dark region is rendered joyful by the sun or a region of still air by a
gentle breeze. Approaching him joyfully and receiving him with due respect,
Yudhishthira enquired of his welfare. And after Krishna had been seated at
ease, that bull among men, the son of Pandu, with Dhaumya and Dwaipayana
and the other sacrificial priests and with Bhima and Arjuna and the twins,
addressed Krishna thus,--

"'O Krishna it is for thee that the whole earth is under my sway. And, O
thou of the Vrishni race, it is through thy grace that vast wealth had
been got by me. And, O son of Devaki, O Madhava, I desire to devote that
wealth according to the ordinance, unto superior Brahmanas and the carrier
of sacrificial libations. And, O thou of the Dasarha race, it behoveth
thee, O thou of mighty arms, to grant me permission to celebrate a
sacrifice along with thee and my younger brothers. Therefore, O Govinda, O
thou of long arms, install thyself at that sacrifice; for, O thou of the
Dasarha race, if thou performed the sacrifice, I shall be cleansed of sin.
Or, O exalted one, grant permission for myself being installed at the
sacrifice along with these my younger brothers, for permitted by thee, O
Krishna, I shall be able to enjoy the fruit of an excellent sacrifice.'"

Vaisampayana continued,--"Unto Yudhisthira after he had said this, Krishna,
extolling his virtues, said.--'Thou, O tiger among kings, deservest
imperial dignity. Let, therefore, the great sacrifice be performed by thee.
And if thou performest that sacrifice and obtainest its fruit we all shall
regard ourselves as crowned with success. I am always engaged in seeking
good. Perform thou then the sacrifice thou desirest. Employ me also in
some office for that purpose, for I should obey all thy commands.
Yudhisthira replied--O Krishna, my resolve is already crowned with fruit,
and success also is surely mine, when thou, O Harishikesa, hast arrived
here agreeably to my wish!'"