lords of the sacrifice. Vidura otherwise called Kshatta, conversant with
every rule of morality, became the disburser. Duryyodhana became the
receiver of the tributes that were brought by the kings. Krishna who was
himself the centre of all worlds and round whom moved every creature,
desirous of acquiring excellent fruits, was engaged at his own will in
washing the feet of the Brahmanas.

"And desirous of beholding that sacrificial mansion, as also king
Yudhishthira the just, none came there with tribute less than a thousand
(in number, weight or measure). Everyone honoured the king Yudhishthira
the just with large presents of jewels. And each of the kings made a
present of his wealth, flattering himself with the proud belief that the
jewels he gave would enable the Kuru king Yudhisthira to complete his
sacrifice. And, O monarch, the sacrificial compound of the illustrious son
of Kunti looked extremely handsome--with the multitude of palaces built so
as to last for ever and crowded with guards and warriors. These were so
high that their tops touched the cars of the gods that came to behold that
sacrifice; as also with the cars themselves of the celestials, and with
the dwelling of the Brahmanas and the mansions made there for the kings
resembling the cars of the celestials and adorned with gems and filled
with every kind of wealth, and lastly with crowds of the kings that came
there all endued with beauty and wealth. Yudhisthira, as though vying with
Varuna himself in wealth, commenced the sacrifice (of Rajasuya)
distinguished by six fires and large gifts to Brahmanas. The King
gratified everybody with presents of great value and indeed with every
kind of object that one could desire. With abundance of rice and of every
kind of food, as also with a mass of jewels brought as tribute, that vast
concourse consisted of persons every one of whom was fed to the full. The
gods also were gratified at the sacrifice by the Ida, clarified butter,
Homa and libations poured by the great Rishis versed in mantras and