Pratijna Parva — The decoration of Yudhishthira

Sanjaya said When Krishna and Daruka were thus talking to one another, O king, the night drew to its close. At day-break, king (Yudhishthira) Rose from his bed.

The Panisvanikas, the Magadhas, the Madhuparkikas began to read verses in his praise; and Vaitalikas and minstrels began to eulogise that foremost of men (Yudhishthira).

The dancers commenced dancing, songsters gifted with melodious voices, began to sing charming songs frought with praises of the Kuru dynasty.

Mridangas, Jhanjharas, Bheri, Panavas, Anakas, Gomukhas, Adambaras, conchs and Dundubhis of fierce sounds.

These and many other such musical instruments, were, O Bharata, played upon by well-trained and expert performers, all of them being transported with joy.

The loud din (thus produced) resembling the rumbling of clouds, reached the very heavens themselves; and it awakened that foremost of all rulers of earth viz., king Yudhishthira, from his sleep.

Having enjoyed an undisturbed sleep on his precious and excellent bed, king Yudhishthira awoke (in the morning). Then rising up, the king retired to the bath-room, for performing acts that must be performed (sandhyas).

There, a hundred and eight orderlies robed in white garments, all washed and of youthful age, approached the king with many a golden jar filled (with water) to the very brim.

Seated at his ease on an auspicious seat and vested in a garment of fine texture, the king bathed in waters fragrant with sandal-wood and sanctified with religious aphorisms.

His limbs were shampooed by strong and well-trained servants, with water that had been rendered bitter, with medicinal drugs. He was then washed with holy Adivasa-water fragrant with perfumes.

Then being furnished with a piece of cloth that was as white as the plumage of the swan and that had been lying loose there, the king encircled his head with it in order to rub off the water therefrom.

Thereafter that mighty-armed one, having smeared his body with the paste of Hari-sandal and decorated his person with garlands and flowers and dressed in stainless garments, sat with his palms folded, facing the east.

Then, ever following in the wake of the righteous, the son of Kunti reiterated the prayers that should be done so; and then with becoming meekness, he entered the chamber where the blazing fire was kept (for adoration).

Then having worshipped the fire with holy and purified faggots and religious aphorisms, the monarch came out of the fire-chamber.

Then entering into a second chamber, that foremost of men king Yudhishthira saw a number of venerable old Brahmanas wellversed in the Vedas and all foremost of their order.

They were all self-restrained and had performed ablutions after the accomplishment of sacrifices, vows and recital of the Vedas. Worshippers of the sun, they counted a thousand in number with one thousand and eight followers.

The mighty armed son of Pandu having caused these Brahmanas to pronounce, in clear voices, benedictions on him, by making presents of honey, clarified butter and delicious fruits of the best sort, gave away to every one them a Niksha of gold, a hundred steeds adorned with golden caparisons and precious garments and other presents that were liked by them.

Then the son of Pandu, giving unto them milch cow, that yielded milk whenever touched, with calves and with their horns and hoofs decked with gold and silver respectively, circumambulated them.

Auspicious objects capable of increasing good fortune, golden Nandyavartas, garlands of flowers, jars of water, blazing fire.

Vessels filled to the brim and containing Askhotas (sun-dried rice) and the yellow pigment prepared from the urine of the cow and also well-decked and beautiful maidens and curds and clarified butter and honey and water.

And auspicious birds and other things considered to be holy-seeing and touching these things, the son of Kunti proceeded to the outer apartments.

There, O mighty armed one the attendants that were in waiting, brought the monarch an excellent throne (to sit upon)-throne that was wholly made of gold and of auspicious marks and adorned with pearls and lapises; this throne made by the celestial artificer Vishvakarman and was over-spread with a precious carpet which again was covered by a stuff of very fine texture.

Then when that high-souled one had seated himself on that throne, his orderlies brought him all his precious and glittering ornaments,

Then, O mighty monarch, the appearance of the illustrious son of Kunti who was adorned was with pearls and various ornaments was such as to excite the jealousy of his foes.

Then fanned with yak-tails furnished with handles of gold and of white effulgence outvying the charming beams of the moon, the monarch shone like a mass of cloud emitting flashes of lightning.

That delighter of the Kurus then, was praised by all creatures, the minstrels gratified him with panegyrics; and the Gandharvas then began to sing at his hearing.

Thereafter within a moment the voices of the bards swelled to a tremendous sound; and instantly were there heard the clatter of the carwheels of car-warriors and the hoof-sounds of the cavalry.

With the tinkling of bells tied round the necks of the elephants, with the blasts of conchs and with the sound of the measured) foot-fall of the infantry, the earth began to quake.

Then one of the attendants guarding the doors, cased in armour, youthful, adorned with ear-rings and having his sword tied to his waist-band, entered the private chamber of the very virtuous king Yudhishthira; then kneeling down before him and doing obeisance to the worshipful and illustrious monarch with his head, he represented that Hrishikesha was waiting to be ushered in. Thereupon that foremost of men (Yudhishthira) welcomed Madhava with inquiries after his health and welfare.

He also ordered his attendants saying, "Give to this one an excellent seat and offer him a Argha.” Then when he of the Vrishni race was ushered in, the very virtuous king Yudhishthira caused him to be seated on an excellent seat and worshipped him with proper ceremonies.