Yudhishthira Appoints Officials for His Sacrifice
Yudhishthira, instated in a great sacrifice, knows its success depends on more than wealth. He gathers his elders and kin, declares all his riches are theirs, and appoints each to a specific office of responsibility. The result is a spectacle of perfect order, where every guest is a master, every duty is in trusted hands, and the entire world assembles to see a king rival the gods in prosperity.
Yudhishthira had been instated in the sacrifice. The ground was prepared, the wealth was assembled, but the true work was about to begin. He knew the difference between a ritual and a perfect ritual lay in the hands that managed it. He turned to his elders.
He showed homage to his grandfather Bhishma and his preceptor Drona. He welcomed them, and Kripa, and Drona’s son Ashvatthama, and Vivimshati. Then he spoke to them all.
“All of you must show me every favour at this sacrifice,” he said. “All my great riches here are yours. Be kind towards me, without any constraints, and as you desire.”
Having declared his treasury open to them, he moved with swift purpose. He appointed each to a suitable office, placing the weight of the ceremony on the shoulders of those most capable of bearing it.
Duhshasana, his Kaurava cousin, was put in charge of food and all other objects of pleasure. Ashvatthama, the son of his teacher, was appointed to the sacred task of tending to the brahmanas. Sanjaya, the wise charioteer and minister, received the duty of welcoming the kings who would arrive from every direction.
The ultimate responsibility — the knowledge of what should be done and what should not be done — he gave to the two pillars of wisdom: the immensely wise Bhishma and Drona. They would be the overseers, the arbiters of dharma for every act within the sacrificial grounds.
To Kripa, another of his preceptors, he gave the task of looking after the gold, the gold coins, the jewels, and the critical distribution of dakshina (the gifts given to priests and brahmanas at a sacrifice’s conclusion). Other tigers among men were appointed to other tasks, each role filled with deliberate care.
Nakula had brought the royal guests: Bahlika, Dhritarashtra, Somadatta, and Jayadratha. In Yudhishthira’s domain, they enjoyed themselves not as subordinates, but as if they were the masters of the house.
Kshatta Vidura, the brother of Dhritarashtra who was knowledgeable in every aspect of dharma, was given charge of the treasury itself — the source and store of all the sacrifice’s wealth. And Duryodhana, Yudhishthira’s cousin and rival, was given the honour of receiving all the tribute that was brought by visiting kings and lords.
The organization was flawless. And because it was flawless, the world came.
All the worlds assembled there, wishing to see the sabha (assembly hall) of Dharmaraja — the King of Dharma, Yudhishthira — and to participate in the supreme fruits of such a rite. No one came with a tribute of less than a thousand. Every king made Dharmaraja prosper with many jewels, rivalling each other, donating riches, and proudly declaring, “Let the Kouravya attain the sacrifice with my riches alone.”
The sacrificial grounds of the great-souled Kounteya blazed with splendour. There were dwelling houses with chariots parked before them, guards and soldiers, the chariots of the lords of the earth, brahmana dwelling houses, and mansions constructed like divine chariots and decorated with many colourful jewels. It was crowded with assembled kings, wealth, prosperity, and well-fed people.
Yudhishthira seemed to rival the god Varuna in riches. The sacrifice had six fires and large amounts of dakshina. Everyone was satisfied with every object of desire — an abundance of grain and plenty of food. Those skilled in the knowledge of mantras offered libations, clarified butter and oblations, gratifying the gods and the maharshis (great sages). Like the gods, the brahmanas were also gratified with gifts, food and great wealth.
Every varna (social class) was delighted at the sacrifice. It was not merely a display of wealth, but a perfect machine of dharma, each part moving in harmony because Yudhishthira had placed it in the right hands.