Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 8
Duryodhana’s Envy at Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya and the Avabhṛtha Festival
ऋत्विक्सदस्यबहुवित्सु सुहृत्तमेषु स्विष्टेषु सूनृतसमर्हणदक्षिणाभि: । चैद्ये च सात्वतपतेश्चरणं प्रविष्टे चक्रुस्ततस्त्ववभृथस्नपनं द्युनद्याम् ॥ ८ ॥
ṛtvik-sadasya-bahu-vitsu suhṛttameṣu sv-iṣṭeṣu sūnṛta-samarhaṇa-dakṣiṇābhiḥ caidye ca sātvata-pateś caraṇaṁ praviṣṭe cakrus tatas tv avabhṛtha-snapanaṁ dyu-nadyām
After the priests, eminent delegates, deeply learned sages, and the king’s closest well-wishers had been properly honored with pleasing words, auspicious offerings, and various gifts as dakṣiṇā, and after the king of Cedi had taken shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord of the Sātvatas, the avabhṛtha bath was performed in the divine river Yamunā.
The gifts offered to the distinguished guests included valuable jewelry.
FAQs
Avabhṛtha snāna is the concluding ceremonial bath performed after a major sacrifice; here it marks the completion of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya, after honoring priests and guests and after Śiśupāla’s liberation.
After being slain by Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Śiśupāla is described as entering the Lord’s feet—indicating release from material identity and absorption into the Supreme, a form of liberation granted by the Lord.
It teaches to complete duties properly—honor teachers, elders, and well-wishers with respectful words and fair offerings, and then conclude undertakings with purification and remembrance of God.