Vaisampayana continued, "Then all the artisans, the principal
counsellors, and the highly wise Vidura said unto Dhritarashtra's son,
'All the preparations for the excellent sacrifice have been made, O
king; and the time also hath come, O Bharata. And the exceedingly
precious golden plough hath been constructed.' Hearing this, O monarch,
that best of kings, Dhritarashtra's son commanded that prince among
sacrifices to be commenced. Then commenced that sacrifice sanctified by
_mantras_, and abounding in edibles, and the son of Gandhari was duly
initiated according to the ordinance. And Dhritarashtra, and the
illustrious Vidura, and Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and
the celebrated Gandhari experienced great delight. And, O foremost of
kings, Duryodhana despatched swift messengers to invite the princes and
the Brahmanas. And mounting fleet vehicles they went to the (respective)
directions assigned to them. Then to a certain messenger on the point of
setting out, Dussasana said, 'Go thou speedily to the woods of _Dwaita_;
and in that forest duly invite the Brahmanas and those wicked persons,
the Pandavas.' Thereupon, he repaired thither, and bowing down to all
the Pandavas, said, 'Having acquired immense wealth by his native
prowess, that best of kings and foremost of Kurus, Duryodhana, O
monarch, is celebrating a sacrifice. Thither are going from various
directions the kings and the Brahmanas. O king, I have been sent by the
high-souled Kaurava. That king and lord of men, Dhritarashtra's son,
invites you. It behoveth you, therefore, to witness the delightful
sacrifice of that monarch.'
"Hearing these words of the messenger, that tiger among kings, the royal
Yudhishthira, said, 'By good luck it is that that enhancer of the glory
of his ancestors, king Suyodhana is celebrating this best of sacrifices.
We should certainly repair thither; but we cannot do now; for till (the
completion of) the thirteenth year, we shall have to observe our vow.'
Hearing this speech of Yudhishthira the just, Bhima said these words,
'Then will king Yudhishthira the just go thither, when he will cast him
(Duryodhana) into the fire kindled by weapons. Do thou say unto
Suyodhana. "_When after the expiration of the thirteenth year, that lord
of men, the Pandava, will, in the sacrifice of battle, pour upon the
Dhritarashtras, the clarified butter of his ire, then will I come!_"' But
the other Pandavas, O king, did not say anything unpleasant. The
messenger (on his return) related unto Dhritarashtra's son all as it had
fallen out. Then there came to the city of Dhritarashtra many foremost
of men, lords of various countries, and highly virtuous Brahmanas. And
duly received in order according to the ordinance, those lords of men
experienced great delight and were all well-pleased. And that foremost
among monarchs--Dhritarashtra--surrounded by all the Kauravas,
experienced the height of joy, and spake unto Vidura, saying, 'Do thou,
O Kshatta, speedily so act that all persons in the sacrificial compound
may be served with food, be refreshed and satisfied.' Thereupon, O
represser of foes, assenting to that order, the learned Vidura versed in
morality, cheerfully entertained all the orders in proper measure with
meat and beverages to eat and drink, and fragrant garland and various
kinds of attire. And having constructed pavilions (for their
accommodation), that hero and foremost of kings, duly entertained the
princes and the Brahmanas by thousands, and also bestowing upon them
wealth of various kinds, bade them farewell. And having dismissed all
the kings, he entered Hastinapura, surrounded by his brothers, and in
company with Karna and Suvala's son."