Adhyaya 74

Verse 1

श्रीशुक उवाच एवं युधिष्ठिरो राजा जरासन्धवधं विभो: । कृष्णस्य चानुभावं तं श्रुत्वा प्रीतस्तमब्रवीत् ॥ १ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing of Jarāsandha’s death and of the wondrous might of almighty Śrī Kṛṣṇa, King Yudhiṣṭhira, filled with joy, addressed the Lord as follows.

Verse 2

श्रीयुधिष्ठिर उवाच ये स्युस्‍त्रैलोक्यगुरव: सर्वे लोकामहेश्वरा: । वहन्ति दुर्लभं लब्ध्वा शिरसैवानुशासनम् ॥ २ ॥

Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira said: All the exalted teachers of the three worlds, along with the inhabitants and rulers of the various realms, bear upon their heads Your command, so rarely attained.

Verse 3

स भवानरविन्दाक्षो दीनानामीशमानिनाम् । धत्तेऽनुशासनं भूमंस्तदत्यन्तविडम्बनम् ॥ ३ ॥

O lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, that You accept the orders of wretched fools who fancy themselves rulers, O all-pervading one, is a most profound pretense within Your divine līlā.

Verse 4

न ह्येकस्याद्वितीयस्य ब्रह्मण: परमात्मन: । कर्मभिर्वर्धते तेजो ह्रसते च यथा रवे: ॥ ४ ॥

Yet the splendor of the Absolute Truth—the Paramātmā, the primeval One without a second—is neither increased nor diminished by His acts, just as the sun’s power is not altered by its movement.

Verse 5

न वै तेऽजित भक्तानां ममाहमिति माधव । त्वं तवेति च नानाधी: पशूनामिव वैकृती ॥ ५ ॥

O unconquerable Mādhava, Your devotees do not entertain the divisions of “I” and “mine,” “you” and “yours,” for such perverted thinking belongs to animals.

Verse 6

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्युक्त्वा यज्ञिये काले वव्रे युक्तान् स ऋत्विज: । कृष्णानुमोदित: पार्थो ब्राह्मणान् ब्रह्मवादिन: ॥ ६ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having spoken thus, King Yudhiṣṭhira waited until the auspicious time for the sacrifice arrived. Then, with Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s permission, he chose suitable ṛtvij priests—brāhmaṇas expert in the Vedas and authoritative speakers on Brahman—to perform the yajña.

Verse 7

द्वैपायनो भरद्वाज: सुमन्तुर्गोतमोऽसित: । वसिष्ठश्‍च्यवन: कण्वो मैत्रेय: कवषस्‍त्रित: ॥ ७ ॥ विश्वामित्रो वामदेव: सुमतिर्जैमिनि: क्रतु: । पैल: पराशरो गर्गो वैशम्पायन एव च ॥ ८ ॥ अथर्वा कश्यपो धौम्यो रामो भार्गव आसुरि: । वीतिहोत्रो मधुच्छन्दा वीरसेनोऽकृतव्रण: ॥ ९ ॥

He selected Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana (Vyāsa), Bharadvāja, Sumantu, Gotama and Asita, along with Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Kavaṣa and Trita. He also chose Viśvāmitra, Vāmadeva, Sumati, Jaimini, Kratu, Paila and Parāśara, as well as Garga, Vaiśampāyana, Atharvā, Kaśyapa, Dhaumya, Rāma of the Bhārgavas, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena and Akṛtavraṇa, appointing them as ṛtvij priests for the sacrifice.

Verse 8

द्वैपायनो भरद्वाज: सुमन्तुर्गोतमोऽसित: । वसिष्ठश्‍च्यवन: कण्वो मैत्रेय: कवषस्‍त्रित: ॥ ७ ॥ विश्वामित्रो वामदेव: सुमतिर्जैमिनि: क्रतु: । पैल: पराशरो गर्गो वैशम्पायन एव च ॥ ८ ॥ अथर्वा कश्यपो धौम्यो रामो भार्गव आसुरि: । वीतिहोत्रो मधुच्छन्दा वीरसेनोऽकृतव्रण: ॥ ९ ॥

For the yajña, those great sages headed by Dvaipāyana were appointed as ṛtvij priests. Learned in the Vedas and steadfast in Brahman, they would help the king complete the sacrifice according to sacred rite.

Verse 9

द्वैपायनो भरद्वाज: सुमन्तुर्गोतमोऽसित: । वसिष्ठश्‍च्यवन: कण्वो मैत्रेय: कवषस्‍त्रित: ॥ ७ ॥ विश्वामित्रो वामदेव: सुमतिर्जैमिनि: क्रतु: । पैल: पराशरो गर्गो वैशम्पायन एव च ॥ ८ ॥ अथर्वा कश्यपो धौम्यो रामो भार्गव आसुरि: । वीतिहोत्रो मधुच्छन्दा वीरसेनोऽकृतव्रण: ॥ ९ ॥

Great sages such as Viśvāmitra and the others were fully capable of executing every limb of the yajña according to rule. By choosing them, the king’s sacrifice became supremely pure and splendid.

Verse 10

उपहूतास्तथा चान्ये द्रोणभीष्मकृपादय: । धृतराष्ट्र: सहसुतो विदुरश्च महामति: ॥ १० ॥ ब्राह्मणा: क्षत्रिया वैश्या: शूद्रा यज्ञदिद‍ृक्षव: । तत्रेयु: सर्वराजानो राज्ञां प्रकृतयो नृप ॥ ११ ॥

O King, others who were invited included Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa and the rest, as well as Dhṛtarāṣṭra with his sons and the greatly wise Vidura. Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras—eager to behold the yajña—also came there. Indeed, all the kings arrived with their entourages.

Verse 11

उपहूतास्तथा चान्ये द्रोणभीष्मकृपादय: । धृतराष्ट्र: सहसुतो विदुरश्च महामति: ॥ १० ॥ ब्राह्मणा: क्षत्रिया वैश्या: शूद्रा यज्ञदिद‍ृक्षव: । तत्रेयु: सर्वराजानो राज्ञां प्रकृतयो नृप ॥ ११ ॥

O King, among those invited were Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, Dhṛtarāṣṭra with his sons, and the greatly wise Vidura. Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras, eager to behold the sacrifice, and all the kings as well, came there with their entourages.

Verse 12

ततस्ते देवयजनं ब्राह्मणा: स्वर्णलाङ्गलै: । कृष्ट्वा तत्र यथाम्नायं दीक्षयां चक्रिरे नृपम् ॥ १२ ॥

The brāhmaṇa priests then plowed the sacrificial ground with golden plowshares and, in accord with authorized tradition, initiated King Yudhiṣṭhira for the yajña.

Verse 13

हैमा: किलोपकरणा वरुणस्य यथा पुरा । इन्द्रादयो लोकपाला विरिञ्चिभवसंयुता: ॥ १३ ॥ सगणा: सिद्धगन्धर्वा विद्याधरमहोरगा: । मुनयो यक्षरक्षांसि खगकिन्नरचारणा: ॥ १४ ॥ राजानश्च समाहूता राजपत्न्‍यश्च सर्वश: । राजसूयं समीयु: स्म राज्ञ: पाण्डुसुतस्य वै । मेनिरे कृष्णभक्तस्य सूपपन्नमविस्मिता: ॥ १५ ॥

The sacrificial utensils were of gold, as in the ancient Rājasūya once performed by Lord Varuṇa. Indra and the other rulers of the worlds came with Brahmā and Śiva; the Siddhas and Gandharvas with their retinues; the Vidyādharas; great serpents; sages; Yakṣas and Rākṣasas; celestial birds; Kinnaras; Cāraṇas; and the kings of the earth with their queens. All were invited, and from every direction they assembled for the Rājasūya of King Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Pāṇḍu. Seeing such opulence, they were not at all astonished, for it was perfectly fitting for a devotee of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Verse 14

हैमा: किलोपकरणा वरुणस्य यथा पुरा । इन्द्रादयो लोकपाला विरिञ्चिभवसंयुता: ॥ १३ ॥ सगणा: सिद्धगन्धर्वा विद्याधरमहोरगा: । मुनयो यक्षरक्षांसि खगकिन्नरचारणा: ॥ १४ ॥ राजानश्च समाहूता राजपत्न्‍यश्च सर्वश: । राजसूयं समीयु: स्म राज्ञ: पाण्डुसुतस्य वै । मेनिरे कृष्णभक्तस्य सूपपन्नमविस्मिता: ॥ १५ ॥

The sacrificial utensils were of gold, as in the ancient Rājasūya once performed by Lord Varuṇa. Indra and the other rulers of the worlds came with Brahmā and Śiva; the Siddhas and Gandharvas with their retinues; the Vidyādharas; great serpents; sages; Yakṣas and Rākṣasas; celestial birds; Kinnaras; Cāraṇas; and the kings of the earth with their queens. All were invited, and from every direction they assembled for the Rājasūya of King Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Pāṇḍu. Seeing such opulence, they were not at all astonished, for it was perfectly fitting for a devotee of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Verse 15

हैमा: किलोपकरणा वरुणस्य यथा पुरा । इन्द्रादयो लोकपाला विरिञ्चिभवसंयुता: ॥ १३ ॥ सगणा: सिद्धगन्धर्वा विद्याधरमहोरगा: । मुनयो यक्षरक्षांसि खगकिन्नरचारणा: ॥ १४ ॥ राजानश्च समाहूता राजपत्न्‍यश्च सर्वश: । राजसूयं समीयु: स्म राज्ञ: पाण्डुसुतस्य वै । मेनिरे कृष्णभक्तस्य सूपपन्नमविस्मिता: ॥ १५ ॥

The sacrificial utensils were of gold, as in the ancient Rājasūya once performed by Lord Varuṇa. Indra and the other rulers of the worlds came with Brahmā and Śiva; the Siddhas and Gandharvas with their retinues; the Vidyādharas; great serpents; sages; Yakṣas and Rākṣasas; celestial birds; Kinnaras; Cāraṇas; and the kings of the earth with their queens. All were invited, and from every direction they assembled for the Rājasūya of King Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Pāṇḍu. Seeing such opulence, they were not at all astonished, for it was perfectly fitting for a devotee of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Verse 16

अयाजयन् महाराजं याजका देववर्चस: । राजसूयेन विधिवत् प्रचेतसमिवामरा: ॥ १६ ॥

The priests, radiant with power like the gods, duly performed the Rājasūya sacrifice for King Yudhiṣṭhira according to Vedic injunctions, just as the demigods once performed it for Varuṇa (Pracetas).

Verse 17

सूत्येऽहन्यवनीपालो याजकान् सदसस्पतीन् । अपूजयन् महाभागान् यथावत् सुसमाहित: ॥ १७ ॥

On the day of pressing the soma, King Yudhiṣṭhira, fully attentive and composed, properly worshiped and honored the priests and the most exalted leaders of the assembly.

Verse 18

सदस्याग्र्‍यार्हणार्हं वै विमृशन्त: सभासद: । नाध्यगच्छन्ननैकान्त्यात् सहदेवस्तदाब्रवीत् ॥ १८ ॥

The assembly members pondered who should be honored first, but because many were worthy of that distinction, they could not decide. Then Sahadeva spoke up.

Verse 19

अर्हति ह्यच्युत: श्रैष्ठ्यं भगवान् सात्वतां पति: । एष वै देवता: सर्वा देशकालधनादय: ॥ १९ ॥

[Sahadeva said:] Surely Acyuta—the Bhagavān, Lord of the Sātvatas—deserves the highest honor. In truth, He Himself is all the deities worshiped in sacrifice, and also the sacred place, the time, and all the wealth and paraphernalia of worship.

Verse 20

यदात्मकमिदं विश्वं क्रतवश्च यदात्मका: । अग्निराहुतयो मन्त्रा साङ्ख्यं योगश्च यत्पर: ॥ २० ॥ एक एवाद्वितीयोऽसावैतदात्म्यमिदं जगत् । आत्मनात्माश्रय: सभ्या: सृजत्यवति हन्त्यज: ॥ २१ ॥

This entire universe rests upon Him, and so do the great sacrifices with their sacred fires, oblations, and mantras. Both Sāṅkhya and yoga aim toward Him, the One without a second. O members of the assembly, that unborn Lord, relying only upon Himself, creates, maintains, and destroys this cosmos by His own energies; thus the existence of the world depends on Him alone.

Verse 21

यदात्मकमिदं विश्वं क्रतवश्च यदात्मका: । अग्निराहुतयो मन्त्रा साङ्ख्यं योगश्च यत्पर: ॥ २० ॥ एक एवाद्वितीयोऽसावैतदात्म्यमिदं जगत् । आत्मनात्माश्रय: सभ्या: सृजत्यवति हन्त्यज: ॥ २१ ॥

This entire universe rests upon Him; the great sacrifices, with their sacred fires, oblations, and mantras, are also of His very nature. Sāṅkhya and yoga both seek Him, the one without a second. O members of the assembly, that unborn Lord, relying only upon Himself, by His own energies creates, maintains, and destroys this cosmos; thus the existence of the world depends on Him alone.

Verse 22

विविधानीह कर्माणि जनयन् यदवेक्षया । ईहते यदयं सर्व: श्रेयो धर्मादिलक्षणम् ॥ २२ ॥

He brings forth the many activities of this world, and by His merciful glance the whole world strives for the auspicious aims known as dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa.

Verse 23

तस्मात् कृष्णाय महते दीयतां परमार्हणम् । एवं चेत् सर्वभूतानामात्मनश्चार्हणं भवेत् ॥ २३ ॥

Therefore let the highest honor be offered to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord. By doing so, we honor all living beings and also our own selves.

Verse 24

सर्वभूतात्मभूताय कृष्णायानन्यदर्शिने । देयं शान्ताय पूर्णाय दत्तस्यानन्त्यमिच्छता ॥ २४ ॥

One who wishes the honor he offers to be repaid without limit should honor Kṛṣṇa—the Soul of all beings, who sees nothing as separate from Himself—perfectly peaceful and perfectly complete.

Verse 25

इत्युक्त्वा सहदेवोऽभूत् तूष्णीं कृष्णानुभाववित् । तच्छ्रुत्वा तुष्टुवु: सर्वे साधु साध्विति सत्तमा: ॥ २५ ॥

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Having spoken thus, Sahadeva, who understood Lord Kṛṣṇa’s potency, fell silent. Hearing his words, all the saintly persons present praised him, exclaiming, “Sādhu! Sādhu! (Excellent! Excellent!)”

Verse 26

श्रुत्वा द्विजेरितं राजा ज्ञात्वा हार्दं सभासदाम् । समर्हयद्‍धृषीकेशं प्रीत: प्रणयविह्वल: ॥ २६ ॥

Hearing the brāhmaṇas’ pronouncement, the King understood the heart of the entire assembly. Overwhelmed with loving devotion, he fully worshiped Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Hṛṣīkeśa, the Lord of the senses.

Verse 27

तत्पादाववनिज्याप: शिरसा लोकपावनी: । सभार्य: सानुजामात्य: सकुटुम्बो वहन्मुदा ॥ २७ ॥ वासोभि: पीतकौषेयैर्भूषणैश्च महाधनै: । अर्हयित्वाश्रुपूर्णाक्षो नाशकत् समवेक्षितुम् ॥ २८ ॥

After washing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira joyfully placed that world-purifying water upon his own head, and then upon the heads of his wife, brothers, relatives, and ministers.

Verse 28

तत्पादाववनिज्याप: शिरसा लोकपावनी: । सभार्य: सानुजामात्य: सकुटुम्बो वहन्मुदा ॥ २७ ॥ वासोभि: पीतकौषेयैर्भूषणैश्च महाधनै: । अर्हयित्वाश्रुपूर्णाक्षो नाशकत् समवेक्षितुम् ॥ २८ ॥

He then honored the Lord with yellow silken garments and precious jeweled ornaments; but with eyes brimming with tears, he could not gaze upon the Lord directly.

Verse 29

इत्थं सभाजितं वीक्ष्य सर्वे प्राञ्जलयो जना: । नमो जयेति नेमुस्तं निपेतु: पुष्पवृष्टय: ॥ २९ ॥

Seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa thus honored, nearly all present folded their hands and cried, “Obeisances! Victory!” and bowed down to Him. From above, a rain of flowers fell.

Verse 30

इत्थं निशम्य दमघोषसुत: स्वपीठा- दुत्थाय कृष्णगुणवर्णनजातमन्यु: । उत्क्षिप्य बाहुमिदमाह सदस्यमर्षी संश्रावयन् भगवते परुषाण्यभीत: ॥ ३० ॥

Hearing the glorification of Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental qualities, the intolerant son of Damaghoṣa (Śiśupāla) blazed with anger. Rising from his seat and waving his arms, he fearlessly addressed the assembly with harsh words against the Supreme Lord.

Verse 31

ईशो दुरत्यय: काल इति सत्यवती श्रुति: । वृद्धानामपि यद् बुद्धिर्बालवाक्यैर्विभिद्यते ॥ ३१ ॥

[Śiśupāla said:] The Vedic truth that Time is the unavoidable lord has indeed been proven, for even the intelligence of venerable elders has been turned aside by the words of a mere boy.

Verse 32

यूयं पात्रविदां श्रेष्ठा मा मन्ध्वं बालभाषितम् । सदसस्पतय: सर्वे कृष्णो यत् सम्मतोऽर्हणे ॥ ३२ ॥

O leaders of the assembly, you are foremost in judging who is worthy of honor; do not heed a child’s speech. Even if he claims that Kṛṣṇa deserves worship, do not accept it.

Verse 33

तपोविद्याव्रतधरान् ज्ञानविध्वस्तकल्मषान् । परमऋषीन्ब्रह्मनिष्ठाल्ँ लोकपालैश्च पूजितान् ॥ ३३ ॥ सदस्पतीनतिक्रम्य गोपाल: कुलपांसन: । यथा काक: पुरोडाशं सपर्यां कथमर्हति ॥ ३४ ॥

How can you pass over the most exalted members of this assembly—supreme sages fixed in Brahman, endowed with austerity, sacred learning and severe vows, purified by knowledge and honored even by the guardians of the worlds—and then deem this cowherd, a stain upon his clan, worthy of worship?

Verse 34

तपोविद्याव्रतधरान् ज्ञानविध्वस्तकल्मषान् । परमऋषीन्ब्रह्मनिष्ठाल्ँ लोकपालैश्च पूजितान् ॥ ३३ ॥ सदस्पतीनतिक्रम्य गोपाल: कुलपांसन: । यथा काक: पुरोडाशं सपर्यां कथमर्हति ॥ ३४ ॥

Just as a crow is not fit to partake of the sacred puroḍāśa offering, so how can this cowherd—said to be a disgrace to his clan—deserve your worship?

Verse 35

वर्णाश्रमकुलापेत: सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृत: । स्वैरवर्ती गुणैर्हीन: सपर्यां कथमर्हति ॥ ३५ ॥

How can one who has fallen away from varṇāśrama and family duty, been cast out from all religious obligations, acts whimsically, and lacks good qualities—how can such a person deserve worship?

Verse 36

ययातिनैषां हि कुलं शप्तं सद्भ‍िर्बहिष्कृतम् । वृथापानरतं शश्वत् सपर्यां कथमर्हति ॥ ३६ ॥

Yayāti cursed the lineage of these Yādavas; ever since, the righteous have cast them out, and they remain perpetually addicted to drink. How, then, could Śrī Kṛṣṇa be worthy of worship?

Verse 37

ब्रह्मर्षिसेवितान् देशान् हित्वैतेऽब्रह्मवर्चसम् । समुद्रं दुर्गमाश्रित्य बाधन्ते दस्यव: प्रजा: ॥ ३७ ॥

They have abandoned the holy lands served by the brahmarṣis and taken shelter in a place devoid of brahminical splendor. Relying on an inaccessible sea-fortress, they harass their subjects like thieves.

Verse 38

एवमादीन्यभद्राणि बभाषे नष्टमङ्गल: । नोवाच किञ्चिद्भगवान्यथा सिंह: शिवारुतम् ॥ ३८ ॥

Thus, bereft of all auspicious fortune, Śiśupāla spoke these and other vile insults. Yet the Supreme Lord said nothing, as a lion ignores a jackal’s cry.

Verse 39

भगवन्निन्दनं श्रुत्वा दु:सहं तत् सभासद: । कर्णौ पिधाय निर्जग्मु: शपन्तश्चेदिपं रुषा ॥ ३९ ॥

Hearing such unbearable blasphemy of the Lord, several in the assembly covered their ears and walked out, angrily cursing the king of Cedi.

Verse 40

निन्दां भगवत: श‍ृण्वंस्तत्परस्य जनस्य वा । ततो नापैति य: सोऽपि यात्यध: सुकृताच्च्युत: ॥ ४० ॥

Anyone who hears criticism of the Supreme Lord or of His devoted servant and does not immediately leave that place will surely fall down, stripped of all pious merit.

Verse 41

तत: पाण्डुसुता: क्रुद्धा मत्स्यकैकयसृञ्जया: । उदायुधा: समुत्तस्थु: शिशुपालजिघांसव: ॥ ४१ ॥

Then the sons of Pāṇḍu blazed with anger, and along with the warriors of the Matsya, Kaikaya and Sṛñjaya clans, they rose from their seats with weapons raised, intent on killing Śiśupāla.

Verse 42

ततश्चैद्यस्त्वसम्भ्रान्तो जगृहे खड्‍गचर्मणी । भर्त्सयन् कृष्णपक्षीयान् राज्ञ: सदसि भारत ॥ ४२ ॥

Then Śiśupāla of Cedi, undaunted, seized his sword and shield. O Bhārata, in the midst of the kings’ assembly he hurled insults at those who stood on the side of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Verse 43

तावदुत्थाय भगवान् स्वान् निवार्य स्वयं रुषा । शिर: क्षुरान्तचक्रेण जहारपततो रिपो: ॥ ४३ ॥

At that moment the Supreme Lord rose and restrained His devotees. Then, in wrath, He released His razor-sharp Sudarśana disc and severed the head of the enemy as he rushed to attack.

Verse 44

शब्द: कोलाहलोऽथासीच्छिशुपाले हते महान् । तस्यानुयायिनो भूपा दुद्रुवुर्जीवितैषिण: ॥ ४४ ॥

When Śiśupāla was slain, a great roar and tumult arose. Seizing the confusion, the few kings who had followed him quickly fled the assembly, anxious to save their lives.

Verse 45

चैद्यदेहोत्थितं ज्योतिर्वासुदेवमुपाविशत् । पश्यतां सर्वभूतानामुल्केव भुवि खाच्च्युता ॥ ४५ ॥

From Śiśupāla’s body a radiant light arose, and before the eyes of all beings it entered Vāsudeva, Lord Kṛṣṇa, like a meteor falling from the sky to the earth.

Verse 46

जन्मत्रयानुगुणितवैरसंरब्धया धिया । ध्यायंस्तन्मयतां यातो भावो हि भवकारणम् ॥ ४६ ॥

Absorbed in hatred of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa through three lifetimes, Śiśupāla attained the Lord’s transcendental nature; for one’s inner consciousness is indeed the cause of one’s future birth.

Verse 47

ऋत्विग्भ्य: ससदस्येभ्यो दक्षिणां विपुलामदात् । सर्वान् सम्पूज्य विधिवच्चक्रेऽवभृथमेकराट् ॥ ४७ ॥

Emperor Yudhiṣṭhira bestowed abundant gifts upon the sacrificial priests and the members of the assembly, honoring them all according to Vedic rule, and then he performed the avabhṛtha bath.

Verse 48

साधयित्वा क्रतु: राज्ञ: कृष्णो योगेश्वरेश्वर: । उवास कतिचिन्मासान् सुहृद्भ‍िरभियाचित: ॥ ४८ ॥

Thus Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of all lords of mystic yoga, ensured the successful completion of that great sacrifice for King Yudhiṣṭhira, and afterward, at His dear friends’ earnest request, He stayed there for a few months.

Verse 49

ततोऽनुज्ञाप्य राजानमनिच्छन्तमपीश्वर: । ययौ सभार्य: सामात्य: स्वपुरं देवकीसुत: ॥ ४९ ॥

Then the Lord, Devakī’s son, took leave of the King—though the King was reluctant—and returned to His own capital accompanied by His wives and ministers.

Verse 50

वर्णितं तदुपाख्यानं मया ते बहुविस्तरम् । वैकुण्ठवासिनोर्जन्म विप्रशापात् पुन: पुन: ॥ ५० ॥

I have already described to you at length the account of the two residents of Vaikuṇṭha who, because of the curse of brāhmaṇas, were compelled to take birth again and again in the material world.

Verse 51

राजसूयावभृथ्येन स्‍नातो राजा युधिष्ठिर: । ब्रह्मक्षत्रसभामध्ये शुशुभे सुरराडिव ॥ ५१ ॥

Cleansed by the concluding avabhṛthya bath of the Rājasūya sacrifice, King Yudhiṣṭhira shone in the assembly of brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas like Indra, the king of the devas.

Verse 52

राज्ञा सभाजिता: सर्वे सुरमानवखेचरा: । कृष्णं क्रतुं च शंसन्त: स्वधामानि ययुर्मुदा ॥ ५२ ॥

Properly honored by the King, the devas, humans, and dwellers of the intermediate heavens departed joyfully to their own abodes, singing the praises of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the great sacrifice.

Verse 53

दुर्योधनमृते पापं कलिं कुरुकुलामयम् । यो न सेहे श्रियं स्फीतां द‍ृष्ट्वा पाण्डुसुतस्य ताम् ॥ ५३ ॥

All were satisfied except sinful Duryodhana—an embodiment of Kali, the disease of the Kuru line—who could not bear to see the flourishing opulence of Pāṇḍu’s son.

Verse 54

य इदं कीर्तयेद् विष्णो: कर्म चैद्यवधादिकम् । राजमोक्षं वितानं च सर्वपापै: प्रमुच्यते ॥ ५४ ॥

One who recites these deeds of Lord Viṣṇu—including the slaying of Śiśupāla, the deliverance of the kings, and the performance of the Rājasūya sacrifice—is freed from all sins.