EQUALS OF YUDHISHTHIRA'S SABHA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA - SABHA PARVA - LOKAPALA SABHAKHAYANA (UPA) PARVA - CHAPTER 6 - EQUALS OF YUDHISHTHIRA'S SABHA

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘At the conclusion of (Devarishi) Narada’s words, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira worshipped him duly; and commanded by him the monarch began to reply briefly and clearly to the questions the Rishi had asked.

“Yudhishthira said ‘O holy one (Narada), the truths of Dharma and morality you have indicated one after another, are just and proper. As regards myself, I duly observe those Shaastraas to the best of my power. Indeed, the acts that were properly performed by monarchs of ancient days are, without doubt, to be regarded as bearing proper fruit, and undertaken from solid reasons for the attainment of proper objects. O master, we desire to walk in the path of Dharma of those rulers that had, besides, their souls under complete control.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Yudhishthira, the Paandavaa, possessed of great glory, having received with respect the words of Narada and having also answered the Rishi thus, thought for a moment. Perceiving a proper opportunity, the monarch (Yudhishthira), seated next to the Rishi, asked Narada (who was) sitting at his ease and capable of going into every world at will, in the presence of that assembly of kings, saying ‘Possessed of the speed of mind, you wander over various and many worlds created in ancient days by (Lord) Brahma, seeing everything. Tell me, I ask you, if you have, O Brahmana (Devarishi Narada), ever seen before anywhere a Sabha like this of mine or superior to it!’ Hearing these words of Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, Narada smilingly answered the Paandavaa in these sweet accents.

“Narada said, ‘O child, O king (Yudhishthira), I did neither see nor hear of ever before among men, any Sabha built of gems and precious stones like this of yours, O Bharata. I shall, however, describe to you the Sabhas of the king of Pitris (Yama), of Varuna of great intelligence, of (Lord) Indra, the King of Devas and also of him who has his home in Kailaasa (Kubera). I shall also describe to you the divine Sabha of (Lord) Brahma that dispels every kind of uneasiness.

“All these Sabhas exhibit in their structure both divine and human designs and present every kind of form that exists in the universe. They are ever worshipped by Devas, Pitris, the Sadhyaas, by Rishis offering yagnas, with souls under complete command, by peaceful Munis engaged without intermission in Vedic yagnas with presents to Brahmanas. I shall describe all these to you if, O bull of the Bharata race (Yudhishthira), you have any inclinations to listen to me!’”

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Thus addressed by Narada, the high-souled Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, with his brothers and all those foremost of Brahmanas (seated around him), joined his hands. The monarch then asked Narada, saying, ‘Describe to us all those Sabhas. We desire to listen to you. O Brahmana, what are the articles with which each of the Sabhas are made of? What is the area of each, and what is the length and breadth of each? Who wait upon the Pitamaha (Lord Brahma) in that Sabha? Who also upon Vaasava, the Devaraja and upon Yama, the son of Vivaswana? Who wait upon Varuna and upon Kubera in their respective Sabhas? O Brahmana Rishi (Narada), tell us all about these. We all together desire to hear you describe them. Indeed, our curiosity is great.’

“Thus addressed by the Paandavaa, Narada replied, saying, ‘O monarch, you all hear about those divine Sabhas one after another.’”