वैशम्पायन उवाच समागतान् वेदविदो राज्ञश्च पृथिवीश्वरान्। दृष्ट्वा युधिष्ठिरो राजा भीमसेनमभाषत॥ उपयाता नरव्याघ्रा य एते पृथिवीश्वराः एतेषां क्रियतां पूजा पूजार्हा हि नराधिपाः॥
Vaishampayana said Seeing those kings-lords of Earth-all conversant with the Vedas, arrive, king Yudhishthira, addressing Bhimasena, said, O chief of men, let proper honors be paid to these kings who have come, for these foremost of men are all worthy of the highest honors.
इत्युक्तः स तथा चक्रे नरेन्द्रेण यशस्विना। भीमसेनो महातेजा यमाभ्यां सह पाण्डवः॥
Thus addressed by the illustrious king Yudhishthira, Pandu's son Bhiinasena of mighty energy did as he was ordered, assisted by the twins.
अथाभ्यगच्छद्गोविन्दो वृष्णिभिः सह धर्मजम्। बलदेवं पुरस्कृत्य सर्वप्राणभृतां वरः॥
The foremost of all men, viz., Govinda, came there, accompanied by the Vrishnis, and with Baladeva in the van.
युयुधानेन सहितः प्रद्युम्नेन गदेन च। निशठेनाथ साम्बेन तथैव कृतवर्मणा।॥
He was accompanied by Yuyudhana and Pradyumna and Goda, and Nishatha and Shamba and Kritavarman.
तेषामपि परां पूजां चक्रे भीमो महारथः। विविशुस्ते च वेश्मानि रत्नवन्ति च सर्वशः॥
The powerful car-warrior Bhima offered them the most respectful adoration. Those princes then entered the palaces, adorned with gems, which were assigned to them.
युधिष्ठिरसमीपे तु कथान्ते मधुसूदनः। अर्जुनं कथयामास बहुसंग्रामकर्षितम्॥
At the end of a conversation he ad with Yudhishthira, the destroyer of Madhu referred to Arjuna who had been emaciated on account of many fights.
स तं पप्रच्छ कौन्तेयः पुनः पुनररिंदमम्। धर्मजः शक्रजं जिष्णुं समाचष्ट जगत्पतिः॥
The son of Kunti repeatedly asked Krishna, that chastiser of enemies, about Arjuna. To Dharma's son, the lord of all the universe began to speak about Jishnu, the son of Shakra.
आगमद् द्वारकावासी ममाप्तः पुरुषो नृप। योऽद्राक्षीत् पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ बहुसंग्रामकर्षितम्॥
O king, a confidential agent of mine living in Dwarka came to me. He had seen Arjuna, that foremost of Pandu's sons. Indeed, the latter has been very much emaciated with the fatigue of many battles,
समीपे च महाबाहुपाचष्ट च मम प्रभो। कुरु कार्याणि कौन्तेय हयमेधार्थसिद्धये॥
powerful monarch, that agent of mine inforned me that the mighty-armed hero is very near to us. You begin to celebrate your Horse-Sacrifice.
इत्युक्तः प्रत्युवाचैनं धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। दिष्ट्या स कुशली जिष्णुरुपायाति च माधव॥
Thus addressed, king Yudhishthira the just said him, By good luck, O Madhava, Arjuna comes back safely!
यदिदं संदिदेशास्मिन् पाण्डवानां बलाग्रणी: तदा ज्ञातुमिहेच्छामि भवता यदुनन्दन॥
I wish to ascertain from you, O delighter of the Yadavas, what has been said in this matter by that mightiest of heroes amongs the sons of Pandu!
इत्युक्तो धर्मराजेन वृष्ण्यन्धकपतिस्तदा। प्रोवाचेदं वचो वाग्मी धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम्॥ इदमाह महाराज पार्थवाक्यं स्मरन् नरः। वाच्यो युधिष्ठिरः कृष्ण काले वाक्यमिदं मम॥
Thus addressed by king Yudhishthira the just, the lord of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, that foremost of eloquent men, said these words to that inonarch of righteous soul, My agent, reported the words of Partha thus to me, O great king, Yudhishthira, O Krishna, should be told these words of mine when the time comes!
आगमिष्यन्ति राजानः सर्वे वै कौरवर्षभ। प्राप्तानां महतां पूजा कार्या ह्येतत् क्षमं हि नः॥
O chief of the Kauravas, many kings will come (to your sacrifice)! When they arrive, high honours should be paid to them. This would, indeed, be worthy for us.
इत्येतद्वचनाद् राजा विज्ञाप्यो मम मानद। यथा चात्ययिकं न स्याद् यदाहरणऽभवत्॥ कर्तुमर्हति तद राजा भवांश्चाप्यनुमन्यताम्। राजद्वषान्न नश्येयुरिमा राजन् पुनः प्रजाः॥
O giver of honours, the king should further be informed at iny request that he should do what is necessary for preventing a distinction similar to what occurred at the time of presenting the Arghya (on the occasion of the Rajasuya-Sacrifice). Let Krislina also approve of this. Let not, O king, through the ill-feeling of kings, the people be destroyed.
इदमन्यच्च कौन्तेय वचः स पुरुषोऽब्रवीत्। धनंजयस्य नृपते तन्मे निगदतः शृणु॥
My man further reported, o king, these words of Dhananjaya, Listen as I repeat them.
उपायास्यति यज्ञं नो मणिपूरपतिर्नृपः। पुत्रो मम महातेजा दयितो बभ्रुवाहनः॥
O monarch, the king of Manipura, my dear son Babhruvahana, will come at the sacrifice.
तं भवान् मदपेश्चार्थ विधिवत् प्रतिपूजयेत्। स तु भक्तोऽनुरक्तश्च मम नित्यमिति प्रभो॥
Do you honour him duly for my sake, O powerful one, he is always attached and deeply devoted to me.
इत्येतद् वचनं श्रुत्वा धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। आभनन्द्यास्य तद् वाक्यमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Hearing these words, king Yudhishthira the just approved of them and said as follows.