अनुगीता पर्व — युधिष्ठिर की अश्वमेध की इच्छा

Thus addressed by Krishna, Yudhishthira, the of Dharma, gifted with great intelligence, saluted Vyasa and said these words:

Do you cause me to be initiated when the proper hour, as you truly know, come for that rite. This my sacrifice entirely depends on you. son

Vyasa said Myself, O son of Kunti, and Paila and Yajnavalkya, shall, undoubtedly, achieve every rite at the proper time.

The rite of initiating you will be performed on the day of full moon belonging to the month of Chaitra. Let all the necessaries of the sacrifice, O foremost of men, be got ready.

Let Sutas well-versed in the science of horses and let Brahmanas also possessed of the same learning, select, after examination, a worthy horse in order that your sacrifice may be completed.

Loosening the animal according to the injunctions of the scriptures, let him wander over the whole Earth with her belt of seas, showing your effulgent glory, O king.

Vaishampayana said Thius addressed (by the Rishi), Yudhishthira, the royal son of Pandu, answered, 'So be it!' and then, O monarch, he accomplished all that that utterer of Brahma had said.

All the articles necessary for the sacrifice, O king, were duly procured. The royal son of Dharma, gifted with immeasurable soul, having procured all the necessaries, inforined the Island-born Krishna of it.

Then the highly energetic Vyasa said to the royal son of Dharma, “As regards ourselves, we are all prepared to initiate you in view of the sacrifice.

Let the Sphya and the Kurcha and all the other articles that, o you of Kuru's race, may be necessary for your sacrifice, be made of gold.

Let the horse also be loosened today, for wandering on the Earth, according to the ordinances of the scriptures. Let the animal, duly protected, wander over the Earth.

Yudhishthira said Let arrangements be made by you, O twiceborn one, about loosening this horse for enabling it to wander over the Earth at its will.

You should, O ascetic, say who will protect this horse while roaming over the Earth freely according to its will.

Vaishampayana continued : Thus addressed (by king Yudhishthira), O king, the Island-born Krishna said, He who is born after Bhimasena, who is the foremost of all bowmen, who is called Jishnu, who is gifted with great patience and capable of overcoming all resistance, he will protect the horse. That destroyer of the Nivatakavachas can conquer the whole Earth.

In him are all celestial weapons, His body is like that of a celestial in its powers of endurance. His bow and quivers are celestial. He will follow this horse.

He is well-versed in both Religion and Profit. He is a master of all the sciences. O foremost of kings, he will, according to the scriptures, cause the horse to roam and graze at its will.

son This mighty-armed prince, of dark colour, is endued with eyes resembling lotus petals. That hero, the father of Abhimanyu, will protect the horse,

Bhimasena also is gifted with great energy. That of Kunti is possessed of immeasurable power. He is competent to protect the kingdom, helped by Nakula, O monarch.

Gifted with great intelligence and fame, Sahadeva will, O you of Kuru's race, duly attend to all the relatives who have been invited to your capital.

Thus addressed by the Rishi, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, viz., Yudhishthira, performed every injunction duly and appointed Phalguna to attend to the horse.

Yudhishthira said Come, O Arjuna, let the horse, O hero, be protected by you. You alone are competent to protect it, and none else.

Those kings, O mighty-armed hero who will come forward to encounter you, try O sinless one, to avoid battles with them to the best of your power.

You should also invite them all to this sacrifice of mine. Indeed, O mighty armed one, go forth but try to establish friendly relations with them.

Vaishampayana said Having said so to his brother Savyasachi, the righteous-souled king Yudhishthira commanded Bhima and Nakula to protect the city.

With the permission of king Dhritarashtra, Yudhishthira then set Sahadeva, that foremost of warriors, to wait upon all the invited guests.