By “Aastika said, ‘Soma, Varuna and Praajapati performed yagna in ancient time in Prayaaga (present-day Allahabad in Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India). But your yagna, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Parikshit, is not inferior to any of those. Let those dear to us be blessed!
“Shakra (Lord Indra) performed a hundred yagnas. But this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Parikshit (Janamejaya), is fully equal to ten thousand yagnas of Shakra (Lord Indra). Let those dear to us be blessed!
“Like the yagna of Yama, of Harimedha, or of king Rantideva, is the yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear to us be blessed!
“Like the yagna of Gaya, of king Shashaaindu, or of king Vaishravana (Kubera), is this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, the yagna of Nriga, of Ajameeda, of the son of Dasharatha (Sri Rama), is this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear to us be blessed!
“Like the yagna of king Yudhishthira, the son of a Deva and belonging to Ajameeda race, heard of (even) in the heavens, is this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Parikshit, let those dear to us be blessed!
“Like the yagna of Krishna (Vyaasa), the son of Satyavati, in which he himself was the chief priest, is this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear to us be blessed!
“These (Ritwiks and Sadasyas) that are here engaged in making your yagna, like to that of the slayer of Vritra (Lord Indra), are of splendour equal to that of the Sun. There now remains nothing for them to know, and gifts made to them become inexhaustible (in merit). It is my conviction that there is no Ritwik in all the worlds who is equal to your Ritwik, Dwaipaayana (Vyaasa). His disciples, becoming Ritwijas, capable for their duties, travel over the earth. The Mahatma bearer of offerings (viz., Agni), also called Vibhaavasu and Chitrabhaanu, having gold for his vital seed (Hiranyaretaa in Sanskrit) and having his path, marked by black smoke, blazing up with flames inclined to the right, bears these your offerings of clarified butter to Devas.
“In this world of men there is no other monarch equal to you in the protection of subjects. I am ever well-pleased with your abstinence. Indeed, you are either Varuna, or Dharmaraja Yama. Like Shakra (Lord Indra) Himself, Vajra in hand, you are, in this world, the protector of all creatures. In this earth, there is no man so great as you and no monarch who is your equal in yagna.
“You are like Khatwaanga, Naabhaaga, and Dilipa. In skills, you are like Yayaati and Maandhaatri. In splendour equal to the Sun, and of excellent vows (Vrata in Sanskrit), you are O monarch, like Bhishma! Like Vaalmiki you are of energy hidden. Like Vasishtha, you have controlled your anger. Like (Lord) Indra is your lordship. Your splendour also shines like that of (Lord) Narayana. Like Yama, you are familiar with the order of Dharma. You are like (Sri) Krishna adorned with every attribute (Guna in Sanskrit). You are the home of the good fortune that belongs to the Vasus. You are also the refuge of the yagnas. In strength, you are equal to Dambhodbhava. Like (Parashu) Rama, you are familiar with Shaastraas and weapons. In energy, you are equal to Aurva and Tritaa. You inspire terror by your looks like Bhagiratha.’
“Son of Soota said, ‘Aastika, having thus adored them, pleased them all, viz., the king, the Sadasyaas, the Ritwijas and the yagna Agni (Havyavaaha in Sanskrit). King Janamejaya seeing the signs and indications manifested all around, addressed them as follows.’”
SUMMARY:
Aastika praises king Janamejaya in comparison with Lord Narayana, Lord Indra and others; Aastika also praises the yagna that is being conducted by king Janamejaya.
SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AADI PARVA > AASTIKA PARVA > CHAPTER 55 – AASTIKA PRAISES JANAMEJAYA
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