virtue and righteousness, that king of wonderful energy and prowess set his heart to find out what should be beneficial to all his people.
अनुगृह्णन्प्रजाः सर्वाः सर्वधर्मविदां वरः अविशेषेण सर्वेषां हितं चक्रे युधिष्ठिरः
M. N. Dutt: The foremost of all virtuous men Yudhishthira, ever kind to all his subjects, always acted without any distinction for the good of all.
Supplementary Passages:
2.12.7 After 7, V1 B2-6 D S ins. (Cv glosses): *145 सर्वेषां दीयतां देयं मुष्णन्कोपमदावुभौ साधु धर्मेति धर्मेति नान्यच्छ्रूयेत भाषितम्
एवं गते ततस्तस्मिन्पितरीवाश्वसञ्जनाः न तस्य विद्यते द्वेष्टा ततोऽस्याजातशत्रुता
M. N. Dutt: Having thus conducted himself and having given every one paternal assurance, he had none in his kingdom who entertained any hostile feelings towards him. He therefore came to be called Ajatasatru (enemy-less).
स मन्त्रिणः समानाय्य भ्रातॄंश्च वदतां वरः राजसूयं प्रति तदा पुनः पुनरपृच्छत
M. N. Dutt: That foremost of speakers (Yudhishthira) summoned together his brothers and ministers and asked them again and again about the Rajasuya sacrifice.
ते पृच्छ्यमानाः सहिता वचोऽर्थ्यं मन्त्रिणस्तदा युधिष्ठिरं महाप्राज्ञं यियक्षुमिदमब्रुवन्
M. N. Dutt: Having been thus asked by the greatly wise Yudhishthira eager to perform the sacrifice, they spoke to him these words of grave import.
येनाभिषिक्तो नृपतिर्वारुणं गुणमृच्छति तेन राजापि सन्कृत्स्नं सम्राड्गुणमभीप्सति
M. N. Dutt: The Ministers said A king already in possession of a kingdom wishes to acquire all the attributes of an emperor by means of the sacrifice, (Rajasuya) a sacrifice that helps to acquire the attributes of Varuna.
तस्य सम्राड्गुणार्हस्य भवतः कुरुनन्दन राजसूयस्य समयं मन्यन्ते सुहृदस्तव
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Kuru, you are worthy the attributes of an emperor; therefore your friends consider that the time has come for you to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice.
तस्य यज्ञस्य समयः स्वाधीनः क्षत्रसंपदा साम्ना षडग्नयो यस्मिंश्चीयन्ते संशितव्रतैः
M. N. Dutt: In consequence of your Kshatriya possessions, the time for the performance of that sacrifice has come, the sacrifice in which the Rishis of rigid vows establish the six fires with the Mantras of the Sama Veda.
दर्वीहोमानुपादाय सर्वान्यः प्राप्नुते क्रतून् अभिषेकं च यज्ञान्ते सर्वजित्तेन चोच्यते
M. N. Dutt: At the conclusion of a Rajasuya sacrifice, the performer is said to be installed in the sovereignty of an empire; he is then rewarded with the fruits of all sacrifices including the Agnihotra sacrifice. It is for this he is called the conqueror of all.
समर्थोऽसि महाबाहो सर्वे ते वशगा वयम् अविचार्य महाराज राजसूये मनः कुरु
M. N. Dutt: O mighty armed hero, O great king, you are quite capable of performing this sacrifice. We are all obedient to you. You will soon be able to perform the Rajasuya.
Supplementary Passages:
2.12.15 After 15ab, B D (except D1) ins.: *146 अचिरात्त्वं महाराज राजसूयमवाप्स्यसि
इत्येवं सुहृदः सर्वे पृथक्च सह चाब्रुवन् स धर्म्यं पाण्डवस्तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा विशां पते धृष्टमिष्टं वरिष्ठं च जग्राह मनसारिहा
M. N. Dutt: O king, having heard their these virtuous, bold, agreeable and weighty words, the son of Pandu (Yudhishthira), accepted them in is mind.
श्रुत्वा सुहृद्वचस्तच्च जानंश्चाप्यात्मनः क्षमम् पुनः पुनर्मनो दध्रे राजसूयाय भारत
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, having heard these words of his friends and having known his own strength also, the king again thought in his mind about the Rajasuya.
Supplementary Passages:
2.12.17 After 17ab, S (G2 om. lines 4-6) ins. (Cv cites pratīkas of first 2 lines): *147 संप्रशस्तः क्षमारम्भः परीक्षामुपचक्रमे Colophon. वैशंपायनः चतुर्भिर्भीमसेनाद्यैर्भ्रातृभिः सहितैर्हितम् एवमुक्तस्तदा पार्थो धर्म एव मनो दधे स राजसूयं राजेन्द्रः कुरूणामृषभः क्रतुम् जगाम मनसा सद्य आहरिष्यन्युधिष्ठिरः भूयस्त्वद्भुतवीर्यौजा धर्ममेवानुपालयन्
स भ्रातृभिः पुनर्धीमानृत्विग्भिश्च महात्मभिः धौम्यद्वैपायनाद्यैश्च मन्त्रयामास मन्त्रिभिः
M. N. Dutt: The intelligent Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, ever wise in counsel, again consulted with his brothers, with his ministers, his Ritvijas, his priest, Dhaumya and Dvaipayana and others.
Supplementary Passages:
2.12.18 After 18ab, N ins.: *148 मन्त्रिभिश्चापि सहितो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः G2.3 ins. after 18: T1 G4-6, after 19: *149 भीमार्जुनयमैः सार्धं पार्षतेन च धीमता T1 G M1 ins. after 18 (G2.3, after 149*): *150 विराटद्रुपदाभ्यां च सात्यकेन च धीमता युधामन्यूत्तमौजोभ्यां सौभद्रेण च धीमता द्रौपदेयैः परं शूरैर्मन्त्रयामास संवृतः
युधिष्ठिर उवाच इयं या राजसूयस्य सम्राडर्हस्य सुक्रतोः श्रद्दधानस्य वदतः स्पृहा मे सा कथं भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said How can this Rajasuya sacrifice, which is worthy of an emperor and which my mind is desirous to perform, be accomplished only by my faith and speech?
वैशंपायन उवाच एवमुक्तास्तु ते तेन राज्ञा राजीवलोचन इदमूचुर्वचः काले धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम् अर्हस्त्वमसि धर्मज्ञ राजसूयं महाक्रतुम्
AI Translation: Vaishampayana said Thus addressed by the king, O lotus-eyed one, they spoke these words to Yudhishthira, the embodiment of Dharma, at the right time. "O knower of Dharma, you are worthy of performing the Rajasuya, the
अथैवमुक्ते नृपतावृत्विग्भिरृषिभिस्तथा मन्त्रिणो भ्रातरश्चास्य तद्वचः प्रत्यपूजयन्
AI Translation: Then, when this was said by the king, the priests and the sages, and his ministers and brothers, they honored those words.
स तु राजा महाप्राज्ञः पुनरेवात्मनात्मवान् भूयो विममृशे पार्थो लोकानां हितकाम्यया
AI Translation: But that king, the very wise one, again by himself, again reflected, desiring the welfare of the worlds.
सामर्थ्ययोगं संप्रेक्ष्य देशकालौ व्ययागमौ विमृश्य सम्यक्च धिया कुर्वन्प्राज्ञो न सीदति
AI Translation: Having considered the suitability of the time and place, the expenditure and income, and having properly reflected with wisdom, the wise one acts and does not fail.
Supplementary Passages:
2.12.23 S ins. after 23 (G3.4, after 21ab; G5, after 22ab): *151 सर्वैस्तैर्निश्चितमतिः काल इत्येव भारत
न हि यज्ञसमारम्भः केवलात्मविपत्तये भवतीति समाज्ञाय यत्नतः कार्यमुद्वहन्
AI Translation: For the beginning of a sacrifice is not for the sake of the mere destruction of the self. Having understood this, one should diligently undertake the performance.
स निश्चयार्थं कार्यस्य कृष्णमेव जनार्दनम् सर्वलोकात्परं मत्वा जगाम मनसा हरिम्
AI Translation: In order to ascertain the purpose of his task, he considered Krishna Janardana to be superior to all the worlds and mentally approached Hari.
अप्रमेयं महाबाहुं कामाज्जातमजं नृषु पाण्डवस्तर्कयामास कर्मभिर्देवसंमितैः
AI Translation: The mighty-armed one, the unborn one born from desire among men, The Pandava, who was equal to the gods in his deeds, contemplated.
नास्य किंचिदविज्ञातं नास्य किंचिदकर्मजम् न स किंचिन्न विषहेदिति कृष्णममन्यत
AI Translation: There was nothing he did not know, nothing that was not the result of his actions. There was nothing he could not bear. Thus he considered Krishna.
स तु तां नैष्ठिकीं बुद्धिं कृत्वा पार्थो युधिष्ठिरः गुरुवद्भूतगुरवे प्राहिणोद्दूतमञ्जसा
AI Translation: Having made up his mind to live the life of a recluse, Partha Yudhishthira sent a messenger to the Guru of the world, as if he were his own Guru.
शीघ्रगेन रथेनाशु स दूतः प्राप्य यादवान् द्वारकावासिनं कृष्णं द्वारवत्यां समासदत्
AI Translation: The messenger quickly reached the Yadus by chariot and went to Dvārakā, where he met Kṛṣṇa, who lived in Dvārakā.
Supplementary Passages:
2.12.29 After 29, S ins.: *152 स प्रह्वः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा विज्ञापयत माधवम् दूतः धर्मराजो हृषीकेश धौम्यव्यासादिभिः सह पाञ्चालमात्स्यसहितैर्भ्रातृभिश्चैव सर्वशः त्वद्दर्शनं महाबाहो काङ्क्षते स युधिष्ठिरः इन्द्रसेनवचः श्रुत्वा यादवप्रवरो बली
दर्शनाकाङ्क्षिणं पार्थं दर्शनाकाङ्क्षयाच्युतः इन्द्रसेनेन सहित इन्द्रप्रस्थं ययौ तदा
AI Translation: Accompanied by Indrasena, Achyuta went to Indraprastha, desiring to see Partha who was desirous of seeing him.
Supplementary Passages:
2.12.30 After 30ab, S ins.: *153 आमन्त्र्य वसुदेवं च बलदेवं च माधवः
व्यतीत्य विविधान्देशांस्त्वरावान्क्षिप्रवाहनः इन्द्रप्रस्थगतं पार्थमभ्यगच्छज्जनार्दनः
AI Translation: Having passed through various countries, the swift-moving Janārddana, who travels fast, approached the Pārtha who was in Indraprastha.
स गृहे भ्रातृवद्भ्रात्रा धर्मराजेन पूजितः भीमेन च ततोऽपश्यत्स्वसारं प्रीतिमान्पितुः
M. N. Dutt: Having arrived at Indraprastha, Janardana (Krishna) came to son of Pritha (Yudhishthira). He was worshipped by his cousin Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) in his house with paternal affection.
प्रीतः प्रियेण सुहृदा रेमे स सहितस्तदा अर्जुनेन यमाभ्यां च गुरुवत्पर्युपस्थितः
AI Translation: He was pleased and enjoyed himself with his beloved friend. He was attended upon by Arjuna, the twins, and others, as if they were his teachers.
तं विश्रान्तं शुभे देशे क्षणिनं कल्यमच्युतम् धर्मराजः समागम्य ज्ञापयत्स्वं प्रयोजनम्
AI Translation: Having arrived at a good place, he rested, being momentary, auspicious, and unchanging. Dharmaraja, having come, informed him of his purpose.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच प्रार्थितो राजसूयो मे न चासौ केवलेप्सया प्राप्यते येन तत्ते ह विदितं कृष्ण सर्वशः
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said. O Krishna, I have desired to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice, but it cannot be performed as by my simply wishing to perform it. You know every thing by which it may be accomplished.
यस्मिन्सर्वं संभवति यश्च सर्वत्र पूज्यते यश्च सर्वेश्वरो राजा राजसूयं स विन्दति
M. N. Dutt: He in whom every thing is possible he who is worshipped every where and he who is the king of all kings can alone perform this sacrifice.
तं राजसूयं सुहृदः कार्यमाहुः समेत्य मे तत्र मे निश्चिततमं तव कृष्ण गिरा भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: O Krishna, my friends and ministers have said that I should perform it, but your words will be my guide in this matter.
केचिद्धि सौहृदादेव दोषं न परिचक्षते अर्थहेतोस्तथैवान्ये प्रियमेव वदन्त्युत
M. N. Dutt: Some (counsellors) do not notice faults (difficulties) out of friendship. Some out of self interest say only that which will be agreeable to the hearer.
प्रियमेव परीप्सन्ते केचिदात्मनि यद्धितम् एवंप्रायाश्च दृश्यन्ते जनवादाः प्रयोजने
M. N. Dutt: Some again consider that which is beneficial to them as the fittest thing to be adopted, Men are seen to advice thus in business.
त्वं तु हेतूनतीत्यैतान्कामक्रोधौ व्यतीत्य च परमं नः क्षमं लोके यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि
M. N. Dutt: You are above all motives; you have conquered anger and desire; you should tell me which is most beneficial to the world.