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
Então os sacerdotes brāhmaṇas lavraram o terreno do sacrifício com relhas de ouro e iniciaram o rei Yudhiṣṭhira no yajña, conforme a tradição estabelecida pelas autoridades.
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.