Vaishampayana said: -
1. O descendant of Bharata, having heard these words of the Rishi (Narada) Yudhisthira heaved sight. Full of the thought of the Rajashuya, (sacrifice), the king did not get any peace of mind.
2-3. Having heard the glory of the illustrious kings of old and having known their acquisition of regions of felicity by the performance of sacrifices and scared deeds, and having also thought the great sacrifice performed by the royal sage Harischandra, the king Yudhisthira desired to make preparations for the Rajashuya sacrifice.
4. Having worshipped all his Savasadas (counsellors and officers) and having been worshipped by them in return, he consulted with them about the sacrifice.
5. O king of kings, having reflected much, the best of the Kurus, (Yudhisthira) resolved to make preparations to perform that sacrifice.
6. Reflecting upon virtue and righteousness, that king of wonderful energy and prowess set his heart to find out what should be beneficial to all his people.
7. The foremost of all virtuous men Yudhisthira, ever kind to all his subjects, always acted without any distinction for the good of all.
8. Dispelling all anger and vengeance he always said, “Give to each what each is to have.” The only sounds that could be heard (in his kingdom) were, “Blessed be Dharma, blessed be Dharma.”
9. Having thus conducted himself and having given every one paternal assurance, he had none in his kingdom who entertained any hostile feelings towards him. He therefore came to be called Ajatasatru (enemy-less).
10. The king treated every one as if he was one of his own family; and Bhima ruled them all justly and impartially. Vibhatsu Savyasachi (Aryuna) by using both his hands protected all from their enemies.
11. The intelligent Sahadeva administered justice with all impartiality, and Nakula treated all with humility which was natural to his character. (For all this the kingdom became) free from quarrels and fear of all kinds. All people were engaged in their respective works.
12. The rains were as much as could be desired and the kingdom became full of prosperity. Persons living on usury, things necessary for sacrifices, cattle-rearing, tillage, and trades, all and everything grew in prosperity.
13. In consequence of the good deeds of the kings, there was in his kingdom no extortion, no oppression in the realisation of rents, and no fear of disease, of fire, of death by poisoning, and of incantations.
14-16. In consequence of Yudhisthira being ever devoted to virtue, it was never heard that thieves or cheats or royal favourites did not wrong towards one another. In consequence of Yudhisthira’s devotion to virtue his tributary chiefs always waited upon him to render him good service on the six occasions (of war, treaty etc.); and the traders and merchants of different classes paid him their dues taxes liveable on their respective trades. Thus the kingdom grew in prosperity.
17. The prosperity of the kingdom increased even by greatly voluptuous and luxurious persons. The king possessed every accomplishment and he bore everything in patience. His sway extended over all.
18. O king whichever countries this renowned and the illustrious king conquered the people of them, from Brahmanas to peasants, were all more attached to him than to their own parents.
19. That foremost of speakers (Yudhisthira) summoned together his brothers and ministers and asked them again and again about the Rajashuya sacrifice.
20. Having been thus asked by the greatly wise Yudhisthira eager to perform the sacrifice, they spoke to him these words of grave import.
21. The Ministers said: - A king already in possession of a kingdom wishes to acquire all the attributes of an emperor by means of the sacrifice, (Rajashuya) a sacrifice that helps to acquire the attributes of Varuna.
22. O descendant of Kuru, you are worthy the attributes of an emperor; therefore your friends consider that the time has come for you to perform the Rajashuya sacrifice.
23. In consequence of your Kshatrya possessions, the time for the performance of that sacrifice has come, the sacrifice in which the Rishis of rigid vows establish the six fires with the Mantras of the Sama Veda.
24. At the conclusion of a Rajashuya sacrifice, the performer is said to be installed in the sovereignty of an empire; he is then rewarded with the fruits of all sacrifices including the Agnihotra sacrifice. It is for this he is called the conqueror of all.
25. O mighty armed hero, O great king, you are quite capable of performing this sacrifice. We are all obedient to you. You will soon be able to perform the Rajashuya.
26. O great king, set your mind to perform the Rajashuya without any further discussion.”
Vaishampayana said: -
Thus spoke to the king all his friends and counsellors separately and together.
27. O king, having heard their these virtuous, bold, agreeable and weighty words, the son of Pandu (Yudhisthira), accepted them in is mind.
28. O descendant of Bharata, having heard these words of his friends and having known his own strength also, the king again thought in his mind about the Rajashuya.
29. The intelligent Dharmaraja Yudhisthira, ever wise in counsel, again consulted with his brothers, with his ministers, his Ritvijas, his priest, Dhaumya and Dvaipayana and others.
Yudhisthira said: -
30. How can this Rajashuya sacrifice, which is worthy of an emperor and which my mind is desirous to perform, be accomplished only by my faith and speech?
Vaishampayana said: -
31. O lotus-eyed hero, having been thus asked by the king, they thus spoke to the Dharmaraja Yudhisthira at that time.
32. “O king, learned in the precepts of virtue, you are worthy of performing the great sacrifice of Rajashuya.” When the Ritvijas and the Rishis told these words.
33-34. His ministers and his brothers highly approved of his words. The greatly wise and self-controlled son of Pritha (Yudhisthira), ever desirous to do good to the world, again thought over the matter in his mind, taking into his consideration his own strength and means, the time and the place, his income and expenditure.
35. He knew that the wise never come to grief, because they always act after due deliberation. He thought that the sacrifice should not be commenced pursuant to his own resolution only.
36. Carefully bearing on his shoulder the weight of affairs, he (Yudhisthira) thought of Krishna Janardana as the fittest person to decide the matter.
37. knowing his (Krishna) to be the foremost of all persons, the possessor of immeasurable; energy, the mighty-armed, (hero), being without birth and was born among men only out of his pleasure, he (Yudhisthira) thought of Hari (Krishna) in his mind.
38-39. Having reflected upon his God-like feats, the son of Pandu (Yudhisthira) thought that there could be nothing unknown to him nothing unachievable by him and nothing that he could not bear. Having argued thus, he remembered Krishna. Having come to this settled conclusion, the son of Pritha Yudhisthira.
40. Soon sent a messenger to that lord of all beings, sending through him (the messenger) blessings and agreeable words such as the elder should send to his younger. Riding on a swift car, that messenger soon reached the Yadavas.
41. He arrived at Dvaravati in which Dvaravati city Krishna was living. Having heard that the son of Pritha (Yudhisthira) was eager to see him, Achyuta (Krishna) also became eager to see him.
42. Passing quickly through various countries on (the car yoked with his swift horses, he arrived at Indraprastha with Indrasena.
43. Having arrived at Indraprastha, Janardana (Krishna) came to son of Pritha (Yudhisthira). He was worshipped by his cousin Dharmaraja (Yudhisthira) in his house with paternal affection.
44-45. He was also received by Bhima as affectionately. He then went cheerfully to see the sister of his father (Kunti). He was worshipped by the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) as their superiors. He then conversed with his friend Aryuna with joy; Aryuna was very glad to see him. Then when he had rested for some time in that pleasant place and become fully refreshed, Yudhisthira came to him and spoke to him his business.
Yudhisthira said: -
46. O Krishna, I have desired to perform the Rajashuya sacrifice, but it cannot be performed by my simply wishing to perform it. You know everything by which it may be accomplished.
47. He in whom everything is possible he who is worshipped everywhere and he who is the king of all kings can alone perform this sacrifice.
48. O Krishna, my friends and ministers have said that I should perform it, but your words will be my guide in this matter.
49. Some (counsellors) do not notice faults (difficulties) out of friendship. Some out of self-interest say only that which will be agreeable to the hearer.
50. Some again consider that which is beneficial to them as the fittest thing to be adopted. Men are seen to advice thus in business.
51. You are above all motives; you have conquered anger and desire; you should tell me which is most beneficial to the world.
Thus ends the thirteenth chapter, the arrival of Krishna, in the Rajshuyarambha of the Sabha Parva.