Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

The Quarrel for PrecedenceYudhishthira proceeded to carry it out in every particular,and not until all was finished would he announce hisintention of holdingthe coronation festival. Even afterthis the preparations for the sacrifice took a long time tomake, but finallyall was ready, and in every directioninvitations were sent out, and kings and heroes began toAnd there was one there, Narada by name, whopour in.had the inner sight,and he, looking upon that greatassembly and seeing the Lord Krishna as its true centreand occasion, was filled with awe, and where others sawonly brilliance and festivity he was all reverence and satwatching, lost in worship.Now when the last day of the sacrifice was come and thesacred water was about to be sprinkled on the head ofYudhishthira, it was suggested by Bhishma, head of boththe royal houses, that, as a matter of courtesy to the invitedguests, homage should first be done to each one of themin turn, according to his rank and precedence. And, addedthe old grandfather as his eyes dwelt fondly on the faceof Krishna, to him first of all, as the incarnation of God,let these royal honours be paid as chief. And Krishnahimself consenting also, the honours were paid.The Quarrelfor PrecedenceBut one there was amongst the assembled kings whogrudged the precedence given to Krishna in the midst ofsovereigns, as if he also had been a ruling monarch. Andthis guest, Shishupala by name, broke out into bitter reproaches against Bhishma and Yudhishthira for what heregarded as the insult done to the tributary vassals in thusputting before them one who could lay no claim to precedence by right of independence, or long alliance, or ageand kinship. Was Krishna, he asked, the oldest who was153