Jarāsandha as Obstacle to the Rājasūya — Kṛṣṇa’s Strategic Genealogical Brief
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 13
मन्त्रिणो भ्रातरश्चान्ये तद्बच: प्रत्यपूजयन् । “धर्मज्ञ! आप राजसूय महायज्ञ करनेके सर्वथा योग्य हैं।' ऋत्विजों तथा महर्षियोंने जब राजा युधिष्ठिरसे इस प्रकार कहा, तब उनके मन्त्रियों और भाइयोंने उन महात्माओंके वचनका बड़ा आदर किया
mantriṇo bhrātaraś cānye tad vacaḥ pratyapūjayan | “dharmajña! āpa rājasūya-mahāyajña karane ke sarvathā yogya haiṃ” | ṛtvijo tathā maharṣayo ne jab rājā yudhiṣṭhir se is prakāra kahā, tab unke mantriyoṃ aur bhāiyoṃ ne un mahātmāoṃ ke vacana kā baṛā ādar kiyā |
Vaiśampāyana said: The ministers, the brothers, and the other attendants honored those words. “O knower of dharma, you are in every way fit to perform the great Rājasūya sacrifice.” When the officiating priests and the great seers spoke thus to King Yudhiṣṭhira, his ministers and brothers received the sages’ counsel with deep respect.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Righteous rule is not merely a matter of power; it should be validated by dharma and endorsed by qualified spiritual authorities. Respecting the counsel of priests and seers reflects humility and ethical governance.
Priests and great seers declare that Yudhiṣṭhira is fully qualified to perform the Rājasūya, a major royal sacrifice. Hearing this, his ministers and brothers honor and support the sages’ statement, signaling collective approval for the rite.