Anugita Parva — The ceremony begins

Vaishampayana said Having cooked, according to due rites, the other excellent animals which were sacrificed, the priests then sacrificed, according to the injunctions of the scriptures, that horse (which had wandered over the whole world).

After cutting that horse into pieces, according to scriptural directions, they caused Draupadi of great intelligence, who was possessed of the three requisites of Mantras, things, and devotion, to sit near the divided animal.

The Brahmanas then, with cool minds, taking up the marrow of that horse, cooked it duly, O chief of Bharata's race.

King Yudhishthira the just, with all his younger brothers, then smelled, according to the scriptures, the smoke, capable of purging one from every sin, of the marrow that was thus cooked.

The remaining limbs, O king, of that horse, were poured into the fire by the sixteen sacrificial priests possessed of great wisdom.

Having thus completed the sacrifice of that monarch who was gifted with the energy of Shakra himself, the illustrious Vyasa with his disciples eulogised the king greatly.

Then Yudhishthira gave away to the Brahmanas a thousand crores of golden nishkas, and to Vyasa he gave away the whole Earth.

Satyavati's son Vyasa, having accepted the Earth, addressed that foremost one of Bharata's race, viz., king Yudhishthira the just, and said, O best of kings, the Earth which you have given me I return to you! Do you give me the purchasing value, for Brahmanas are desirous of wealth.

The great Yudhishthria of great intelligence staying with his brothers in the midst of the kings invited to his sacrifice, said to those Brahmanas:

The Dakshina ordained in the scriptures for the great Horse-Sacrifice is the Earth, Hence, I have given away to the sacrificial priests the Earth conquered by Arjuna.

You foremost of Brahmanas, I shall enter the forest. Do you divide the Earth among yourselves! Indeed, do you divide the Earth into four parts according to what is done in the Chaturhotra-Sacrifice.

You best of twice-born ones, I do not wish to appropriate what now belongs to the Brahmanas. This, you learned Brahmanas, has been the intention of myself and my brothers. When the king said these words, his brothers and Draupadi also said, Yes, it is even so. Grcat was the sensation created by this announcement.

Then, O Bharata, an invisible voice was heard in the sky, saying, 'Excellent, Excellent!' The murmurs, also, of crowd of Brahmanas as they spoke, arose.

The Island-born Krishna, highly applauding him, once more addressed Yudhishthira, before the Brahmanas, saying, "The Earth has been given by you to me!' I, however, give her back to you! Do you give to these Brahmanas gold. Let the Earth be yours!'

Then Vasudeva, addressing king Yudhishthira the just, said, You should do as you are ordered by the illustrious Vyasa.'

Thus addressed, that foremost one of Kuru's race, along with all his brothers, became pleased and gave away millions of golden coins, in fact, trebling the Dakshina ordained for the Horse-Sacrifice,

No other king will be able to accomplish what the Kuru king did on that occasion like Marutta.

Accepting that wealth, the Island-born sage, Krishna, of great learning, gave it to the sacrificial priests, dividing it into four parts.

Having paid that wealth as the price of the Earth, Yudhishthira, purged of his sins and assured of Heaven, rejoiced with his brothers.

The sacrificial priests, having got that unlimited quantity of riches, distributed it among the Brahmanas gladly and according to the desire of each recipient.

The Brahmanas, also divided amongst themselves, according to Yudhishthira's permission, the various ornaments of gold which were in the sacrificial compound, including the triumphal arches, the stakes, the jars, and various kinds of vessels.

After the Brahmanas had taken as much as they wished, the wealth that remained was taken away by Kshatriyas and Vaishyas and Shudras and various tribes of Mlecchas.

Thus pleased with presents inade by king Yudhishthira of great intelligence, the Brahmanas, filled with joy, returned to their respective abodes.

The holy and illustrious Vyasa respectfully presented his own share, which was very large, of that gold to Kunti.

Receiving that gift of affection from her father-in-law, Pritha became pleased and devoted it to the performance of various acts of merit.

King Yudhishthira, having bathed at the conclusion of his sacrifice and become purged of all his sins, shone in the midst of his brothers, honoured by all, like the king of the deitics in the midst of the dwellers of the celestial region.

The sons of Pandu, surrounded by the assembled kings, looked as beautiful, O king, as the planets in the midst of the stars.

To those kings they made presents of various jewels and gems, and elephants and horses and ornaments of gold, and female slaves and cloths and immense quantity of gold.

Indeed, Prithas son, by distributing that untold riches among the invited kings, shone, O king, like Vaishravana, the lord of riches.

Summoning next the heroic king Babhruvahana, Yudhishthira, gave to him various kinds of wealth in profusion and gave him permission to return home.

The son of Pandu, for pleasing his sister Dushala, established her infant grandson in his paternal kingdom.

The Kuru king Yudhishthira, having a full mastery over his senses, than dismissed the assembled kings all of whom had been properly classed and honoured by him.

The illustrious son of Pandu, that chastiser of foes, then duly adored the great Govinda and Baladeva of great power and the thousands of other Vrishni heroes having Pradyumna for their first. Assisted by his brothers, he then dismissed them for returning to Dwraka.

Thus was celebrated that sacrifice of king Yudhishthira the just, which was distinguished by a profusion of flood and wealth and jewels and gems, and oceans of wines of different kinds.

There were lakes whose mire consisted of clarified butter and mountains of food. There were, also, O chief of Bharata's race, miry rivers made of drinks having the six kinds of taste.

Of men employed in making and eating the sweetmeats called Khandavaragas, and of animals killed for food, there was no end.

The vast compound was filled with men inebriated with wine, and with young ladies filled with joy. The extensive grounds constantly echocd with the sounds of drums and the blare of conchs. With all these, the sacrifice became highly delightful.

'Let agreeable things be given away,' 'Let agreeable food be eaten.' These were the sounds which were repeatedly heard day and night in that sacrifice. It was like a great festival, full of rejoicing and contented men. People of various kingdoms speak of that sacrifice to this day.

Having showered wealth in torrents, and various objects of desire, and jewels and gems, and drinks of various kinds, the foremost one of Bharata's race, purged of all his sins, and his purpose fulfilled, entered his capital. Having showered wealth in torrents, and various objects of desire, and jewels and gems, and drinks of various kinds, the foremost one of Bharata's race, purged of all his sins, and his purpose fulfilled, entered his capital.