Rājasūya: Agrapūjā for Kṛṣṇa and the Slaying (and Liberation) of Śiśupāla
ततस्ते देवयजनं ब्राह्मणा: स्वर्णलाङ्गलै: । कृष्ट्वा तत्र यथाम्नायं दीक्षयां चक्रिरे नृपम् ॥ १२ ॥
tatas te deva-yajanaṁ brāhmaṇāḥ svarṇa-lāṅgalaiḥ kṛṣṭvā tatra yathāmnāyaṁ dīkṣayāṁ cakrire nṛpam
Kemudian para brāhmaṇa pendeta membajak tanah yajña dengan mata bajak emas, lalu mengurniakan dīkṣā kepada Raja Yudhiṣṭhira untuk upacara itu menurut tradisi yang disahkan śāstra.
This verse states that the brāhmaṇas initiated the king in accordance with Vedic injunctions, showing that a sacrifice is begun only after proper dīkṣā and ritual preparation.
The verse highlights the royal grandeur and sanctity of the Rājasūya: the arena was ritually prepared (ploughed) and adorned in a way befitting a major Vedic sacrifice.
The shloka emphasizes doing sacred acts with proper method and reverence—today, that can mean disciplined sādhana, guidance from qualified teachers, and careful observance of devotional principles.