Mahabharata, Epic of the Bharatas

Book XII. Aswa-Medha (Sacrifice of the Horse) – 144
Famed Acharyas versed in Vedas to the city held their way,
Brahmacharis with grass-girdle, chanting sweet the saman lay,
Welcomed Kuru’s pious monarch, saint and sage and man of grace,
And with gentle condescension showed each priest his fitting place.
[361] Skilled mechanics, cunning artists, raised the structures for the rite,
And with every needful object graced the sacrificial site,
Every duty thus completed, joyful was Yudhishthir’s mind,
And he blessed his faithful brothers with an elder’s blessings kind.
II. The Feasting
Men in nations are assembled, hymns are sung by saint and sage,
And in learnéd disputations keen disputants oft engage,
And the concourse of the monarchs view the splendour of the rite,
Like the glorious sky of INDRA is the sacrificial site!
Bright festoons and flaming streamers are on golden arches hung,
Groups of men and gay-dressed women form a bright and joyous throng,
Jars of cool and sparkling waters, vessels rich with gold inlaid,
Costly cups and golden vases are in order due arrayed.
Sacrificial stakes of timber with their golden fastenings graced,
Consecrated by the mantra are in sumptuous order placed,
Countless creatures of the wide earth, fishes from the lake and flood,
Buffaloes and bulls from pasture, beasts of prey from jungle wood,
Birds and every egg-born creature, insects that from moisture spring,
Denizens of cave and mountain for the sacrifice they bring.
Noble chiefs and mighty monarchs gaze in wonder on the site,
Filled with every living object, corn and cattle for the rite,
Curd and cake and sweet confection are for feasting Brahmans spread,
And a hundred thousand people are with sumptuous viands fed!
[362] With the accents of the rain-cloud drum and trumpet raise their voice,
Speak Yudhishthir’s noble bounty, bid the sons of men rejoice,