Vaisampayana said,--"then, O king, Yudhishthira, having approached and
worshipped his grandfather and his preceptor, addressed Bhishma and
Drona and Kripa and the son of Drona and Duryyodhana and Vivingsati,
and said,--'Help me ye all in the matter of this sacrifice. This large
treasure that is here is yours. Consult ye with one another and guide
me as ye desire.'
"The eldest of the sons of Pandu, who had been installed at the
sacrifice, having said this unto all, appointed every one of them to
suitable offices. He appointed Dussasana to superintend the department
of food and other enjoyable articles. Aswatthama was asked to attend on
the Brahmanas. Sanjaya was appointed to offer return-worship unto the
kings. Bhishma and Drona, both endued with great intelligence, were
appointed to see what was done and what was left undone. And the king
appointed Kripa to look after the diamonds and gold and the pearls and
gems, as also after the distribution of gifts to Brahmanas. And so
other tigers among men were appointed to similar offices. Valhika and
Dhritarashtra and Somadatta and Jayadratha, brought thither by Nakula,
went about, enjoying themselves as lords of the sacrifice. Vidura
otherwise called Kshatta, conversant with every rule of morality,
became the disburser. Duryyodhana became the receiver of the tributes
that were brought by the kings. Krishna who was himself the centre of
all worlds and round whom moved every creature, desirous of acquiring
excellent fruits, was engaged at his own will in washing the feet of
the Brahmanas.
"And desirous of beholding that sacrificial mansion, as also king
Yudhishthira the just, none came there with tribute less than a
thousand (in number, weight or measure). Everyone honoured the king
Yudhishthira the just with large presents of jewels. And each of the
kings made a present of his wealth, flattering himself with the proud
belief that the jewels he gave would enable the Kuru king Yudhisthira
to complete his sacrifice. And, O monarch, the sacrificial compound of
the illustrious son of Kunti looked extremely handsome--with the
multitude of palaces built so as to last for ever and crowded with
guards and warriors. These were so high that their tops touched the
cars of the gods that came to behold that sacrifice; as also with the
cars themselves of the celestials, and with the dwelling of the
Brahmanas and the mansions made there for the kings resembling the cars
of the celestials and adorned with gems and filled with every kind of
wealth, and lastly with crowds of the kings that came there all endued
with beauty and wealth. Yudhisthira, as though vying with Varuna
himself in wealth, commenced the sacrifice (of Rajasuya) distinguished
by six fires and large gifts to Brahmanas. The King gratified everybody
with presents of great value and indeed with every kind of object that
one could desire. With abundance of rice and of every kind of food, as
also with a mass of jewels brought as tribute, that vast concourse
consisted of persons every one of whom was fed to the full. The gods
also were gratified at the sacrifice by the Ida, clarified butter, Homa
and libations poured by the great Rishis versed in mantras and
pronunciation. Like the gods, the Brahmanas also were gratified with
the sacrificial gifts and food and great wealth. And all the other
orders of men also were gratified at that sacrifice and filled with
joy."