Duryodhana’s Vaishnava Yagna ,and how Karna became a conqueror of India

[Paramananda das]

Duryodhana’s Vaishnava Yagna
When, in this manner the Pandavas had gone, leaving Suyodhana, and when, having been liberated by Pandu's sons, he had come to Hastinapura, Bhishma said these words to the son of Dhritarashtra,
“O child! I had told you before, when you were intent upon going to the hermitage that your journey did not please me. But you did do so. As a consequence, you were forcibly taken captive by the enemy, and were delivered by the Pandavas versed in morality. Yet you are not ashamed. Even in the presence of you, together with your army, did the Suta's son, struck with panic, fly from the battle of the Gandharvas. While you with your army were crying distressfully, you did witness the prowess of the high-souled Pandavas, and also, of the wicked son of the Suta, Karna. Whether in the science of arms, or heroism, or morality, Karna is not a fourth part of the Pandavas. Therefore, for the welfare of this race, the conclusion of peace is, I think, desirable with the high-souled Pandavas."
Having been thus addressed by Bhishma, Dhritarashtra's son the king, laughed a good deal, and then suddenly sailed out with the son of Subala. Thereupon, knowing that he was gone, those mighty bowmen with Karna, and Duhshasana at their head, followed the highly powerful son of Dhritarashtra. Seeing them gone, Bhishma, the grandfather of the Kurus, hung down his head from shame, and then, went to his own quarters.
When Bhishma had left, that lord of men, Dhritarashtra's son came there again, and began to consult with his counsellors,
“What is it that is good for me? What remains to be done? How we can most effectively bring about the good we shall discuss to-day.”
Karna said,
“O Kuru's son! Duryodhana! Do you take to heart these words that I say. Bhishma always blames us, and praises the Pandavas. From the ill-will he bears towards you, he hates me also. In your presence he always shouts me down. I shall never bear these words that Bhishma had said in your presence in relation to this matter, extolling the Pandavas, and censuring you! Do you enjoin me, together with servants, forces, and cars. I shall conquer the earth furnished with mountains and woods and forests. The earth had been conquered by the four powerful Pandavas. I shall, without doubt, conquer it for you single-handed. Let that wretch of the Kuru race, the exceedingly wicked-minded Bhishma, see it, he who vilifies those that do not deserve censure, and praises those that should not be praised. Let him this day witness my might, and blame himself. Do command me. Victory shall surely be yours. By my weapon I swear this before you.”
Hearing those words of Karna, that lord of men, experiencing the highest delight, spoke unto Karna, saying,
“I am blessed. I have been favoured by you, since you, endued with great strength, are ever intent on my welfare. My life has borne fruit, to-day. As you intend to subdue all our enemies, go. May good betide you! Do command me what I am to do.”
Having been thus addressed by Dhritarashtra's intelligent son, Karna ordered all the necessaries for the excursion. On an auspicious lunar day, at an auspicious moment, and under the influence of a star presided over by an auspicious deity, that mighty bowman, having been honoured by twice-born ones, and been bathed with auspicious and holy substances and also worshipped by speech set out, filling with the rattle of his car the three worlds, with their mobile and immobile objects.
Then, that mighty bowman, Karna, surrounded by a large army, besieged the beautiful city of Drupada. He, after a hard conflict, brought the hero under subjection, and, made Drupada contribute silver and gold and gems, and also pay tribute. Having subdued him, Karna brought under subjection those princes that were under Drupada and made them pay tribute. Then going to the north, he subdued the sovereigns of that quarter and having effected the defeat of Bhagadatta, Radha's son ascended that mighty mountain Himavat, all along fighting his foes. Ranging all sides, he conquered and brought under subjection all the kings inhabiting the Himavat, and made them pay dues. Then descending from the mountain and rushing to the east, he reduced the Angas, and the Bangas, and the Kalingas, and the Mandikas, and the Magadhas. the Karkakhandas; and also included with them the Avashiras, Yodhyas, and the Ahikshatras. Having thus conquered the eastern quarter, Karna then presented himself before Vatsa-bhumi. Having taken Vatsa-bhumi, he reduced Kevali, and Mrittikavati, and Mohana and Patrana, and Tripura, and Kosala, and compelled all these to pay tribute. Then going to the south, Karna vanquished the mighty charioteers of that quarter and in Dakshinatya, the Suta's son entered into conflict with Rukmi. After having fought dreadfully, Rukmi spoke to the Suta's son saying, “O foremost of monarchs! I have been pleased with your might and prowess. I shall not do you wrong: I have only fulfilled the vow of a Kshatriya. Gladly will I give you as many gold coins as you desire.” Having met with Rukmi, Karna, repaired to Pandya and the mountain, Sri. By fighting, he made Karala, king Nila, Venudari's son, and other best of kings living in the southern direction pay tribute. Then going to Shishupala's son, the son of the Suta defeated him and that highly powerful one also brought under his sway all the neighbouring rulers. Having subjugated the Avantis and concluded peace with them, and having met with the Vrishnis, he conquered the west. Having come to the quarter of Varuna, he made all the Yavana and Barbara kings pay tribute. Having conquered the entire earth - east, west, north and south - that hero without any aid brought under subjection all the nations of the Mlechchhas, the mountaineers, the Bhadras, the Rohitakas, the Agneyas and the Malavas. Having conquered the mighty charioteers, headed by the Nagnajitas, the Suta's son brought the Shashakas and the Yavanas under his sway. Having thus conquered and brought under his subjection the world, the mighty charioteer and tiger among men came back to Hastinapura.
That lord of men, Dhritarashtra's son, accompanied by his father and brothers and friends, came to that mighty bowman, who had arrived, and duly paid homage unto Karna crowned with martial merit. The king proclaimed his feats, saying,
“What I have not received from either Bhishma, or Drona, or Kripa, or Bahlika, I have received from you. May good betide you! What need of speaking at length! Hear my words, O Karna! In you, I have my refuge. Without doubt all the Pandavas and the other kings crowned with prosperity, come not to a sixteenth part of you. Do you see Dhritarashtra, and the illustrious Gandhari, as the bearer of the thunderbolt did Aditi.”
Then, there arose in the city of Hastinapura a clamour, and sounds of Oh! and Alas! And some of the kings praised Karna, while others censured him, while others, again, remained silent. Having thus, in a short time, conquered this earth furnished with mountains and forests and skies, and with oceans, and fields, and filled with high and low tracts, and cities, and replete also with islands, and brought the monarchs under subjection, - and having gained imperishable wealth, the Suta's son appeared before the king. Then, entering into the interior of the palace that hero saw Dhritarashtra with Gandhari that one conversant with morality took hold of his feet even like a son. Dhritarashtra embraced him affectionately, and then dismissed him. Ever since that time, king Duryodhana and Shakuni thought that Pritha's sons had already been defeated in battle by Karna.
Vaishnava Yagna
That slayer of hostile heroes, the Suta's son, said these words to Duryodhana,
“O Kaurava Duryodhana! Do lay unto your heart the words that I shall tell you; and, O repressor of foes! after having heard my words, it befits you to act accordingly every way. Now, O best of monarchs! O hero! has the Earth been rid of foes. Do you rule her even like the mighty-minded Indra himself, having his foes destroyed."
Having been thus addressed by Karna, the king again spoke unto him, saying,
“O bull among men! Nothing whatever is unattainable to him who has you for refuge, and to whom you are attached and on whose welfare you are entirely intent. Now, I have a purpose, which you truly listen to. Having beheld that foremost of sacrifices, the mighty Rajasuya, performed by the Pandavas, a desire has sprung up in me to celebrate the same. Do, O Suta's son! fulfil this desire of mine.”
Thus addressed, Karna spoke thus unto the king,
“Now that all the rulers of the earth have been brought under your subjection, do you summon the principal Brahmanas, and, O best of Kurus! duly procure the articles required for the sacrifice. O repressor of foes! Let Ritwijas as prescribed, and versed in the Vedas, celebrate your rites according to the ordinance, O king! O bull of the Bharata race! Let your great sacrifice also, abounding in meats and drinks, and grand with parts, commence.”
Having been thus addressed by Karna, Dhritarashtra's son summoned the priest, and spoke unto him these words,
“Do you duly and in proper order celebrate for me that best of sacrifices, the Rajasuya furnished with excellent Dakshinas.”
Thus accosted, that best of Brahmanas spoke unto the king, saying,
“O foremost of the Kauravas! While Yudhishthira is living, that best of sacrifices cannot be performed in your family, O Prince of kings! Further, O monarch! your father Dhritarashtra, endued with long life, lives. For this reason also, O best of kings! this sacrifice cannot be undertaken by you. There is, O lord! another great sacrifice, resembling the Rajasuya. Do, 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 you, will pay you tribute in gold, both pure and impure. Of that gold, you, O best of monarchs! make the sacrificial plough, and do, O Bharata! plough the sacrificial compound with it. At that spot, let there commence, O foremost of kings! with due rites, and without any disturbance the sacrifice, sanctified with mantras abounding in edibles. The name of that sacrifice worthy of virtuous persons, is Vaishnava. No person save the ancient Vishnu has performed it before. This mighty sacrifice vies with that best of sacrifices - the Rajasuya itself. Moreover, it is capable of being celebrated without any disturbance. By undertaking this, your desire will be fufilled.”
Having been thus addressed by those Brahmanas, Dhritarashtra's son, the king, spoke these words to Karna, his brothers and the son of Subala, “Beyond doubt, the words of the Brahmanas are entirely liked by me. If you too relish them, express it without delay.” Thus appealed, they all said unto the king, “So be it.” Then the king one by one appointed persons to their respective tasks; and desired all the artisans to construct the sacrificial plough. All that had been commanded to be done, was gradually executed.
Then all the artisans, the principal counsellors, and the highly wise Vidura said unto Dhritarashtra's son,
"All the preparations for the excellent sacrifice have been made, O king! and the time also has come, O Bharata! The exceedingly precious golden plough has been constructed.”
Hearing this, that best of kings, Dhritarashtra's son commanded that prime among sacrifices to be commenced. Then commenced that sacrifice sanctified by mantras, and abounding in edibles, and the son of Gandhari was duly initiated according to the ordinance. Dhritarashtra, and the illustrious Vidura, and Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and the celebrated Gandhari experienced great delight. Duryodhana despatched swift messengers to invite the princes and the Brahmanas. Mounting fleet vehicles they went to the respective directions assigned to them. Then to a certain messenger on the point of setting out, Duhshasana said,
“Go speedily to the woods of Dwaita; and in that forest duly invite the Brahmanas and those wicked persons, the Pandavas.”
Thereupon, he repaired there, and bowing down to all the Pandavas, said,
“Having acquired immense wealth by his native prowess, that best of kings and foremost of Kurus, Duryodhana, O monarch! is celebrating a sacrifice. There are going from various directions the kings and the Brahmanas. O king! I have been sent by the high-souled Kaurava. That king and lord of men, Dhritarashtra's son, invites you. It befits you, therefore, to witness the delightful sacrifice of that monarch.”
Hearing these words of the messenger, that tiger among kings, the royal Yudhishthira, said,
“By good luck it is that, that enhancer of the glory of his ancestors, king Suyodhana is celebrating this best of sacrifices. We should certainly repair there; but we cannot do now; for till the completion of the thirteenth year, we shall have to observe our vow.”
Hearing this speech of Yudhishthira the just, Bhima said these words,
“Then will king Yudhishthira the just go there, when he will cast Duryodhana into the fire kindled by weapons. Do you say unto Suyodhana: “When after the expiration of the thirteenth year, that lord of men, the Pandava, will, in the sacrifice of battle, pour upon the Dhritarashtras, the clarified butter of his ire, then will I come!”
But the other Pandavas did not say anything unpleasant.
The messenger on his return related unto Dhritarashtra's son all as it had fallen out. Then there came to the city of Dhritarashtra many foremost of men, lords of various countries, and highly virtuous Brahmanas. Duly received in order according to the ordinance, those lords of men experienced great delight and were all well-pleased. That foremost among monarchs – Dhritarashtra - surrounded by all the Kauravas, experienced the height of joy, and spoke unto Vidura, saying,
“Do you, O Kshatta! speedily so act that all persons in the sacrificial compound may be served with food, be refreshed and satisfied.”
Thereupon, assenting to that order, the learned Vidura versed in morality, cheerfully entertained all the orders in proper measure with meat and beverages to eat and drink, and fragrant garland and various kinds of attire. Having constructed pavilions for their accommodation, that hero and foremost of kings, duly entertained the princes and the Brahmanas by thousands, and also bestowing upon them wealth of various kinds, bade them farewell. Having dismissed all the kings, he entered Hastinapura, surrounded by his brothers, and in company with Karna and Subala's son.
While Duryodhana was entering the city, the panegyrists eulogized the prince of unfailing prowess. Others also eulogized that mighty bowman and foremost of kings. Sprinkling over him fried paddy and sandal paste the citizens said, “By good luck it is, O king! that your sacrifice has been completed without obstruction.” Some, more reckless of speech, that were present there, said unto that lord of the earth, “Surely this your sacrifice cannot be compared with Yudhishthira's: nor does this come up to a sixteenth part of that sacrifice.” Thus spoke unto that king some that were reckless of consequences. His friends, however, said, “This sacrifice of yours has surpassed all others. Yayati and Nahusha, and Mandhata and Bharata, having been sanctified by celebrating such a sacrifice, have all gone to heaven.” Hearing such agreeable words from his friends, that monarch, well-pleased, entered the city and finally his own abode. Then, worshipping the feet of his father and mother and of others headed by Bhishma, Drona and Kripa, and of the wise Vidura, and worshipped in turn by his younger brothers, that delighter of brothers sat down upon an excellent seat, surrounded by the latter. The Suta's son, rising up, said,
“By good luck it is, O foremost of the Bharata race! that this mighty sacrifice of yours has been brought to a close. When, however, the sons of Pritha shall have been slain in battle and you will have completed the Rajasuya sacrifice, once again, O lord of men! shall I honour you thus.”
Then that mighty king, the illustrious son of Dhritarashtra, replied unto him,
“Truly has this been spoken by you. When, O foremost of men! the wicked-minded Pandavas have been slain, and when also the grand Rajasuya has been celebrated by me, then you shall again, O hero! honour me thus.”
Having said this, the Kaurava embraced Karna, and began to think of the Rajasuya, that foremost of sacrifices. That best of kings also addressed the Kurus around him, saying,
“When shall I, you Kauravas, having slain all the Pandavas, celebrate that costly and foremost of sacrifices, the Rajasuya.”
Then spoke Karna unto him, saying,
“Hear me, O elephant among kings! So long as I do not slay Arjuna, I shall not allow any one to wash my feet, nor shall I taste meat. I shall observe the Asura vow and whoever may solicit me (for any thing), I never shall say, 'I have it not.”
When Karna had thus vowed to slay Arjuna in battle, those mighty charioteers and bowmen, the sons of Dhritarashtra, sent up a loud cheer; and Dhritarashtra's sons thought that the Pandavas had already been conquered. Then that chief of kings, the graceful Duryodhana, leaving those bulls among men, entered his apartment, like the lord Kubera entering the garden of Chitraratha. All those mighty bowmen also went to their respective quarters. 
Note this is an interesting chapter from Mahabharata because when the Pandavas were in exile Karna conquered India and did a Vaisnava Yanja supposed to please the Brahmins ,cows, and Lord Visnu ,because the Pandavas had recently done the Rajasurya Sacrifice as we read in Krsna book and Sisupala had been killed on that occasion ,but we can see in this chapter how little respect Karna had for Bhismadeva and after doing this Vaisnava Yajna in name only , then Karna did an Asura vow ,what ever that is , it was to kill Arjuna and thus him being killed for all his offenses at Kuruksetra was fair ,it also appears from this chapter the Kauravas at time ate meat , maybe often ? Not sure , we know they drank wine, and hat lots of interest in women and wealth and power it was obvious the Kauravas and Karna were demons