DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0315
TRIUMPH OF THE PANDAVAS 235
Yudhishthira commanded his brothers to perform the
funeral rites over the dead with every honour. So the
body of Sishupala was burned and the oblation poured
forth. Then his son was proclaimed Rajah of Chedi.
Thereafter the great sacrifice was performed with
solemnity and in peace. Krishna, who had maintained
the supremacy of Yudhishthira by slaying a dangerous
and jealous rival, looked on benignly.
Holy water was sprinkled by the Brahmans, and all
the monarchs made obeisance and honoured Yudhishthira,
saying: " Thou hast extended the fame of thy mighty
sire, Pandu, and thou art become even greater than he
was. Thou hast graced with this sacrifice thine high station
and fulfilled all our hopes. Now, O emperor over all,
permit us to depart to our own homes, and bestow thy
blessing upon us."
So one by one they took leave of Yudhishthira and
went away, and the four Pandavas accompanied the
greatest of them to the confines of their kingdoms.
Krishna was the last to bid farewell.
Said Yudhishthira: "Unto thee I owe all things.
Because thou wert here, O valorous one, I was able to
perform the great sacrifice."
Krishna said: "Monarch of all! rule thou over
thy people with a father's wisdom and care. Be unto
them like rain which nourisheth the parched fields; be
a shade in hot sunshine; be a cloudless heaven bending
over all. Be thou ever free from pride and passion ;
ever rule with power and justice and holiness, O
Yudhishthira."
So he spake from his chariot and then went his way,
and Yudhishthira turned homeward with tear-dimmed
eyes.
Now when Duryodhana had witnessed the triumph
Yudhishthira commanded his brothers to perform the
funeral rites over the dead with every honour. So the
body of Sishupala was burned and the oblation poured
forth. Then his son was proclaimed Rajah of Chedi.
Thereafter the great sacrifice was performed with
solemnity and in peace. Krishna, who had maintained
the supremacy of Yudhishthira by slaying a dangerous
and jealous rival, looked on benignly.
Holy water was sprinkled by the Brahmans, and all
the monarchs made obeisance and honoured Yudhishthira,
saying: " Thou hast extended the fame of thy mighty
sire, Pandu, and thou art become even greater than he
was. Thou hast graced with this sacrifice thine high station
and fulfilled all our hopes. Now, O emperor over all,
permit us to depart to our own homes, and bestow thy
blessing upon us."
So one by one they took leave of Yudhishthira and
went away, and the four Pandavas accompanied the
greatest of them to the confines of their kingdoms.
Krishna was the last to bid farewell.
Said Yudhishthira: "Unto thee I owe all things.
Because thou wert here, O valorous one, I was able to
perform the great sacrifice."
Krishna said: "Monarch of all! rule thou over
thy people with a father's wisdom and care. Be unto
them like rain which nourisheth the parched fields; be
a shade in hot sunshine; be a cloudless heaven bending
over all. Be thou ever free from pride and passion ;
ever rule with power and justice and holiness, O
Yudhishthira."
So he spake from his chariot and then went his way,
and Yudhishthira turned homeward with tear-dimmed
eyes.
Now when Duryodhana had witnessed the triumph