' Thus addressed, Karna spake thus unto the
king, 'Now that all the rulers of the earth have been brought under thy
subjection, do thou summon the principal Brahmanas, and, O best of
Kurus, duly procure the articles required for the sacrifice. And, O
represser of foes, let Ritwijas as prescribed, and versed in the Vedas,
celebrate thy rites according to the ordinance, O king. And, O bull of
the Bharata race, let thy great sacrifice also, abounding in meats and
drinks, and grand with parts, commence.'
"O king, having been thus addressed by Karna, Dhritarashtra's son
summoned the priest, and spake unto him these words, 'Do thou duly and
in proper order celebrate for me that best of sacrifices, the _Rajasuya_
furnished with excellent _Dakshinas_.' Thus accosted, that best of
Brahmanas spake unto the king, saying, 'O foremost of the Kauravas,
while Yudhishthira is living, that best of sacrifices cannot be
performed in thy family, O Prince of kings! Further, O monarch, thy
father Dhritarashtra, endued with long life, liveth. For this reason
also, O best of kings, this sacrifice cannot be undertaken by thee.
There is, O lord, another great sacrifice, resembling the Rajasuya. Do
thou, O foremost of kings, celebrate that sacrifice. Listen to these
words of mine. All these rulers of the earth, who have, O king, become
tributary to thee, will pay thee tribute in gold, both pure and impure.
Of that gold, do thou, O best of monarchs, now make the (sacrificial)
plough, and do thou, O Bharata, plough the sacrificial compound with it.
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