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The king also gratified the Brahmins, who had come from
various countries with food seasoned with seasamum and prepared with vegetables
and rice mixed with clarified butter, with different preparations of meat and
innumerable kinds of drinks, with new and unused robes and clothes, and with
excellent floral wreaths.
The king also presented each of those Brahmins a thousand
cows. The Brahmins exclaimed, “O, Bharata! What an auspicious day is this!”
Their praises became so loud that their voices seemed to reach heaven itself.
When the Kuru king entered the palatial Sabha, after
worshipping the gods with various kinds of music and numerous species of
excellent and costly perfumes, the athletes, prize-fighters and bards began to
gratify that illustrious son of Dharma by exhibiting their skills.
Thus celebrating his entry into the palace, Yudhishthira, with his brothers, appeared like Indra in heaven.
Along with the Pandavas, Rishis and kings that came from
various countries were seated in the Sabha. The seers made Yudhishthira happy by
their sacred discourses.
The kings present there who were mighty and wealthy, waited upon Yudhishthira, in that Sabha, desirous of ministering to his happiness like the celestials in heaven waiting upon Brahma,
While the illustrious Pandavas were seated in that Sabha
along with the Rishis and the kings, the celestial Rishi Narada, conversant
with the Vedas and Upanishadas, histories and Puranas and various other
subjects and who is worshipped by the celestials came there.
He was a perfect master in reconciling contradictory
texts, differentiating in applying general principles to particular cases and in
interpreting contraries by reference to differences in situation.
He was eloquent, resolute, intelligent and possessed of a
powerful memory. He was capable of debating with Brihaspati, the mentor of the
celestials, himself.
The Rishi, having wandered over the different worlds,
came into that Sabha. And the celestial Rishi was filled with gladness upon
beholding the Pandavas. On arriving there, he blessed Yudhishthira and wished
him victory.
On seeing the learned Rishi enter the Sabha, the eldest
of the Pandavas, conversant with all the rules of duty, quickly stood up with his
younger brothers.
Bowing his head with humility, the king cheerfully
saluted the Rishi, and gave a befitting seat to him after observing the due
ceremonies.
The king also gave him cows and other usual offerings like honey
and other ingredients. The king also presented the Rishi with gems and
jewels.
Accepting that worship from Yudhishthira in proper form,
the Rishi became gratified.
Thus worshipped by the Pandavas and the great Rishis,
Narada who possessed a complete mastery over the Vedas, spoke the following words
bearing upon religion, wealth, pleasures and salvation to Yudhishtira.
Narada said:
“Is the wealth you are earning being spent on proper
objects? Does your mind take pleasure in virtue? Are you enjoying the pleasures
of life? Does not your mind sink under their weight?
“O, Chief of men, Never injure your religion for the sake
of wealth, or both religion and wealth for the sake of pleasure that easily
seduces.
“Do you follow your religion, wealth, pleasure and
salvation dividing your time judiciously?
“Do you attend to the seven means (viz. sowing
dissensions, chastisement, conciliation, gifts, incantations (inspiring words),
medicine and magic) using the six attributes of kings (viz. cleverness of
speech, readiness in providing means, intelligence in dealing with the foe,
memory, and acquaintance with morals and politics)?
“After surveying your own strength and weakness, do you
survey the fourteen possessions of your foes (viz. the country, forts, cars,
elephants, cavalry, foot-soldiers, the principal officials of state, the zenana
(the secluded places for women), food supply, computations of the army and
income, the religious treatises in force, the accounts of state, the revenue,
wine-shops and other secret enemies?
“Attend to the eight occupations (of agriculture, trade
and commerce). I hope the seven principal officers of your state (viz. the
governor of the citadel, the commander of forces, the chief judge, the general
in interior command, the chief priest, the chief physician, and the chief
astrologer), have not succumbed to the influence of your foes, nor have they
become idle in consequence of the wealth they have earned? I hope all are
obedient to you.”
Narada posed several other questions to the king and
advised him on various aspects of governing the kingdom.
After the Rishi had finished, Yudhishthira asked, "O,
Rishi! How do the Vedas, wealth, wife, and knowledge of the Sastras bear
fruit?"
Narada said, “The Vedas are said to bear fruit when a
person who has studied them performs the Agnihotra and other sacrifices. Wealth
is said to bear fruit when the person possessing has enjoyed it himself and
gives it away in charity. A wife is said to bear fruit when she bears children.
Knowledge of the Sastras is said to bear fruit when it results in humility and
good behaviour."
Narada again asked questions about the administration of
the kingdom and offered more advice to Yudhishtira.
After listening to the exhortation of Sage Narada,
Yudhishtira bowed to him and prostrated on his feet.
He said, “I will do all that you have directed me to. My
knowledge has expanded under your advice!'
Narada said, "That king who is thus employed in the
protection of the four orders, Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras,
passes his days here happily and subsequently attains the region of Indra
(heaven).”
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