Shloka 16
Droṇānīka-praveśa: Arjuna’s respectful appeal to Droṇa and renewed advance toward Jayadratha (द्रोणानीकप्रवेशः)
समुद्र, वन, द्वीप, नदी, नद, कानन, नगर, राष्ट्र आकाश तथा स्वर्गमें जो नाना प्रकारके प्राणिसमुदाय रहते थे, वे उस यज्ञकी सम्पत्तिसे तृप्त होकर कहने लगे, राजा गयके समान दूसरे किसीका यज्ञ नहीं हुआ है ।। षट्त्रिंशद् योजनायामा त्रिंशदू योजनमायता । पश्चात् पुरश्नतुर्विशद् वेदी ह्यासीद्धिरण्मयी,यथोक्ता दक्षिणाश्षान्या विप्रेभ्यो भूरिदक्षिण: । यजमान गयके यज्ञमें छत्तीस योजन लम्बी, तीस योजन चौड़ी और आगे-पीछे (अर्थात् नीचेसे ऊपरको) चौबीस योजन ऊँची सुवर्णमयी वेदी बनवायी गयी थी-। उसके ऊपर हीरे- मोती एवं मणिरत्न बिछाये गये थे। प्रचुर दक्षिणा देनेवाले गयने ब्राह्मणोंको वस्त्र, आभूषण तथा अन्य शास्त्रोक्त दक्षिणाएँ दी थीं
nārada uvāca |
ṣaṭtriṃśad yojanāyāmā triṃśad yojanam āyatā |
paścāt puraś caturviṃśad vedī hy āsīd hiraṇmayī |
yathoktā dakṣiṇāś cānyā viprebhyo bhūridakṣiṇaḥ ||
samudra-vana-dvīpa-nadī-nada-kānana-nagara-rāṣṭra-ākāśa-tathā-svargamadhye ye nānāprakārāḥ prāṇisamudāyāḥ prativasanti sma, te tasya yajñasya sampattibhiḥ tṛptāḥ santo ’bruvan—na rājño gayasya sadṛśo ’nyaḥ kaścid yajño ’bhavat iti ||
Narada said: Across the ocean, forests, islands, rivers and streams, groves, cities and kingdoms, and even in the sky and heaven, the many communities of living beings were satisfied by the abundance of that sacrifice and began to declare: “No sacrifice has ever been performed like King Gaya’s.” In Gaya’s rite a golden altar was constructed—thirty-six yojanas in length, thirty yojanas in breadth, and twenty-four yojanas in height. Upon it were spread jewels such as diamonds, pearls, and precious gems. Gaya, famed for lavish giving, bestowed upon the Brahmins garments, ornaments, and other scripturally prescribed gifts (dakṣiṇā) in great measure.
नारद उवाच