Yudhishthira Seeks Krishna's Final Counsel on the Rajasuya
With Krishna rested and refreshed, Yudhishthira comes to him privately. He confesses his desire to perform the rajasuya but voices his deep distrust of the flattering counsel he has received. He declares that his final decision rests solely on the supreme, impartial advice of Krishna.
After Krishna had rested and was refreshed, Dharmaraja came to him and told him about his plans.
Yudhishthira said, "O Krishna! I wish to perform the rajasuya. But it cannot be performed merely through my wishing it."
He laid out the dilemma with the clarity of a man who has thought of little else. "You are omniscient. You are the one in whom everything is possible, and you are the one who is worshipped everywhere. The king who is the lord of everything can perform the rajasuya. O Krishna, my well-wishers have said that I should perform it."
Then he revealed the doubt that had tempered his acceptance of their praise. "But my final decision will certainly be in consonance with what you say."
He explained why. "Out of friendship, some do not notice faults. Out of desire for riches, some say that which is pleasant to hear. Some consider that to be the best course of action which brings them self-gain. It is often seen that people’s advice is like this."
He looked at the friend who was also so much more. "You alone are above all motives, beyond desire and anger. You should tell me that which is supreme, for the welfare of the worlds."
The request was complete. The desire was stated, the flattering counsel acknowledged and set aside, the burden of the final choice placed squarely before the one person Yudhishthira believed could see beyond all partiality. The next move was Krishna's.