Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

Myths of the Hindus Sf Buddhistsconcourse of tributary sovereigns, and it was well knownconcourse of feudatories lurked immensethat in this greatItdangers. was at such gatherings that revolutions wereapt to originate.It behoved him who would offer thesacrifice, therefore, to think well over the state of things,and consider clearly what he was attempting. Successful,he might expect to be regarded as over-lord of the wholeempire for life. But the smallest false step might resultin supreme disaster, hurling him from the throne and evenbringing about a civil war.The Counsel of KrishnaEven as Yudhishthira had thought, whilst others lightlycounselled him to undertake the sacrifice,could point out to him the train of thoughtKrishna alonethat shouldguide a monarch face to face with so grave an enterprise.Point by point he discussed with him the political state ofrival kingdoms and the chances of stability in the countryat large.Thus he led him to see what wars must beundertaken and what areas must yet be subjugated beforethe imperial sacrifice could be offered. But Krishnaencouraged Yudhishthira, no less warmly than his ownministers had done, as to his personal fitness and theappropriate condition of the home-kingdom and itsgovernment for the proud position that he desired to makehis own. Nor did Yudhishthira or any of his brotherssuspect that, just as this festival would establish them inthe over-lordship, so it was destined to reveal before theeyes of all men, and not only to the trusted few whoalready knew it, the greatness and power of Krishna himself, who was, indeed, no king, only because he was so farabove all earthly kings.Having taken the advice of this mighty counsellor,152