adored for his fierce ascetic penances the illustrious god of gods, the
lord of Uma. It is by this means that the kings of the earth have been
vanquished by Jarasandha. And, O best of monarchs, he hath by that means
been able to fulfil the vow he had made relative to his sacrifice. By
defeating the kings with their troops and bringing all of them as captives
into this city, he had swelled its crowds enormously. We also, O king,
from fear of Jarasandha, at one time had to leave Mathura and fly to the
city of Dwaravati. If, O great king, thou desirest to perform this
sacrifice, strive to release the kings confined by Jarasandha, as also to
compass his death, O son of the Kuru race, otherwise this undertaking of
thine can never be completed. O thou foremost of intelligent men if the
Rajasuya is to be performed by thee, you must do this in this way and not
otherwise. This, O king, is my view (on the matter). Do, O sinless one, as
thou thinkest. Under these circumstances, O king, having reflected upon
everything, taking note of causes, tell us what thou thyself thinkest
proper."


SECTION XV

"Yudhishthira said,--'Intelligent as thou art, thou hast said what none
else is capable of saying. There is none else on earth who is settler of
all doubts. Behold, there are kings in every province employed in
benefiting their respective selves. But no one amongst them hath been able
to achieve the imperial dignity. Indeed, the title emperor is difficult of
acquisition. He that knoweth the valour and strength of others never
applaudeth himself. He, indeed, is really worthy of applause (worship) who,
engaged in encounters with his enemies, beareth himself commendably. O
thou supporter of the dignity of the Vrishni race, man's desires and
propensities, like the wide earth itself adorned with many jewels, are