Gopala-campu
Gopal Champu
Chapter Twenty-seven - The Rājasūya Sacrifice
[1] In the morning Madhukaṇṭha began to relate the rest of the story in a sweet manner:
On another day when two messengers arrived and were asked by Nanda, they began to spread sweetness by another story.
[2] The hall made by Maya-dānava for the rājasūya sacrifice was brilliant. The Paṇḍavas, Yadus and many brāhmaṇas stayed there for an extended period, engaging in friendly exchanges with happy smiles. With humility, Yudhiṣṭhira, following the rules, began praising Kṛṣṇa:
Giving instructions to your devotees in order to institute your orders, you become happy on understanding that they understand your orders. ||1||
Though you are dependent on your devotees, your powers do not decrease. Because of your devotees you melt, just as the moon melts the moonstone. ||2||
As the lotus blooms in the sun, we become joyful when you appear. Therefore order us what to do. ||3||
[3] Kṛṣṇa, giving permission for the sacrifice he had promised, gave them special inspiration: “At this sacrifice you will consider me the most worshipable. Whether Vedic or secular, all your actions please me.” ||4||
[4] The king, folding his hands attractively, then requested: “All the brāhmaṇas among whom only a rare person attains Svarga have attended this sacrifice, greedy to attain you. Who can count the number of kings present? If you and the brāhmaṇas are pleased with this sacrifice, I am like a puppet. It is all accomplished by you.” ||5||
[5] Kṛṣṇa said, “All these brāhmaṇas have sincere, unlimited affection for me. Tinged with their affection, you mutually increase the affection. Therefore according to the rules start the procedures.”
[6] Meeting with the assembly, Yudhiṣṭhira stood up, folded his hands and spoke sincerely:
“O members of the assembly! Since Kṛṣṇa has accepted this sacrifice, it has been accepted by you. We as a part of this assembly serve your acceptance.” ||6||
[7] This assembly with the presence of Kṛṣṇa, surpassing Indra’s assembly with the presence of Vāmana, in which all kings are present along with Yudhiṣṭhira, rose to their feet with devotion in unison. Seeing this, all the sages also rose with awe in their hearts.
[8] Nanda said, “Who were the sages?”
[9] The messengers said, “How can one even count the numbers! At the sacrifice there were Vaśiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Trita, Asita, Kaśyapa, Bharadvāja, Gautama, Parāśara, and Maitreya. Vyāsa, equal to Nārāyaṇa, made everything perfect.”
[10] Everyone said, “This is not astonishing for Yudhiṣṭhira, best of kings, since he has attained the rays of the face of Kṛṣṇa, more attractive than a blue lotus, and thus makes everyone happy by the beauty of his face.”
[11] Hearing this, Nanda’s throat became choked and could not speak for a few moments. Then he spoke with difficulty, “Then what did Yudhiṣṭhira do and say?”
[12] The messengers said:
Yudhiṣṭhira touched his jeweled crown to the lotus feet of all the sages and prayed for success in the sacrifice from those sages who had realized Brahman.
[13-14] All the sages together said, “You should pray to Śiva and Brahmā, not us, for success in your sacrifice. You know the activities and attain happiness from them in an astonishing manner. What more has to be said about your actions? But you have prayed to us. That is not astonishing. What is astonishing is your desire for this sacrifice. In doing actions, you have strong faith in the brāhmaṇas. As one can see present results of work, one can also see results which will appear in the future. Therefore sit properly on the seat and we will deliberate on the matter.” ||7-8||
[15] Nanda said, “Why was Nārada not listed among the sages present?”
[16] The messengers said, “Nārada is interested in seeing the interesting pastimes of the Lord, and not actions of karma sacrifices.”
[17] Nanda said with a sigh, “Then what happened?”
[18] The messengers said:
When he was comfortably seated, the sages, though omniscient, at the request of Yudhiṣṭhira, asked the most respected astrologers for an auspicious day for the sacrifice.
[19] When the proper date was known, Yudhiṣṭhira, taking Kṛṣṇa’s permission, announced to the brāhmaṇas the officiating priests according to the different Vedas. Through messengers he requested that cruel Dhṛtarāṣṭra and his sons, Bhīṣma, Kṛpācārya, Droṇācārya and others attend. What can be said? All the brāhmaṇas and even their paid workers were invited by letter. With proper respect being given to everyone who had assembled before the sacrifice, there was great festivity in the gathering of great souls including the best of the Vṛṣṇi warriors and Balarāma. What more can be said? Let the arrangements be described. Apart from those who were invited, it was noticed that Śiva and Brahmā attended this sacrifice with great hope of experiencing the glorious pastimes of Kṛṣṇa. Accepting the advice that you Vraja people would not want to see the sacrifice, you were not there. Others would thus conclude that Kṛṣṇa was indifferent to you since you did not come, though you were his son.
[20] When all the brāhmaṇas and kings were engaged in work for the sacrifice, out of pride it could not be decided who would accept the task of washing the feet of the guests. Thinking over this topic, finally Kṛṣṇa, the best of the best, the best of your lineage, who does acts for his devotees that are not considered respectable, accepted the task.
[21] Hearing this, all the people of Vraja thought to themselves, “Kṛṣṇa will certainly not give up people like us.”
[22] They then asked aloud, “Then what happened?”
[23-24] The messengers said, “When the brāhmaṇas plowed the sacred sacrificial area with a golden plough smeared with colors, and everyone became blissful, humans looked at this action with a smile. Though they were not learned in the actions of the sacrifice, they were initiated into its procedures. When all the kings were initiated, they all watched but did not examine the items carefully. For such action (mere looking) is accepted in all the rule books.
[25] At the sacrifice, some were amazed on seeing the collection of gold utensils. Some were amazed by seeing Nārada, Indra and the Kumāras. Some were amazed on seeing Brahmā and Siva. Some were amazed by Kṛṣṇa’s strong power to attract all. All were amazed by Kṛṣṇa’s astonishing beauty which satisfied even the liberated souls. ||9||
[26] In that situation while all remained in that perfect state, they began offering oblations into the sacrifice. O Nanda! When the brāhmaṇas offered ghee into the fire according to Vedic rules those offerings were offered to your son’s opulence. Though the people saw ghee offered into fire, it was actually an offering to your son. ||10||
[27] At the sacrifice where soma was drunk, another decision had to be made to establish the principal person of the sacrifice among the attendees. Because of the many people present there were many opinions. When all became silent in establishing their opinions, others would speak in various ways. When nothing could be decided, Yudhiṣṭhira, holding the articles for worship in his hand, became disturbed. Then Sahadeva, concluding that Kṛṣṇa was the best among all, after listening to the assembled sages and devatās spoke to them:
All the sages have attended the sacrifice by the glance of Kṛṣṇa alone. What to speak of the devatās, Śiva and Brahmā attended by Kṛṣṇa’s mere glance. To give up worship of Kṛṣṇa and decide some other object of worship will bring destruction to those who select. The sacrifice cannot be successful. ||11||
Kṛṣṇa is the soul of Brahmā and Śiva and lord of the Yadus. Everyone who is looking at me, please behold him with your eyes, while you smile with hairs standing on end! If Kṛṣṇa is selected as the person worthy of worship, all will be satisfied. ||12||
[28] Understanding the bad intentions of the demons present, he again spoke: “One should not take the opinion of all those who oppose Kṛṣṇa, who is the soul of all beings, for they are all the lowest of creatures.” ||13||
[29] When the enemies became ferocious with angry faces, he spoke in a loud voice: “Since I am a junior how can I describe their audacity in the assembly? My left foot prays for the heads of the opposing parties.” ||14||
[30] As the rumbling of clouds gives joy to the peacock, his words increased the joyful uproar of the assembled devatās who were attending the festival. After he spoke, Yudhiṣṭhira, like the rainy season which subdues the lizards (the enemy), satisfied Kṛṣṇa, the root of all beings, and thus satisfied all the branches (brāhmaṇas) and his supporters.
Then Yudhiṣṭhira worshiped Kṛṣṇa with devotion. When he placed his head on Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, his hairs stood on end and he began weeping. ||15||
Seeing the king worship Kṛṣṇa, everyone shouted continually, “Victory” and “All respects to you.” Before the devatās could release flowers, the flowers fell from their hands because of trembling. ||16||
It was suitable that the devatās, drinkers of soma, praised the Lord and it was suitable that the demons, drinkers of wine, criticized him, for when they spoke their guṇas could be understood. ||17||
[31] Though aware of the respectable nature of the assembly and aware of the respect given to Kṛṣṇa by all, Śiśupāla began speaking. He could not at all tolerate the eminence of Kṛṣṇa. His nature was to hate the Lord. Throwing his arms in the air as if he were about to fly, the arrogant Śiśupāla spoke while Kṛṣṇa could hear:
“How can this despicable cowherd Kṛṣṇa receive the first worship at this sacrifice where Brahmā, devatās and sages like Vaśiṣṭha, Vāmadeva and Kaśyapa, and the best of kings like me are present? He was not born from my uncle Vasudeva. How unfortunate that the Pāṇḍavas are giving this cowherd the first worship. Woe to the assembly! Woe to the sacrifice protected by Bhīṣma and other partial parties!” ||18||
[32] Nanda said, “Then what happened.”
[33] The messengers said:
Hearing him criticize Kṛṣṇa, the Pāṇḍavas, full of anger when their relatives did not hear such words, with eyes swollen and red, stood up ready to draw their swords, forgetting their vows of dīkṣā. ||19||
[34] When the knowers of scripture left the place on hearing the criticism, when Balarāma was restrained by the advice of Kṛṣṇa, and when the Pāṇḍavas took up their swords and shields though they were sanctified by dīkṣa, Kṛṣṇa prevented them from approaching Śiśupāla.
Kṛṣṇa had tolerated Śiśupāla’s criticism a hundred times because he had no pride. He liked to be called a cowherd, for Brahmā carries the dust raised by his cows on his head. But when the Pāṇḍavas were insulted, your son took on a ferocious form and cut off the head of Śiśupāla with his cakra. ||20||
When the effulgence merged into beautiful Kṛṣṇa who was smiling, showers of flowers fell upon him while people watched in joy. What was astonishing was that the effulgence burst out from Śiśupāla’s heart and merged into Kṛṣṇa’s body. ||21||
[35] At that moment, Śiśupāla’s supporters flew away like birds. Seeing this, the crowd spoke pleasant words:
Kṛṣṇa, who gives wealth to Indra, gave his kingdom to Ugrasena, Kaṁsa’s father. Thus he has no pride and no anger at all. He destroyed Pūtanā and other in order to destroy their ignorance. ||22||
What to speak of giving the kingdom to Ugrasena and following his order, at the rājasūya Kṛṣṇa accepted the duty of washing the feet of all guests. ||23||
[36] When Śiśupāla was killed, Yudhiṣṭhira gave many gifts in charity, and after the sacrifice, to remove all faults, the final oblations and bathing rites were performed. Not only that, but all the devatās, brāhmaṇas, and everyone else were satisfied. He satisfied everyone except Duryodhana, who wanted to fight with him, for he was inimical to all those who supported Yudhiṣṭhira. Bewildered by the magical sacrificial hall built by Maya-dānava, he could not discriminate properly. He became disturbed on thinking that water was land and land was water when he was leaving the hall. Taking permission from Kṛṣṇa through Uddhava we came here quickly. What happened later other messengers will describe.
[37] Nanda said, “Did Kṛṣṇa, whose face gives happiness to all, remain in Indraprastha after the sacrifice?”
[38] The messengers said, “Yes. After sending all his associates back to Dvārakā he remained there with Balarāma. And when we desired to come to excellent Gokula and when he gave this sealed letter, like a boat in the ocean, to us , the two messengers, he said he would stay in Vraja for some months.”
[39] After relating the words of the messengers, Madhukaṇṭha said with choked voice, “After saying this they gave the letter to Nanda, who was trembling.”
[40] Because of agitation Nanda could not read the letter. He gave it to a priest. The priest then let him hear Kṛṣṇa’s words in the letter:
O father! I do not live in Indraprastha and I do not live in Dvārakā. I am living in this letter. Therefore keep this letter in your pocket. Instead of hopes, you will see me directly. ||24||
[41] After hearing this and taking it as the word of the Lord, having faith that the words were true, they passed several months which were like death for them. All the events mentioned have passed. Now see the present.
Hearing through us news about his long absence, Kṛṣṇa looks at the face of his father sitting beside him: “When will father wipe away his tears and see my face?” ||25||
[42] When the assembly heard these words, they saw what was described, Kṛṣṇa in person. With tears in his eyes, Kṛṣṇa fell at the feet of Nanda. With hairs standing on end, like the full moon, he met with all the people.
[43] The bards of Vraja began to sing.
O Kṛṣṇa! You became angry on hearing that Jarāsandha had imprisoned all the kings and then heard from Nārada of Yudhiṣṭhira’s desire for the sacrifice. You became happy on hearing the excellent advice of Uddhava.
Before killing Jarāsandha you went to Yudhiṣṭhira’s house. Lakṣmī was present in the assembly hall there, which was made suitable for you. On Uddhava’s advice and with devotion for Yudhiṣṭhira, you, Bhīma and Arjuna disguised yourselves as brāhmaṇas.
You met Jarāsandha in disguise and asked him for battle. Wanting Bhīma to fight him, through Jarāsandha’s words, you arranged for him to fight Bhīma. Having the two fight, you gave hints to Bhīma by tearing a branch many times and spread the pure glories of Bhīma.
You had Jarāsandha killed and freed the imprisoned kings. Taking great care in the affairs, you gave bliss to Yudhiṣṭhira. You arranged the sacrifice, and were the object of worship. You were tolerant when Śiśupāla criticized, but when he criticized Yudhiṣṭhira, you became angry.
You then killed him with your cakra. The sacrifice was completed and you became famous. You then came here out of affection and made us happy, increasing our prosperity. ||26||
[44-45] He then spoke in the assembly of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa at night. Madhukaṇṭha said:
He sent to you a secret letter out of shame through Garuḍa:
I will not come till the enemies are destroyed. That was the limit I promised at Kurukṣetra. These assurances appear constantly but they will quickly be fulfilled. ||27||
[46] Saying this, looking at Kṛṣṇa and then Rādhā, he said, “You know that it was impossible for Kṛṣṇa to come to Vraja from Dvārakā. Was it proper or improper, who can say? But now you have offered yourself completely to him, and he is controlled by you.” ||28||
[47] Hearing Madhukaṇṭha’s words, Rādhā, the essence of prema, experiencing directly the form of Kṛṣṇa, the cause of surprise, gave respect to the two reciters who had spoken sweetly and entered the house of pastimes with Kṛṣṇa, who was submissive to her will.